China, France ink aviation, nuke deals
“The partnership between France and China on nuclear energy is a perfect match of cutting-edge technology and management experience with great market potential”, said Zhou Dadi, former director of the National Development and Reform Commission’s Energy Research Institute.
Xia Yishan, an energy expert at China Institute of International Studies, noted that more than 70 percent of the energy in France is generated by nuclear plants, while in the United States and Japan the rates range between 20 to 30 percent. In China, nuclear reactors account for one percent of energy production.
“Given the fact that dozens more nuclear power plants are to be built here in the future, China cannot reach the target without support from developed countries, especially France,” Xia said.
The two sides also signed nuclear-related deals to work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, safe disposal of nuclear waste, and equipment purchase from France for Chinese nuclear power plants.
Beijing and Paris also signed three