Fukushima Nuclear Accident Implications for the Nuclear Power Development in China

The Fukushima nuclear accident is prompting countries around the world to reassess the safety of nuclear power plant and their nuclear development aspirations. The course of Fukushima nuclear accident, the accident status to date are summarized, the global support for nuclear energy after Fukushima are stated, and the nuclear power development in China, China responses to Fukushima accident are analyzed. Nuclear energy plays an important role as means to adjust the energy structure, to avoid environmental pollution, and to address climate change in China, while the development speed of nuclear power should be reasonable and appropriate. Drawing lessons from Fukushima crisis, China insists on the safety-first principle in nuclear power development, hence China should be cautions in NPP sites selection, reviews its nuclear power development speed, lifts the safety standards, and improve the nuclear emergency response capabilities.