Open days teach that power nuclear is the safe option

Power giant also cares for the conditions and livelihood of the local community

Fang Chenggang Nuclear Power Co Ltd, a unit of nuclear titan China General Nuclear Power Corp based in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, announced a significant development on its annual "open day" - aimed at helping to popularize nuclear science. At the event, held last month, it was revealed that the number of visitors has exceeded 10,000 since it was first held in 2012.

Ma Litian, a student at Dalian Maritime University, signed up for the fourth open day on Aug 7 and was invited to the nuclear plant together with 200 other visitors from around China.

Equipped with gas-filled radiation protective clothing, Ma confessed frankly to being a little nervous.

"Before stepping into the operations room I was worried about radiation because of the Fukushima nuclear leak, but it's a big relief to see how well the staff here are protected," Ma added.

As a State-owned nuclear enterprise, CGN has adopted the "3N" principal - striving for a safe neighbor, friendly neighbor and warm neighbor - in its bid to convince the local community that safety is always a top priority.

"People usually believe what they see. That's why we hold the open day annually to deliver nuclear knowledge," said Deputy General Manager Gong Guangchen.

"Because the more people know about it, the easier it is for them to feel safe."

To further popularize nuclear science, the company offers a long-term course to promote it among local middle schools. It has enabled at least 1,000 students to get to know nuclear power better and allowed them to help out at a nuclear plant.

The company also showed its compassionate and environmentally friendly side when super typhoon Wilson in 2014 struck an egret park 10 kilometers away in the village of Hongsha, where 200 egrets were badly injured and 300 birdhouses were swept away. Volunteers were quickly organized to clean up and rebuild the park.

"We feel responsible for environment protection and peoples' livelihoods around us," Gong said. "The nuclear plant was built with an investment of 30 billion yuan ($4.5 billion) which makes it capable of promoting local prosperity."

CGN is proud of its record on trying to eliminate poverty, and its moves to improve education and sanitation in Guangxi. Since 2002 it has donated a total of 17 million yuan to projects to improve the conditions of local people, with funds channeled among other things toward construction of 15 hospitals. Some 15 primary schools have also been built in the countryside, the donations benefiting an estimated number of 10,000 children.

"Before we settled down in this town, villagers used to make a living by fishing - or they left home for the big cities as there's only a finite amount of land to work on," said Gong.

"So far, we have created at least 2,800 jobs for local people which have more or less improved living standards."

Right now, the nuclear giant is gearing up to build a third reactor, which will utilize China's homemade HPR1000 nuclear technology, much to the nation's pride. But while keeping one eye on that grand project, CGN won't lose its focus on being a good neighbor as well.

zhangli@chinadaily.com.cn