A Chinese top official in atomic energy says that China is taking steps to increase the proportion of nuclear power in its overall energy supply, in what is an important shift in the country's energy development strategy.

Zhang Huazhu, chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority made his remarks at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

He noted that by this July, there were 9 nuclear power plants in operation, whose total capacity reached 7 million kilowatts. The total capacity of nuclear power in China is expected to reach 9 million kilowatts next year.

Zhang Huazhu also stressed China's particular attention to nuclear safety, saying that the government has "established a safety supervision and management system and nuclear safety standard in line with international practices."

(CRI September 1, 2004)