US Cracks Down, Limits Civilian Nuclear Technology Sales To China - Energy Department

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) The US government announced a crackdown on the export of civilian nuclear technology to China, charging Beijing with diverting much of previous transfers for military ends, the Department of Energy said in a press release.

"Today, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced measures to prevent China's illegal diversion of US civil nuclear technology for military or other unauthorized purposes," the release said on Thursday.

The Energy Department pointed out that there will be a presumption of denial for new license applications or extensions to existing authorizations related to the China General Nuclear Power Group, which is currently under indictment for conspiring to steal US nuclear technology.

The new policy invokes "Presumption of denial for: Exports related to light water SMRs; Non-light water advanced reactors; New technology transfers after January 1, 2018; and Any transfer to China General Nuclear (CGN) and/or CGN subsidiaries or related entities," the release said.

For exports to CGN, its subsidiaries and related entities there is a presumption of denial for new license applications and amendments or extensions to existing authorizations for exports of technology, equipment and components, and material, the release added.

The Energy Department also said the presumption of denial will be in place until the US government is satisfied with CGN engagement on its indictment with the US legal system, and if there are changes, the US government will communicate that to the industry.

Requests for nuclear technology purchases will also be generally denied when they are related to direct economic competition with the United States such as the Hualong One and unique US components supporting CAP-1400 reactors, the release noted.