Jul 15, 2025
Chinese authorities need to keep pace with the growth of the nuclear sector.
Although China has made considerable advancements in enhancing its nuclear safety regulations, the staffing of its regulatory body must keep pace with the rapidly expanding nuclear industry, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert team.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team completed a 12-day mission in China on July 11, conducting a comprehensive review of all facilities and activities. This 24-member expert mission was commissioned by the government and facilitated by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA)), which oversees nuclear safety in China.
IRRS missions aim to improve the efficiency of national nuclear and radiation safety regulations based on IAEA safety standards and international best practices, while acknowledging each country's responsibility for ensuring safety.
The previous IRRS mission to China was a follow-up review conducted in 2016, when there were 32 operational nuclear power reactors. Currently, China operates 59 reactors that produce around 5% of its electricity, with 32 more under construction and plans for an additional 21 units.
The IRRS team evaluated various aspects, including government and regulatory body responsibilities, regulatory activities such as authorization, inspection, and enforcement, the development of regulations, emergency preparedness, radiation source management, research reactors, nuclear power plants, fuel cycle facilities, radioactive waste management, transport of radioactive materials, decommissioning, and occupational and public exposure controls.
During the mission, two policy issues were highlighted: the influence of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence on regulation and the human resource shortages resulting from the increasing number of operating reactors in China.
While recognizing several positive practices by the NSSA, the team provided recommendations for further enhancing China's regulatory system, including clarifying emergency protection strategies, documenting inspection plan development processes, implementing a comprehensive safety culture oversight program, and ensuring timely updates to regulations aligned with IAEA standards.
Mark Foy, the IRRS team leader, praised China's significant progress in building a capable, independent regulatory body and fostering a robust nuclear safety culture. He noted that the rapid growth of China's nuclear power sector necessitates the recruitment and training of more nuclear professionals in regulation. He commended the use of technology to support national regulatory effectiveness as a model for others.
Baotong Dong, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment and NNSA Administrator, stated that China has developed a regulatory system consistent with international standards suited to its national context. The government plans to enhance regulatory capacities, accelerate the modernization of its nuclear safety regulatory system, and support high-level nuclear safety alongside quality development in the nuclear sector. China is committed to contributing to global nuclear safety governance and elevating international nuclear safety standards.
The final report from the mission will be submitted to the Chinese government within about three months, and the government intends to make it public. China may consider inviting an IRRS follow-up mission in the future.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team completed a 12-day mission in China on July 11, conducting a comprehensive review of all facilities and activities. This 24-member expert mission was commissioned by the government and facilitated by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA)), which oversees nuclear safety in China.
IRRS missions aim to improve the efficiency of national nuclear and radiation safety regulations based on IAEA safety standards and international best practices, while acknowledging each country's responsibility for ensuring safety.
The previous IRRS mission to China was a follow-up review conducted in 2016, when there were 32 operational nuclear power reactors. Currently, China operates 59 reactors that produce around 5% of its electricity, with 32 more under construction and plans for an additional 21 units.
The IRRS team evaluated various aspects, including government and regulatory body responsibilities, regulatory activities such as authorization, inspection, and enforcement, the development of regulations, emergency preparedness, radiation source management, research reactors, nuclear power plants, fuel cycle facilities, radioactive waste management, transport of radioactive materials, decommissioning, and occupational and public exposure controls.
During the mission, two policy issues were highlighted: the influence of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence on regulation and the human resource shortages resulting from the increasing number of operating reactors in China.
While recognizing several positive practices by the NSSA, the team provided recommendations for further enhancing China's regulatory system, including clarifying emergency protection strategies, documenting inspection plan development processes, implementing a comprehensive safety culture oversight program, and ensuring timely updates to regulations aligned with IAEA standards.
Mark Foy, the IRRS team leader, praised China's significant progress in building a capable, independent regulatory body and fostering a robust nuclear safety culture. He noted that the rapid growth of China's nuclear power sector necessitates the recruitment and training of more nuclear professionals in regulation. He commended the use of technology to support national regulatory effectiveness as a model for others.
Baotong Dong, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment and NNSA Administrator, stated that China has developed a regulatory system consistent with international standards suited to its national context. The government plans to enhance regulatory capacities, accelerate the modernization of its nuclear safety regulatory system, and support high-level nuclear safety alongside quality development in the nuclear sector. China is committed to contributing to global nuclear safety governance and elevating international nuclear safety standards.
The final report from the mission will be submitted to the Chinese government within about three months, and the government intends to make it public. China may consider inviting an IRRS follow-up mission in the future.