MTA Fellow Yun Zhou will discuss the basics of nuclear reactor design and safety, and their implications for policy.

In response to the Fukushima accident, China is strengthening its nuclear safety at reactors in operation, under construction and in preparation, including efforts to improve nuclear safety regulations and guidelines based on lessons learned from the accident. Although China is one of the major contributors in the global nuclear expansion, China's nuclear power industry is relatively young. Its nuclear safety regulators are less experienced compared to those in other major nuclear power countries. To realize China's resolute commitment to rapid growth of safe nuclear energy, detailed analyses of its nuclear safety regulatory system are required. This talk explores China's governmental activities and future nuclear development after Fukushima accidents and China's nuclear safety regulations and practices. Issues and challenges are also identified for policymakers, regulators, and industry professionals.

Hui Zhang and Yun Zhou will present a seminar entitled "China’s Nuclear Material Protection, Control and Accounting: Current Regulations and Practices" on March 22, 2011 at 9:30am in the Belfer Center library.

Although China's nuclear industry is still young and nuclear spent fuel is not a concern yet, China's strong commitment to nuclear energy and rapid pace on nuclear energy development call for analyses and strategies on China's future spent fuel management. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of China's fuel cycle program, understand China's reprocessing policy and the rationality behind it, and develop strategies to manage its spent fuel in the next several decades.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Yun Zhou will present a Managing the Atom Seminar entitled "China's Nuclear Energy:  Policy, Expansion and Security Implications" beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, in the Belfer Center Library.