Zhang Fubao, vice director of the Systems Engineering Bureau under the State Atomic Energy Authority, said Chinese experts will study current third-generation nuclear power technology, and develop its own reactor by 2017.

"Even by that time, we may still need international cooperation," said Zhang.

The so-called "third-generation" technology is expected to be safer and more economical than existing technology and will be used in new nuclear power plants now being built in China.

The Chinese government wants to raise the proportion of nuclear power in the country's total electric power output from the current 1.9 percent to four percent by 2020. This would require the construction of new power plants with capacity of a total of 30 million kilowatts in 15 years.

Under a framework agreement with US-based Westinghouse signed in December, 2006, China will acquire advance nuclear power technology in exchange for purchasing four nuclear reactors from the Westinghouse.

The deal allows for technology transfers including equipment design nuclear facilities and technical support. The first of the four reactors is expected to begin generating power by 2013, said Zhang.