China, Russia's firm support for each other shows essence of ties

President Xi Jinping has called on China and Russia to set an example for international nuclear energy cooperation, contribute more solutions to global energy governance and work together to play a positive role in promoting the world's sustainable development.

Xi made the call on Wednesday while addressing an online ceremony to launch the construction of bilateral nuclear energy cooperation projects.

Via video link, Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin heard reports from Chinese and Russian company executives about the development of the projects of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, and Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant in Huludao, Liaoning province.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia, Xi said he and Putin have agreed to advance the higher-level development of bilateral ties in broader fields.

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic and profound changes in the international landscape unseen in a century, the two countries' firm support for each other and their close and effective coordination have demonstrated the essence of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, he said.

While highlighting that nuclear energy is a priority for China and Russia in energy cooperation, which has great significance in their bilateral pragmatic partnership and has delivered many results, Xi said the launch of the four power units at the Tianwan and Xudapu nuclear power plants marks a new major landmark achievement in the countries' nuclear energy cooperation.

He expressed hope that both sides would ensure the safe construction and operation of the projects and set an example for the safe use of nuclear energy worldwide.

Xi underlined the need for both countries to be innovation driven in strengthening scientific and technological cooperation in nuclear energy, and to intensify their cooperation in the basic research and development of key technologies, and to contribute more wisdom to the innovative development of global nuclear energy.

He also called for strategic coordination between the two countries to advance the building of a fairer, more equitable, open and balanced global energy governance system that benefits all.

Saying it is a common responsibility for all countries to cope with climate change, Xi stressed the need for China and Russia to develop more low-carbon cooperation projects to help realize global sustainable development goals.

In his speech, Putin said Russia-China relations are at their best level in history. He said that bilateral nuclear cooperation projects will inject fresh momentum into Russian-Chinese relations, and will also help realize the goal of achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality and make active efforts and contributions to dealing with climate change and promoting human sustainable development.

In June 2018, Xi and Putin witnessed the signing of a package of nuclear energy cooperation deals between China and Russia, and the No 7 and No 8 power units at Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant and the No 3 and No 4 power units at Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant are a major part of this.

Once operational, the four power units will generate 37.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the reduction of 30.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, officials said.

The Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant joint project is viewed as "the model of China-Russia nuclear power cooperation", said Alexander Gavrilin, a Russian expert who worked at the Tianwan plant.

As many Russian technicians have worked on the project, designers and contractors from the Russian team will participate in the construction and will be responsible for device supply, installation and debugging, Gavrilin said.

Engineers from both countries will work together on various safety measures, including a special ventilation system with double protective shells, as well as establishing negative pressure to stop radiation even if accidents happen, he added.