VOA News | Thursday, May 16, 2024 
China’s plan to float nuclear reactors in South China Sea seen as risky

WASHINGTON AND TAIPEI, TAIWAN — The U.S. military has warned that China is moving forward with development of floating nuclear reactors in the South China Sea to bolster its claim to disputed maritime territory. Analysts say the plan to build ships with mobile nuclear power sources would raise tensions with its neighbors and pose risks to the environment. Chinese media reports described the marine nuclear power platforms as small plants inside ships that would act as mobile “power banks” at sea for stationary facilities and other ships. Beijing had suspended the project a year ago over safety and effectiveness concerns, reported the South China Morning Post. But the outgoing commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and State Department officials this month said China is still building the floating reactors to supply power to disputed islands, the Washington Post reported. Although U.S. officials told the Post the deployment of such reactors would take several years, Admiral John Aquilino said their development would undermine regional security and stability. The Philippines last week echoed those concerns. Philippines National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said China would use its floating reactors to…Read more