China inks nuclear power partnership deal with Thailand

GUANGZHOU - China and Thailand reached an agreement Wednesday to cooperate on a nuclear power project in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) announced on Thursday.

According to the agreement, CGN, Guangxi Investment Group Co Ltd, and Thailand's Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (RATCH), a subsidiary of the State-owned Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, will team up to establish a joint venture to develop, construct and operate the second phase of the nuclear power plant in Fangchenggang City.

The project is a pilot site for Hualong One nuclear power technology, the country's third-generation nuclear reactor design, which was jointly designed by CGN and China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC).

Rum Herabat, chief executive officer of RATCH, said the project has the support of the Thai government. He said he hopes cooperation with China will help Thailand train talent and gain experience in nuclear power development.

The project will also serve as a bridgehead for China's nuclear power technology to expand in the ASEAN market.