Putin, Xi hail ties at launch of work on nuclear plants in China

Russia is helping build Tianwan and Xudabao power projects

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an opening ceremony of the Russian-Chinese nuclear energy cooperation project via a video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia May 19, 2021. Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom is currently involved in the construction of four nuclear generating units in China, two at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in the coastal Jiangsu province and two at Xudapu nuclear power plant in the northeastern Liaoning province. Sputnik/Sergey Ilyin/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed close ties between their countries as they launched via videoconference work on Russian-built nuclear power plants in China.

The heads of state initiated work on pouring concrete into new units of the Tianwan and Xudabao nuclear power plants.

Built jointly with Russia, the Tianwan plant has been operating since 2007, while the Xudabao station is still under construction.

“Russian and Chinese specialists are implementing a truly landmark flagship joint project,” the Kremlin cited Mr. Putin as saying.

Describing the nuclear reactors as “powerful” and “modern”, the Russian leader said that they “meet all safety requirements and the highest environmental standards”.

He said that the new units will be functional by 2026-2028 and that Russia and China are prepared to further develop nuclear power plants through joint construction.

“We can say that Russian-Chinese relations have reached the highest level in history,” Mr. Putin said.

Mr. Xi called nuclear energy a “strategic priority for cooperation” between the two countries, according to a readout published by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Mr. Xi called for a “more equitable, balanced, inclusive, open and shared global energy governance system,” adding that Beijing and Moscow should “play a constructive role in achieving global sustainable development goals.”