Environment minister hails China's nuclear safety

BEIJING -- The Chinese minister of environmental protection on Tuesday hailed the country's sound nuclear safety record but called for enhanced regulation in the future.

Addressing a nuclear-themed work conference here in Beijing, environment minister Chen Jining said China's nuclear facilities operated in a safe and stable state throughout the 12th Five-Year Plan period, referring to the five years between 2011 and 2015.

None of the nuclear power generating units in the country suffered events or accidents rated above Level 2 under the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, he said.

Nonetheless, the minister noted that the development of nuclear energy and nuclear technologies is picking up pace at the moment, adding that risks stemming from old nuclear facilities remain.

He urged authorities to step up nuclear supervision and regulation in the 13th Five-Year Plan period.