'China's n-power plants generally safe'

China's operating nuclear power units enjoy a relatively good safety record, and the quality of the units under construction has been well controlled, a top nuclear watchdog official of China was quoted as saying Wednesday.

No serious operational incidents have occurred in the 30 years since China launched its first nuclear power plant, Xinhua quoted Li Ganjie, vice minister of environmental protection and head of the National Nuclear Safety Administration, as saying in a press conference.

In 1984, the country began to build its first nuclear power plant, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The domestically designed facility was put into operation in 1991.

China now has 19 operating nuclear power units and 29 units under construction, ranking it as one of the biggest nuclear power nations in terms of the number of such facilities, Li said, adding: "China's nuclear power development over 30 years has generally been smooth, healthy and safe."