CNNC and NASA reach an agreement on nuclear power unit construction in Argentina at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 17. [Photo/CNNC] 

Wang Shoujun, chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and Omar Semmoloni, chairman of Argentina's nuclear power giant Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A (NASA), signed a contract concerning Argentina's fourth and fifth nuclear power plants in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Argentina's  President Mauricio Marcri at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 17. 

The move, as part of the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, will boost the development of both countries and increase the number of CNNC’s exported nuclear power units to eight.

Based on the agreements reached between the two sides, CNNC and NASA will start constructing a CANDU-6 700,000-kilowatt-class heavy water reactor nuclear power unit in 2018, and a 1-million-kilowatt-class HPR 1000 pressurized water reactor nuclear power unit in 2020. 

"Argentina is confident in the HPR 1000 and the factory site is ready," said Argentina's President Mauricio Macri while meeting Wang Shoujun, chairman of CNNC on May 16.  

President Mauricio Macri reaffirmed Argentina's willingness to deepen cooperation with CNNC. He also confirmed that Argentina attaches great importance to cooperation with China, and treats it as an important part of the China-Argentina Strategic Partnership. Argentina will establish a special team to drive the business and financing work with China, and push forward the construction work of the heavy water reactor nuclear power unit and HPR 1000 as soon as possible. 

Argentina's President Mauricio Macri (L) and Wang Shoujun (R), chairman of CNNC, shake hands following an agreement reached on nuclear power unit construction at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 17. [Photo/CNNC]

"President Xi Jinping announced new polices beneficial to the partnership between Argentina and China at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, creating new opportunities for companies in the two countries and accelerating cooperation in the nuclear power sector," said Wang Shoujun.

He also claimed that CNNC is willing to cooperate with Argentine companies throughout the whole nuclear industrial chain and new energy sector. Wang expressed his view that this would benefit both sides. 

Infrastructure connectivity is seen as a vital part of building the Belt and Road Initiative trade links. As the only domestic company which has exported nuclear power plants in batches, CNNC has exported six nuclear power units and eight reactors or nuclear power plants to seven countries as well as established tech, economic and trade relationships with some 40 countries and regions in sectors of uranium resources, nuclear fuel and applications of nuclear technology.