China: commissioning of the first locally produced nuclear reactor

President Xi Jinping announced China's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 during the United Nations virtual forum.

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China commissioned its first nuclear reactor 100% “made in China” on Friday November 27.

A symbolic first for Beijing, which dreams of itself as a world leader in the fight for the climate, and a strategic issue for the Chinese regime. 

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With our correspondent in Beijing

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Beijing has just taken a big step in its desire for nuclear independence from Western technology.

Dubbed Hualong One, China's first nuclear reactor can produce up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, and reduce carbon emissions by 8.16 million tonnes, according to the Chinese National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC ).

Work began in 2015. 

Until now, Beijing has relied on cooperation with other foreign powers for new generation reactors, but this change in strategy is part of the Chinese desire to strengthen its autonomy in strategic sectors, in an international context complicated by tensions trade with the United States.  

It is also a first step for China in its quest to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, a goal announced with great fanfare a few weeks ago by President Xi Jinping at the

. 

Until now, China's nuclear power plants have been relegated to the background, supplying just 5% of the country's electricity needs in 2019. But that is set to change quickly.

Beijing is estimated to overtake France in 2022 to become the second power in this sector behind the United States.

China currently has 47 nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 48.75 million KW, ranking third behind the United States and France.

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