New draft law requires improvement of energy development

A new draft law being reviewed by Chinese lawmakers has required the improvement of energy development and utilization, with support to promote non-fossil and low-carbon energy.

The 69-article draft energy law was submitted on Tuesday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for the first review.

While lauding achievements in the energy development, Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also pointed out some challenges in this sector, such as inadequate structural adjustment, low-level clean and efficient utilization, weak reserve system and deficiency in technological innovation, adding "which is why we formulated the law".

"Formulating the law is of great significance in promoting high-quality energy development and ensuring national energy security," he said when explaining the draft law to national legislators on Tuesday.

The draft clarifies the direction for energy structure adjustment, supporting the priority development of renewable energy and promoting clean, efficient and intensive utilization of energy resources.

Power, gas and heat energy supply enterprises should ensure users receive safe, continuous and reliable energy services, it said, urging companies of energy transmission pipeline facilities to improve the level of operational safety.

It also encourages the development of energy in rural areas, requiring the establishment and improvement of the energy emergency response system.

In addition, it supports the research, development, demonstration and widespread application of major technologies and equipment in key, foundational and cutting-edge areas of the energy sector.

On Tuesday, the NPC Standing Committee also began reviewing a draft atomic energy law for the first time, in an effort to enhance the sound and sustainable development of the atomic energy industry.

"Our country lacks a fundamental law in the field of atomic energy, although in recent years, we've already had over 10 laws and regulations related to nuclear matters, which have made specific provisions for nuclear safety and the prevention and control of radioactive pollution," said Zhang Kejian, head of the China Atomic Energy Authority.

"From an international perspective, it is common practice for nuclear powers and countries engaged in peaceful atomic energy development to use legal norms to regulate and promote the research, development and utilization of atomic energy activities," he said while introducing the draft to national lawmakers on Tuesday.

"Therefore, it's necessary for our country to formulate the atomic energy law to boost the healthy and sustainable development of the industry, and to uphold our nation's image as a responsible nuclear power," he added.

The 53-article draft highlights the principle of utilizing atomic energy, which is to protect the environment and ecology as well as to ensure people's health, life and property safety.

The draft stipulates that the country should strengthen scientific research and technological development in nuclear energy, with exploration of cutting-edge technologies and promotion of the training of talent in this field.

It allows the peaceful use of atomic energy in industrial and agricultural areas, stating that the application of nuclear reactors and nuclear technologies should be regulated and advanced.

Additionally, it underscores the significance of strengthening safety supervision and management, explicitly prohibiting the delay, concealment or false reporting of nuclear accidents.