Recently, CNN’s report on Taishan Nuclear Power Plant has attracted public attention. To this end, the relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's (National Nuclear Safety Administration) has answered questions from reporters on relevant issues.

　　Q: Could you please introduce the overall situation of Taishan Nuclear Power Plant?
　　Answer: Taishan Nuclear Power Plant has two EPR (European Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor) nuclear power units, designed by France's Framatome and constructed and operated as a Sino-French joint venture. Since the construction of the Taishan NPP began, the NNSA has always strictly supervised it in accordance with laws and regulations. Unit 1 entered commercial operation on December 13, 2018, and Unit 2 entered commercial operation on September 7, 2019. At present, both units have already begun their second fuel cycle. Since entering commercial operation, the two units at Taishan NPP have been operating safely and stably, and the surrounding environment has not experienced any abnormal situation.

　　Q: What happened to Taishan NPP?
Answer: Currently, in the operation of Unit 1 of Taishan NPP, the specific radioactivity (i.e. the amount of radioactivity contained in unit volume or weight) of the coolant in the primary loop of the reactor is monitored to have increased, but this level is still in accordance with the technical specifications for the NPP's operations. As long as the operating requirements in the technical specifications are met, the operational safety of the nuclear power plant is guaranteed.

　　 The increased level of radioactivity in the primary circuit of Unit 1 is mainly related to damaged fuel rods. Due to the influence of uncontrollable factors including fuel manufacturing, transport, loading, etc., a small amount of fuel rod damage is unavoidable in NPP operation, and it is a common phenomenon. According to relevant statistics, many nuclear power plants in the world have experienced fuel rod damage and [were able to] continue operation.
There are more than 60,000 fuel rods in the core of Unit 1 of Taishan NPP. At present, it is estimated that the number of damaged fuel rod claddings is about 5, with the proportion of damaged fuel rods less than 0.01% of the total. This is much lower than the maximum level of damage allowed to the fuel assembly in the design (0.25%).

　　Q: CNN reported that there was a radioactivity leak at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant. Is it true?
　　Answer: An increase in the level of radioactivity in the primary circuit is completely different from a radioactive leakage accident. The primary circuit is inside the reactor. As long as the pressure boundary of the reactor coolant system and the reactor containment meet the requirements as a radioactivity containment barrier, there is no problem of radioactivity leaking into the environment. These two physical barriers are [currently] safe. At present, the radiation monitoring results from the environment around Taishan NPP show no abnormalities. They are still at the background level, which also indicates that no leakage has occurred.

　　Question: CNN reported that a shutdown has been avoided because the NNSA approved an increase in the acceptable limit of radiation detection outside the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant. Is it true?
　　 Answer: This report is not true. The NNSA did not approve an increase in the acceptable limit of radiation detection outside Taishan NPP. The NNSA reviewed and approved the relevant limits for the specific activity of the reactor coolant inert gas in the primary circuit. This was a revision to the technical specifications for chemistry and radiochemistry in Taishan NPP. This limit is used for operations management and is not related to the external radiation detection at the nuclear power plant. The concept [described]in the CNN report is wrong.

　　Q: What will the National Nuclear Safety Administration do next?
Answer: We will continue to closely monitor the radioactivity level of the primary circuit of Unit 1 of Taishan NPP, strengthen on-site supervision and environmental monitoring; guide and supervise the operator to take measures to strictly control the radioactivity in the primary circuit, and strictly abide by the operating technical specifications to ensure Unit 1 operates safely. At the same time, we will also maintain communication with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the French nuclear safety regulatory authority.