(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-01 10:24

Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said Friday that China should reach world-class level in the construction of nuclear power plants as soon as possible.

Related readings:  China to double nuclear power capacity by 2020  China's first 3G nuclear power station feasible  Nuclear power is the 'way forward'  Nuclear power plant in Jiangsu to use Russian tech

Zeng made the remark when addressing a ceremony at which the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp signed ordering contracts and cooperative agreements with nine manufacturers including China First Heavy Industries Co.

China should waste no time improving its mastery of the third generation nuclear power technology by combining foreign expertise with self-innovation, he said.

The country must be capable of designing and making key nuclear power equipment on its own and improving the quality of such equipment, he said.

In February, the State Nuclear Power Technology Co signed a framework contract with US-based Westinghouse Electric Co to buy four third-generation pressurized water reactors.

Two reactors will be installed in Sanmen City, East China's Zhejiang Province, and the other two in Haiyang City, East China's Shandong Province.

The third-generation nuclear power technology is expected to be safer and more economical than existing technology.

China is seeking alternatives to coal and oil as its double-digit economic growth faces energy bottlenecks. Nuclear power is expected to play a key role in helping the country develop in an energy-efficient and environment-friendly manner.