ASNR and NNSA strengthen their cooperation in nuclear safety

On 21 October 2026, ASNR welcomed a delegation from the Chinese nuclear safety authority, the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), led by Mr. Dong Baotong, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, in the presence of two representatives from the Chinese Embassy.

This meeting is part of the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between ASNR and its Chinese counterpart responsible for nuclear safety. Both operating large nuclear fleets and engaged in the construction of new reactors, France and China face similar safety challenges. This convergence gives cooperation between safety authorities a strategic dimension in order to maintain high standards.

Discussions focused on several topics of common interest, notably the organisation of safety authorities, the regulation of nuclear fusion, and operating feedback from EPR reactors. Both authorities were able to compare their experiences and approaches, as well as identify concrete avenues for cooperation in the coming years.

The meeting was followed by several site visits organised by ASNR in Le Creusot, at Framatome's Technical Center, and in Cadarache, where the Chinese delegation visited ITER, the Jules Horowitz reactor, and ASNR's GALAXIE research facility. These field visits made it possible to deepen technical discussions and clarify prospects for cooperation.

These exchanges provided an opportunity for ASNR and NNSA to reaffirm their shared commitment to maintaining a regular technical dialogue, which is essential to the continuous enhancement of nuclear safety on an international scale.