Vietnam asks China to exchange information on 3 nuclear power plants

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said that China's operation of nuclear power plants needs to ensure safety for its neighbors and asked Beijing to soon have an information exchange mechanism.

Three new Chinese nuclear plants are located close to the Vietnamese border. Graphics: Tien Thanh

"Vietnam has proposed that China and Vietnam soon establish a mechanism for regular information exchange on three nuclear power projects near the border," Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said at a press conference this afternoon.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, China has just put into operation three nuclear power plants including Fangcheng (Guangxi) with a capacity of 1,000 MW, Changjiang (Guangdong) with a capacity of 600 MW and the 650 MW unit of Shuangjiang (Hainan Island).

These factories are all located near the northern border of Vietnam, the nearest is Phong Thanh, only 50 km from Mong Cai, Quang Ninh, and less than 500 km from Hanoi.

Vietnamese experts say nuclear accidents are very dangerous because they spread radiation over large areas, so Vietnam needs to increase monitoring and come up with timely solutions when an accident occurs, and have a regular exchange mechanism with China.

Mr. Vuong Huu Tan, Director of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety (Ministry of Science and Technology) said that Vietnam and China are both members of the Nuclear Safety Convention, each member has the right to request other members to report on the safety status of any plant. In the near future, the Department will work with the Chinese nuclear safety agency to agree on information exchange on this issue.

Spokesperson Le Hai Binh emphasized Vietnam's stance that countries building and operating nuclear power plants need to ensure compliance with the Nuclear Safety Convention and relevant regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ensuring no impact on the safety and environment of neighboring countries.

According to VNE