Published on: 2026-11-10
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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On November 5, the Eighth Thematic Event “Culture of Excellence,” organized by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and hosted by Jiangsu Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (JNPC), took place in Lianyungang. At the roundtable dedicated to nuclear safety issues, industry masters, leading specialists from production sites, and experts from related fields gathered. Viewing nuclear safety as the foundation of development, the participants discussed the evolution of China’s nuclear power — from technology borrowing and independent breakthroughs to reaching leading positions worldwide.
Wan Zipeng, senior duty operator at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant and recipient of the 2026 Jiangsu Province Good Person Award, has been working on the front line for over twenty years. According to him, there are currently a total of 8 power units in operation and under construction at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, 6 of which are built using the Russian technological scheme with VVER reactors. Starting from the commissioning of units No. 1 and No. 2 with the participation of the Russian side, moving to independent commissioning of units No. 3 and No. 4, and culminating in the independent design and construction of the non-nuclear island for units No. 7 and No. 8, as well as the successful integration and application of the domestic DCS system, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant has undergone the process of introducing, mastering, and further developing innovative technologies. Today, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant has become a platform for the transfer of experience in VVER technology: Hungarian specialists have repeatedly visited the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant to study experience in commissioning and operation management.
Han Jie, senior technician at Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, chief technical expert of CNNC, and holder of the title “Best Technical Specialist of the Country,” has extensive experience in maintaining AP1000 equipment. Rather than blindly following initial foreign designs, he and his team tackle complex technical challenges. He holds over a hundred patents, and thanks to his independent optimization solutions, he has strengthened the safety foundation of the equipment. Han Jie traveled to the Vogtle power plant in the USA to provide technical support. With his deep technical knowledge, he was able to resolve long-standing equipment issues, change the established perceptions among foreign colleagues about the capabilities of Chinese specialists, earn recognition in the international professional community, and thereby promote deeper cooperation.
According to the WANO Comprehensive Index, China has maintained global leadership in nuclear power units for ten consecutive years. High safety performance has laid a solid foundation for promoting domestic technologies abroad. The recipient of the “China Skill Award,” Qi Hongchang, has been assisting in the implementation of nuclear projects in Pakistan for many years. His work covers the entire cycle—from site selection and construction to operation, maintenance, overhaul, and personnel training. He actively solves complex technical problems at power units, conducts experience exchanges in safety culture, systematically develops local technical teams, and transfers Chinese expertise in safe operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants to them.
Young specialists working on the front lines and experts from related fields also shared their impressions. Yan Wensin, the world’s first female operator at an active Hualong One reactor unit, noted that Chinese nuclear energy has progressed from following leaders to sharing its own experience. According to her, nuclear safety affects the well-being of millions of families, so it is necessary to strictly follow regulations and responsibly carry out duty shifts. Zhang Limin, captain of an aircraft for Xiamen Airlines, pointed out that nuclear energy workers adhere to the ‘zero tolerance for errors’ standard, focus on their own developments, and share experience in safety. They are the reliable, though not always visible, guardians of the country’s energy security.
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