CHENGDU -- The participants from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan in a cross-Strait forum have jointly proposed setting up an information sharing mechanism between the two sides on nuclear power safety.
Authorities of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should improve cooperation and exchanges in nuclear power safety, share related information, increase cooperation between professional institutes, and have in-depth exchanges on nuclear power emergency management and security technology, a joint proposal reads.
The seventh Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum closed Sunday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, with the adoption of 19 proposals for the promotion of cross-Strait cooperation in various fields.
Adoption of the nuclear safety proposal goes in line with the current situation and it is a good response to common concerns of the people on both sides of the Strait, Chin Ching-Sheng, secretary-general of Taiwan's People First Party, told Xinhua after the conclusion of the forum.
"The sharing of information is expected to be the initial step in the cross-Strait nuclear collaboration, and more detailed plans regarding other aspects would be discussed after that," said Chen Pu-tsan, director of the Department of Nuclear Safety of the island's Taiwan Power Company.
Information about the nuclear situation on the two sides is currently exchanged through international nuclear organizations and, in the future, a direct communication mechanism is expected to be established between the two sides so that the mainland and Taiwan can exchange information in a more timely and effective way, he said.
The Chinese mainland and Taiwan have been maintaining communication in the nuclear safety field, and further cooperative achievements are expected to be gained in terms of more information sharing, regulation and setting of standards, and nuclear power operations and personnel training, said Tian Jiashu, deputy chief engineer of the mainland-based China National Nuclear Corporation.
Nuclear safety is an issue without boundaries, and the Chinese mainland is always transparent in this respect to the entire world, he said. "Not to mention that there is no need to conceal the information from Taiwan."
Tian said he is also looking forward to more substantive cooperation between the two sides of the Strait in nuclear technologies and policies. He added that, in his opinion, the cross-Strait forum is providing a good platform for the two sides to talk and exchange opinions on these issues.
Tian also reassured the public that the mainland's nuclear power plants are operating with strict safety standards and are sufficiently supervised, and the mainland is making constant efforts to further improve safety measures.
"I can say with confidence that the mainland's administration and supervision over nuclear safety is at international levels," he said.
Because of the short distance between the mainland and Taiwan, the two sides have a common stake in each other's nuclear power safety, Ma Yin-Pang, another Taiwan-based nuclear expert said at a discussion at the forum.
"Any possible nuclear accident on either side of the Strait will pose instant and evident threats to the people and society on both sides, and the impact may be in both substantial and psychological forms," Ma said.
The mainland has more expertise in designing safe nuclear plants, and Taiwan has rich experiences in nuclear supervision, and a closer communication platform will promote the nuclear safety environment for both sides of the Strait and generate a "win-win" solution, Ma said.
"We welcome the discussion on better nuclear safety cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan," Preston W. Chen, chairman of a federation of industries in Taiwan, told Xinhua.
At present, nuclear power is still a good solution to provide stable, safe and economical electricity for a wide range of enterprises, and cooperation between the two sides will help to alleviate some of the public's concerns stirred up after the Japan's nuclear crisis, he said.
The two-day forum between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan opened on Saturday with more than 400 representatives and experts from both sides attending.
