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Nuclear power plants: an energy game and a battle for the future
United States are starting to "jump their feet" again.
This time, they are pointing the finger at China's nuclear power plants.
As soon as the news of China's recent approval of a new nuclear power project came out, some United States media began to frantically export anxiety as if they had pressed a certain start button, and even threw out sensational remarks such as "China wants to destroy the world".
Familiar taste, familiar recipe.
Whenever China makes breakthroughs in some key areas, it is always seen that they are pointing fingers at them, as if they are the masters of the world, and they can judge the choices of other countries at will.
However, this time they seem to have miscalculated. Nuclear power plants, an area that they deliberately portray as a flood beast, are precisely the key to poking at their pain points.
This is not only a debate about energy, but also a game about national interests and future development. In this war without gunpowder, the nuclear power plant has become a new gladiatorial arena.
1. Nuclear power: the focus of controversy and the dilemma of reality
Nuclear power plants, a controversial technology that has been around since its inception, are still the focus of global attention. Proponents see it as a tool to solve the energy crisis and reduce carbon emissions; Opponents are concerned about its safety and the disposal of nuclear waste.
China, the world's largest developing country, is facing huge pressure on energy demand. In 2023, China's nuclear power generation capacity will be the second largest in the world, but its per capita share is far lower than that of developed countries such as the United States and France.
The numbers don't lie. 55, which is the number of nuclear reactors currently in operation in China. It may seem like a lot, but when you consider the sheer size of China's population of 1.4 billion and the demand for electricity brought about by its rapid economic development, this figure is stretched.
By comparison, the United States has 93 operating nuclear reactors, accounting for nearly 20% of nuclear power, while China's nuclear power accounts for only 4.86% of the country's electricity generation.
With rising energy demand on the one hand, and environmental pollution and energy security problems caused by traditional fossil fuels on the other, China's development of nuclear power is an inevitable choice and a responsible major country.
However, the road is not destined to be smooth.
Safety has always been a "sword of Damocles" hanging over the head of nuclear power. The lingering shadow of the Fukushima nuclear accident has caused many countries to talk about "nuclear" discoloration.
In addition, the disposal of nuclear waste is also a difficult problem. How to properly dispose of these radioactive materials and avoid causing pollution to the environment requires the joint efforts of all countries to find effective solutions.
2. China's nuclear power: the momentum of its rise and the inevitable choice
In the face of doubts and challenges, China's nuclear power has never stopped moving forward.
In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in the field of nuclear power technology, and the third-generation nuclear power technologies independently developed by Hualong No. 1 and Guohe No. 1 have reached the international advanced level in terms of safety and reliability.
Hualong No. 1, the flagship project of China's nuclear power industry, has won wide recognition from the international community for its strong disaster resistance and safety performance. A magnitude 17 super typhoon, a magnitude 9 earthquake, and a four-hour fire...... These extreme disasters cannot shake its strong defenses.
China's nuclear power development is not only to meet its own energy needs, but also to shoulder the responsibility of promoting the global energy transition.
As we all know, the overexploitation of fossil energy is one of the main causes of global warming. Reducing carbon emissions and protecting the ecological environment has become the common goal of all mankind.
China has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. It's a daunting challenge that requires a lot of effort.
Nuclear power, as a clean and efficient energy source, will play an important role in China's "dual carbon" goal. It is estimated that if China increases the proportion of nuclear power to 10% by 2035, it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 900 million tons per year, which is equivalent to the total annual carbon emissions of the entire European Union.
United States Nuclear Power: A Mask of Hypocrisy and a Conspiracy of Hegemony
On the one hand, it is thirsty for clean energy, and on the other hand, it is concerned about nuclear safety, and China is cautious on the road of nuclear power development.
However, the United States, far across the ocean, could not sit still.
They began to point fingers at China's new nuclear power projects, and even did not hesitate to use the public opinion machine to spread the "theory of China's nuclear threat".
It's ironic.
What qualifications does the United States, the country with the largest number of nuclear power plants in the world, and the country that has not yet given up nuclear weapons, say irresponsible things about China?
At the end of the day, it's still "the ass decides the head".
What the United States really cares about is not nuclear safety or environmental protection, but its own hegemonic interests.
For a long time, United States relied on the dominance of the US dollar in the international monetary system and its control over the global oil trade to build a huge "petrodollar" system, from which it grabbed huge profits.
However, with the rise of emerging economies such as China and profound changes in the global energy landscape, United States' hegemony has been challenged.
China's vigorous development of nuclear power means that its dependence on fossil energy will gradually decrease, which undoubtedly touches the "cheese" of United States.
In order to maintain its hegemonic status, the United States can be described as unscrupulous.
On the one hand, they exaggerate the "nuclear threat theory" in the international community and try to hinder other countries from developing nuclear power; On the other hand, it has enlisted allies to jointly suppress China's energy rise.
Germany is a case in point.
Germany, which is getting farther and farther on the road of "abandoning nuclear weapons", is now facing energy shortages and soaring electricity prices. And all this is thanks to the United States.
Fourth, the future of nuclear power: opportunities and challenges coexist
The future of nuclear power is full of uncertainties.
On the one hand, with the acceleration of the global energy transition and the continuous emergence of new technologies, nuclear power has ushered in new development opportunities.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Fourth-Generation Nuclear Power Technology...... The application of these new technologies will further improve the safety, economy and sustainability of nuclear power, and provide more options for solving global energy problems.
On the other hand, the development of nuclear power also faces many challenges.
Problems such as nuclear waste disposal and nuclear safety risks still exist, and countries need to strengthen cooperation and jointly seek solutions.
In addition, the intensification of international political games has also cast a shadow on the development of nuclear power.
In the face of the complex and volatile international situation, China will continue to unswervingly follow the path of nuclear power development, adhere to the safe and efficient development of nuclear power, and make greater contributions to ensuring national energy security and achieving the "dual carbon" goal.
At the same time, China will actively participate in global nuclear power governance, promote the building of a fair, open and win-win international nuclear power cooperation system, and contribute China's wisdom and strength to the sustainable development of human society.
V. Conclusion
Nuclear power plants have never been just a simple power facility, but also a symbol of a country's comprehensive strength.
In this game about the future of energy, China is ready.
We will work with other countries to create a new chapter in the development of nuclear power with a more open attitude and more pragmatic actions.
Attempts to block China's development will eventually come to naught.
Because, the wheel of history rolls forward, and no one can stop it.