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Updated October 2008
Nuclear Chronology
2008
7 January 2008
During a visit to China, U.S. Nuclear Regulator Commission (NRC) chairman, Dale Klein, meets with Li Ganjie, head of China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA). Klein expresses concerns over counterfeit and substandard equipment produced in China for use in reactors in the United States and worldwide. Li agrees to a proposal by Klein to set up a vender inspection program for Chinese equipment makers. In addition both agencies agree to have NRC staff members observe safety-related assembly and construction work on two AP1000 power reactors that will be built by Westinghouse at the Sanmen and Haiyang sites.
— Mark Hibbs and Daniel Horner "Klein says visit to China highlighted countries' joint work and interests," Inside NRC, 28 April 2008, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. Mark Hibbs "Non-transparent lines of command adds to concern about Chinese equipment," Inside NRC, 28 April, 2008 in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
11 January 2008
A forum hosted by the New American Foundation highlights concerns about the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s procurement of nuclear powered submarines capable of reaching targets within the United States with nuclear tipped missiles. Ronald O’Rourke, a defense analyst with the Congressional Research Service (CRS), believes that the US Navy is not requesting sufficient funds to keep pace with China’s growing submarine fleet. Attendees of the conference discuss this problem in light of concerns that new generation Chinese submarines represent the capacity for China to retaliate in the event that it is subject to a first strike by the United States.
— "Rising China Threat Unmet If U.S. Navy Doesn't Seek Funds To Counter It, Analysts Say," Defense Daily, 11 January 2008, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
28 January 2008
China’s Minister of Civil Affairs, Li Xueju, publicly announces that the Chinese government is granting compensation to workers who were involved in China’s nuclear program. In 2007, a sum total of $2.07 billion dollars was paid to veterans and families. Those compensated would have had to participate in China’s nuclear tests. China conducted 45 tests at Lop Nur in Xinjiang province between 1964 and 1996, when China signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
— David Lague, "China Starts Payments To Atom Test Personnel," International Herald Tribune, 28 January 2008, in IHT.com, <http://www.iht.com>.
1 April 2008
According to an article in the Kanwa Asian Defense Review, the PLA’s Second Artillery Command is focusing more on developing its nuclear capability over conventional with the increase of DF31 and JL2 missiles in service.
— "PLA's Nuclear Warheads Stockpile Increasing," Kanwa Asian Defense Review, 1 April 2008, in "Nuclear Weapon Issue" by Jeff Chen and Andrei Chang: "PLA's Nuclear Warheads Stockpile Increasing," OSC Document CPP20080411702007.
16 April 2008
A report in Jane’s Defence Weekly confirms the existence of an underground nuclear submarine base at Sanya on Hainan Island through the use of high-resolution satellite imagery. The existence of this base was first suspected in 2002 by military analysts. The Sanya location could be a base for nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.
— Richard Fisher, "Satellite Imagery Confirms Nuclear Sub Base in China," Jane’s Defence Weekly, 16 April 2008.
8 May 2008
The China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group receives financing from the Bank of China and the China Development Bank for the construction of two nuclear power plants. These two new plants, the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), will add to CGNPC’s energy production which is, as of March 2008, 3,948MW/yr - nearly 44 percent of China’s total nuclear energy production. The Taishan NPP, built by AREVA, produces 1,700MW. The Bank of China in conjunction with China Development Bank has also provided loan services to construct the first phase of Ningde NPP. This project aims to construct four 1,000MW reactors. As part of China’s 2020 energy expansion program, nuclear power group enjoy tax exemption from value-added tax in order to promote commercial prosperity among China’s nuclear power industry.
— "Bank Finance for Chinese NPPs," McCloskey NuclearBusiness, 8 May 2008.
8 May 2008
Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi meets with Pakistan officials for the purpose of building a strategic energy partnership. Yang also expresses China’s support for energy assistance to Bangladesh. China pledges to assist Pakistan to reach its 2030 nuclear energy security plans. The Chinese reactor under construction in Pakistan by the China National Nuclear Company is the Chasnupp 300MWe pressurized water reactor.
— "China to Assist Pakistan and Bangladesh," McCloskey NuclearBusiness, 8 May 2008.
12 May 2008
An earthquake in the western Chinese province of Sichuan prompts authorities to launch an emergency nuclear action plan. Sichuan province is home to many nuclear-related sites used for research, nuclear fuel production and the design and manufacture of nuclear weapons. According to the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, no leaks are detected at the major nuclear sites, but there is damage to older nuclear instillations, which are in the process of being decommissioned, and do not have stringent anti-seismic construction regulations.
— "Quake triggered a nuclear emergency - Chinese hunt for reactor leaks as toll tops 50,000," Sunday Mail (Queensland, Australia), 18 May, 2008 in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
24 May 2008
China and Russia sign a deal worth approximately US$900 million for Russia to build a gas centrifuge nuclear fuel plant for uranium enrichment in China, as well as supply semi-enriched uranium for the plant.
— China and Russia seal nuclear deal; World: news bulletin, The Western Mail, 24 May 2008 in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>, "Leaders of Russia, China sign declaration on international affairs, agreements," Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama, 24 May 2008 in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
25 June 2008
The Chinese government anticipates that it will demand an additional 45GW of nuclear power by 2030. China’s 2020 Goal had previously projected a 5 percent growth to expand nuclear energy production to reach 40,000MW/yr.
— Daniel Goldstein with Christina Burton, "EIA sees $70/b average crude price by 2015;
New supply to come as demand grows by more than 50%" Oilgram News, 26 June 2008, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 June 2008
China National Nuclear Company (CNNC) has developed a nuclear power plant simulator that is made to improve training for nuclear power plant operators. CNNC has signed contracts with the Qinshan, Fangjiashan and Fuqing NPPs to provide this technology.
— "China Develops Nuclear Power Plant Training Simulator," Xinhua News Agency 30 June 2008, OSC Document CPP20080630968136.
19 August
China and Jordan sign an agreement setting up a legal framework for nuclear co-operation between the two countries. The agreement identifies research into the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the construction and design of nuclear power plants, and the exploration for and processing of uranium in Jordan as fields of cooperation between the two countries.
— "Jordan, China sign nuclear agreement," BBC Monitoring Middle East – Political, 19 August 2008 in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
