China and France Launch "Sustainable" Nuclear Power Cooperation

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Fanchan Floriani said on the 28th that the French government has decided to clarify the relationship between the government and enterprises and foreign partners in the export of nuclear power industry, but at the same time, it believes that the development with China is "balanced" and "sustainable." The nuclear power cooperation relationship has strategic significance.

In September this year, the French Nuclear Policy Committee stated that the government played a "full-scale" role in the export of nuclear power industry, and the external relations of exporting enterprises should be included within the framework set by the government. Guided by this principle, the Commission decided to sort out and summarize the French nuclear power industry and its major foreign partners.

Floriani told reporters at a regular press conference of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs that when it comes to future development issues, the French Nuclear Policy Committee believes that the development of a "balanced" and "sustainable" nuclear power cooperation relationship with China has Strategic significance. EDF and Areva Nuclear Group should develop an industrial partnership with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group Co., Ltd. (China Guangdong Nuclear Power) within this framework.

Starting from the beginning of this year, France’s “New Observer” weekly magazine and “Road of Ducks” have accused France Power “with its backs on the government” and France’s largest nuclear power company, Areva Group, to “arbitrarily” sign a cooperation agreement with China General Nuclear Power to develop a new type of nuclear power plant. And allegedly transferred part of the French nuclear power industry technology.

Responding to questions from the media, Erve Machono, executive vice president of the French electric power, made an appearance. He said that in November last year, French Power did sign an agreement with China General Nuclear Power. Due to the tension between the French power and Areva, the latter did not participate in the negotiations and signing of the agreement. However, the agreement was frozen by the French government. Later, the relationship between French power and Areva was eased, and Areva was able to participate in the cooperation negotiation with China Guangdong Nuclear Power. The three parties signed a new cooperation agreement one year later.

French Electric said that the tripartite agreement has been approved by the French government, not to mention "reporting the government." The supplementary agreement also strictly regulates the protection of intellectual property rights. The fear of transferring nuclear power technology is completely "groundless."