By staff reporter Li Qiyan 

China recently laid the groundwork for future, atomic energy goals by creating the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp. (SNPT) under the direction of the State Council. 

The council, China’s cabinet, and four power firms will jointly invest in SNPT. They include China National Nuclear Corp., China Power Investment Corp., China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co. Ltd., and China National Technical Import & Export Corp. 

Unlike other power companies, SNPT will report directly to the State Council.  

SNPT was formed May 22, four days after the organization department of the Communist Party’s Central Committee appointed top officials for China’s atomic energy program. 

The general manager and former party secretary of China Power Investment – 52-year-old Wang Binghua -- was named chairman and party secretary of SNPT.  

SNPT will rely mainly on AP1000 power plant technology from U.S. nuclear supplier Westinghouse. Industry analysts say the Beijing government expects SNPT to develop third-generation nuclear power technology for China.