China-Russia work meeting and technical seminar on nuclear safety regulation was held in Beijing on 23-24 April. MEE Deputy Director and NNSA Director Liu Hua and Russian Federation Environment, Industry and Nuclear Safety Agency Vice President Alexei Ferapontov attended the Meeting. Both sides reviewed the progress that has been achieved in nuclear safety regulation cooperation since the last meeting, with the cooperation priorities determined for the next meeting.

Both sides introduced their own respective progresses and outcomes achieved recently in nuclear safety regulation. Chinese side described various aspects of MEE/NNSA’s organizational restructuring, current nuclear power expansion, issuing and implementation of Nuclear Safety Act, and nuclear safety regulation for Tianwan NPP. Russian side introduced their results in aspects of nuclear units’ life extension, floating reactors, and safety regulation for nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Subsequently, both sides conducted an in-depth exchange of some technical issues including aging management, non-destructive test of nuclear equipment, and safety review of reprocessing plant.

Both sides agreed that such aspects as safety regulation of VVER unit construction and operation, radioactive waste management, and cooperation with/between technical support organizations will be determined as the subsequent cooperation priorities. Both sides expressed that the cooperation for nuclear safety regulation between China and Russia will be further deepened, and active contribution will be made to the regulation of nuclear safety for both countries and the world.

The next meeting on nuclear safety regulation between both sides is expected to take place in Russia in 2021.