President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin witness via
video link the groundbreaking ceremonies for bilateral nuclear energy
cooperation projects on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua] China, Russia's firm support for each other shows essence of ties President Xi Jinping has called on China and Russia to set an example
for international nuclear energy cooperation, contribute more solutions
to global energy governance and work together to play a positive role
in promoting the world's sustainable development. Xi made the call on Wednesday while addressing an online ceremony to
launch the construction of bilateral nuclear energy cooperation
projects. Via video link, Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin heard
reports from Chinese and Russian company executives about the
development of the projects of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in
Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, and Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant in
Huludao, Liaoning province. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of
the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China
and Russia, Xi said he and Putin have agreed to advance the
higher-level development of bilateral ties in broader fields. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic and profound changes in the
international landscape unseen in a century, the two countries' firm
support for each other and their close and effective coordination have
demonstrated the essence of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic
partnership of coordination for a new era, he said. While highlighting that nuclear energy is a priority for China and
Russia in energy cooperation, which has great significance in their
bilateral pragmatic partnership and has delivered many results, Xi said
the launch of the four power units at the Tianwan and Xudapu nuclear
power plants marks a new major landmark achievement in the countries'
nuclear energy cooperation. He expressed hope that both sides would ensure the safe construction
and operation of the projects and set an example for the safe use of
nuclear energy worldwide. Xi underlined the need for both countries to be innovation driven in
strengthening scientific and technological cooperation in nuclear
energy, and to intensify their cooperation in the basic research and
development of key technologies, and to contribute more wisdom to the
innovative development of global nuclear energy. He also called for strategic coordination between the two countries
to advance the building of a fairer, more equitable, open and balanced
global energy governance system that benefits all. Saying it is a common responsibility for all countries to cope with
climate change, Xi stressed the need for China and Russia to develop
more low-carbon cooperation projects to help realize global sustainable
development goals. In his speech, Putin said Russia-China relations are at their best
level in history. He said that bilateral nuclear cooperation projects
will inject fresh momentum into Russian-Chinese relations, and will also
help realize the goal of achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions and
carbon neutrality and make active efforts and contributions to dealing
with climate change and promoting human sustainable development. In June 2018, Xi and Putin witnessed the signing of a package of
nuclear energy cooperation deals between China and Russia, and the No 7
and No 8 power units at Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant and the No 3 and No 4
power units at Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant are a major part of this. Once operational, the four power units will generate 37.6 billion
kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the reduction of
30.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, officials said. The Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant joint project is viewed as "the model
of China-Russia nuclear power cooperation", said Alexander Gavrilin, a
Russian expert who worked at the Tianwan plant. As many Russian technicians have worked on the project, designers and
contractors from the Russian team will participate in the construction
and will be responsible for device supply, installation and debugging,
Gavrilin said. Engineers from both countries will work together on various safety
measures, including a special ventilation system with double protective
shells, as well as establishing negative pressure to stop radiation even
if accidents happen, he added.
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