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nuclear power plants is an integral part of its national policy
for development of nuclear energy. In this respect, China
placesa lot of emphasis in international co-operation and exchange of information. In 1984, China joined IAEA as one of its Member States. Since then China has participated actively in
the IAEA activities. This allows an efficient exchange of information and experience in all aspects relating to safety of
nuclear energy.
The National Nuclear Safety Administration
65.
The National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) was
established by the State Council in 1984. It is an independent regulatory body directly responsible to the State Council for the
safety of all nuclear installations for civil use in the
country. Like all other countries we have visited, China has placed safety & quality as the top priority whilst actively developing its nuclear industries.
66.
NNSA is responsible for the drafting and making of
safety regulations; drawing up of safety standards and guidelines; issuing permits and licences for the design and construction and commissioning of nuclear installations; carrying out on-site inspections; organising research into nuclear safety; and maintaining contacts with similar bodies in other countries.
As far as the operating units (e.g. GNPJVC as in the case of the
Daya Bay project) are concerned, the NNSA is involved in virtually all inspectorate and regulatory aspects of the nuclear
installation, from site-selection to design, construction,
licensing, normal operation and decommissioning. The NNSA
authorities emphasise that they exercise their
power
independently and in accordance with the safety regulations, and are free from the interference of executive decisions.