France's Framatome and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) have signed a protocol for the development of global strategic cooperation. They have also renewed a contract under which Framatome will supply nuclear fuel components to CNNC.

The protocol was signed in Beijing during the first visit to China by French President Emmanuel Macron from 8 to 10 January. It was signed by Framatome CEO Bernard Fontana and CNNC Chairman Wang Shoujun.

Framatome - the recently-renamed New NP - said the protocol "is to set up the basis for future strategy and long-term cooperation" between the two companies.

Under the terms of the protocol, Framatome and CNNC plan to extend their cooperation in nuclear fuel design, engineering and services, as well as enhance their collaboration on digital instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants. They also plan to increase their cooperation in maintenance, safety and operation upgrades for plants in operation.

The cooperation protocol actions will be implemented through a joint Framatome-CNNC working group, Framatome said.

The two companies have also renewed for a further ten years a contract between Framatome and CNNC subsidiary China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation (CNEIC) for the supply of nuclear fuel components. CNEIC was established in 1980 as a trading company authorized to carry out import and export trade of uranium products, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear power and technology equipment.

Framatome said it has been supplying fuel components to China for 20 years based on its supply chain in France and China.

Fontana said, "The cooperation protocol and the major nuclear fuel contract renewal signed with our historic Chinese partner are yet more evidence of the quality of [our] commercial and technological relations with CNNC." He added, "They confirm Framatome's international development ambition in China, where 37 nuclear power plants are operating and 20 others are under construction."

During Macron's visit to China, an agreement was also signed to expand cooperation on nuclear power technology between China General Nuclear and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. In addition, New Areva and CNNC agreed to work towards signing a contract for the construction of a used fuel processing and recycling facility in China.

In a joint statement at the conclusion of the visit, President Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping "expressed their high appreciation of the active cooperation between the two countries in the field of civilian nuclear energy and support a deepening of cooperation in the entire nuclear cycle".