Yu Jianfeng, chairman of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), attended and addressed the 2022 Annual Conference of the Group of Vienna via video link, on Sept 6.

The 2022 annual conference brought together representatives of 12 nuclear firms from nine countries, namely China, the US, Russia, Britain, France, Finland, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. They held discussions and exchanges on the development, opportunities and challenges of global nuclear energy, and on the efforts of the Group of Vienna in coordinating international standards in the building of small modular reactors (SMRs) and in ensuring the operational safety of SMRs.

Noting that nuclear power is vital to guarantee energy safety and promote the realization of low-carbon development, and that there is a bright prospect for the international community to tap the potential of nuclear energy and benefit from the application of nuclear technology, Yu said that more efforts should be made to strengthen communication with the public, conduct diverse science popularization publicity, and build a more positive image of the nuclear industry in a drive to facilitate the development of the nuclear sector.

Yu briefed attendees on the progress made by China in the building of SMRs and called for international cooperation on further enhancing the cost-effective management and competitiveness of SMRs. He said that nuclear enterprises should strengthen their communication with watchdogs and the public through the IAEA, establish guidance and standards for SMRs, and aim to achieve a wide application of SMRs in the supply of electricity power, the desalination of seawater, regional heating services and industrial heat supply.

The Group of Vienna was founded at the proposal of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi in September 2021. It aims to provide a high-level dialogue platform for the global nuclear industry, and make full use of nuclear technology in responding to climate change and safeguarding human health.