China operates 13 nuclear reactors. Even though it is a small number compared to the 104 in the United States, China is currently constructing more than two dozen others and 50 more are being proposed. In the last twenty years, China's energy needs have grown exponentially due to its rapid economic boom and urbanization. China last year surpassed the US as the world's largest consumer of energy; it depends on fossil fuel for 91% of its needs. Hence, such an ambitious nuclear power program is understandable.
However, in light of the human and environmental disaster looming in Japan, many Chinese are asking: How safe are China's nuclear plants? Experts say China is now reviewing the risks associated with earthquakes and tsunamis. China has had its share of major earthquakes, like the 7.9-magnitude quake in 2008, which killed over 80,000 in Wenzhou, Sichuan province. The existing and planned nuclear plants are all located along its eastern and southern coastlines, which brings up questions of whether the facilities are vulnerable to a tsunami. Moreover, another worry is lack of transparency. Although China has signed and ratified the International Atomic Energy Agency's Convention on Nuclear Safety, critics say China is slow in providing public information on safety and waste-management.
Before the disaster in Japan, most people did not necessarily understand the risks they were facing, but now people are actually more aware of the potential harms. Perhaps, the disaster in Japan can help to raise awareness of nuclear energy not only in China, but in other parts of the world.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/25/china.nuclear/index.html
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