Going Out: The Globalization of the Chinese Nuclear Sector

Abstract

Over the past decade, the Chinese government has aimed to further incorporate nuclear technology into its plan to meet China’s growing energy needs, and the nation’s major nuclear firms have acted enthusiastically to both secure the necessary resources for this expansion and promote Chinese technology within the nuclear-reactor market. This paper outlines the motivations and trends associated with each of these efforts. Following a description of the possible reasons behind this global expansion, both the private and state-controlled actors on the frontlines of this endeavor are introduced, and examples of cooperation between these groups are provided. Finally, this paper examines the methods by which these actors have sought to widen their shares of the uranium and nuclear-reactor markets. Because the Chinese government holds ownership over several of the major actors in this campaign to globalize, this section includes descriptions both of these actors’ strategies and of the governmental support provided to these corporations. Further use of these tactics and sustained support from Beijing may swiftly propel China’s nuclear companies to levels of prestige that are comparable to those of their American and French counterparts.