Joint Declaration on Further Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the People's Republic of China and the French Republic.

France and China (hereinafter referred to as the two Parties) agree that nuclear energy, as a clean, low-carbon, stable and reliable source of energy, plays an important role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and energy security.

The two parties welcome the cooperation between our two countries, both from an industrial and a scientific and technological point of view, carried out within the framework of the Agreement on Intergovernmental Cooperation for the Development of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy of 15 May 1997 and the Protocol on Cooperation in the Field of Civil Nuclear Applications of 22 November 1982.

France and China will continue to maintain their cooperation in this field on the basis of the principles of transparency, mutual respect and trust.

1. The two sides agree that cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is an essential element of the Franco-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership. Building on the existing successful collaborations, the two sides will continue to share experiences and technical exchanges on the construction and operation of third-generation pressurised water nuclear power plants, on the extension of the operating life of existing nuclear power plants, on the clean-up and decommissioning of permanently decommissioned power plants and on the management of radioactive waste.
    
2. Both sides agree that technological innovation is an essential means of improving the safety and economic viability of nuclear energy. They will take full advantage of existing collaborative projects in order to continue their cooperation on technological innovation and R&D in the field of nuclear energy. In addition, they will study the possibility of setting up new collaborative projects in the fields of development of small modular reactors, application of artificial intelligence technology, particularly through the digitalization and automation of manufacturing processes, and peaceful applications other than electricity production (heat, medical radioisotopes).
    
3. Both sides recognize that cooperation in areas such as nuclear fuel supply, nuclear equipment manufacturing and the security of uranium resources is essential to ensure the stability of the nuclear industrial and supply chain. They jointly commit themselves to ensuring the safe, reliable and sustainable management, treatment and storage of spent fuel and radioactive waste. They reiterate their shared commitment to foster the safe development of nuclear energy, to strengthen the coordination of the nuclear industrial chain and to jointly preserve its resilience.
    
4. Both sides recognize that nuclear fusion energy represents an important direction for the peaceful use of nuclear energy by humanity and an essential option for an abundant and decarbonized energy source for the future. They are ready to continue their extensive participations in the major international scientific project of the Thermonuclear Fusion Experimental Reactor (ITER) in order to contribute to the successful promotion of the ITER project and its timely completion.
    
5. The two sides stress that the maintenance and strengthening of nuclear safety and security efforts is essential for the sustainable development of peaceful applications of nuclear energy. They express their willingness to strengthen the exchange of experience and technical cooperation in the field of nuclear safety and security between relevant government departments, regulatory bodies and technical support entities, in order to jointly address the challenges in these areas.
    
6. The two sides stress that the development of the science, technology and industry of nuclear energy requires the training of specialized personnel in a sustainable and sufficient manner. Building on the foundations of cooperation in university education in nuclear science and nuclear engineering, as well as the training of personnel involved in the construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors, both sides are ready to continue cooperation on education and training and to consolidate the talent base for the sustainable development of nuclear energy.
    
7. The two sides reaffirm their commitment to the international nuclear non-proliferation architecture, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and underline the IAEA’s central role as a driver and facilitator of a strong and sustainable framework for ensuring nuclear safety and security and upholding nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation obligations. Both sides will work with the IAEA to provide the resources necessary to achieve these objectives, subject to the availability of funds and compliance with the requirements of their respective national legislations.
    
8. The two sides commit to support the international development of nuclear energy to decarbonize the energy mix in accordance with international obligations on nuclear safety and security and the fight against nuclear proliferation.
    
9. Both sides recognize the desirable ambition of developing global nuclear capabilities. In line with its commitment to accelerate its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, the People’s Republic of China endorses the Declaration on the Tripling of Nuclear Power Production in the World between 2020 and 2050, initiated by France.