Article

China's Atomic Energy Law, effective from its adoption last September, establishes a legal framework for nuclear development, emphasizing safety, reliability, and innovation. It standardizes reactor designs like Hualong One and supports multipurpose nuclear applications, including Linglong One, the first commercial small modular reactor.

The law enforces stringent safety protocols, placing responsibility on facility operators, and includes guidelines for the nuclear fuel cycle and waste management. It promotes research in controlled thermonuclear fusion technologies such as EAST and BEST, establishing a supervisory mechanism for their application. The law is part of broader government initiatives to foster nuclear fusion as a future industry, with projected capital expenditures of CNY95bn from 2026 to 2030.