During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain, Oct 19- Oct 23, a Chinese delegation led by Yu Peigen, vice president of the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC), went along to attend an annual China-UK energy dialogue, in London, on Oct 19, resulting in an agreement on a UK-China Research and Innovation Center.

Signing the agreement for the Chinese was Yu and for the British, Richard Maudslay, chairman of the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL). The deal is backed by China’s National Energy Administration and the UK's Energy & Climate Change Dept (DECC).

The center has received UK funding and is considered a milestone in Chinese cooperation with a developed country in R&D in nuclear technology.

The center is important for the sale of China’s nuclear technology and for attracting advanced European technology and scientists and it reflects Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai’s statement on international cooperation.

During the dialogue, Yu spoke with Andrea Leadsom, minister of the DECC, on new nuclear power plants, the Joint Research and Innovation Center, and the industrial chain of fuel, with Leadsom saying she appreciates China’s cooperation projects with UK partners.