A brief look into the role of nuclear power in China’s energy transition: The laws and internal planning of nuclear energy

This article briefly presents the main legal instruments and the internal planning of nuclear energy in China, in the context of the country’s energy transition. As the world’s largest energy consumer and carbon emitter, China’s framing of energy transition as “the only way forward” and its status as the largest developing country in the world make it a prime case for the study of energy transitions. Furthermore, in the case of nuclear energy specifically, its rapid development of proprietary technology surrounding third-generation reactors such as the Hualong One. While coal continues to dominate the energy mix, statutory reforms and successive Five-Year Plans reflect a sustained commitment towards non-fossil sources. In the first section, the guiding principles of China’s energy transition are highlighted, including security, innovation, green development, and state coordination. The second analyses the preeminent laws governing the nuclear sector, including the 2003 Law on Prevention and Control of Radioactive Pollution, the 2018 Nuclear Safety Law, and the 2025 Energy Law. Finally, the article traces the evolution of nuclear policy across successive Five-Year Plans, demonstrating continuity in strategic commitment alongside increasing technological ambition.