The central government's efforts to step up the country's capacity to generate nuclear power will soon be embodied in the formation of a new nuclear technology company.

According to the office preparing to open this corporation, which began work in September, it will play a leading role in the tendering, technology transfer, negotiation and signing of contracts for nuclear power projects.

The tendering of new nuclear power projects based in Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces has actually attracted several heavyweights of the industry from the United States and Europe.

This is a significant step to enhance China's self-reliance in the field of nuclear power.

With a company owned by the central government to deal with nuclear power businesses, the country's nuclear power industry would have a handy instrument in drawing the overall map of developing nuclear power.

The new round of energy shortages across the country, which began last year and is ongoing, is a real problem that needs to be settled. If tapped properly, nuclear energy can play an important role in alleviating the country's energy plight.

China has acquired the ability to build nuclear power plants. According to Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan, in certain important fields, the country has approached or reached international levels in the construction of nuclear power stations.

As long as the country's existing mechanism on safety and accident prevention is in place, nuclear power plants offer an environment-friendly, safe and efficient solution to ease the nation's energy shortage.

As well as offering more electricity with less pollution, the development of nuclear power plants also bears remarkable significance in safeguarding the country's energy security and the sound growth of the economy.

Of course, there are still many other concerns to be addressed in developing nuclear power, including safety in the operation of the power plants and the processing of nuclear waste.

It is believed that these concerns will be carefully addressed once the nuclear technology corporation starts to operate.

(China Daily December 14, 2004)