China plans floating nuclear reactors in South China sea

The US military has cautioned that China is progressing with the development of floating nuclear reactors in the South China Sea to bolster its territorial claims, as reported by Voice of America (VOA). Analysts have expressed concerns over the environmental risks associated with this initiative.

However, Beijing had suspended the project a year ago over safety and effectiveness concerns, according to the South China Morning Post.

But this month, the outgoing commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command and State Department Admiral John Aquilino said that China is still building the floating reactors to supply power to disputed islands, the Washington Post reported.

Although the US officials said that the deployment of such reactors would take several years, Admiral John Aquilino said their development would undermine regional security and stability, VOA reported.

Following this, last week, the Philippines echoed those concerns.

Philippines National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said that China would use its floating reactors to power military bases it has built on artificial islands, including those within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

He added that China’s nuclear plants would further militarize disputed areas of the South China Sea.

“Anything that supports their military presence in those islands is technically a threat to our national security and against our interests,” he said, adding that Australia and the US would be among Manila’s allies conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea, as reported by VOA.

According to Beijing’s claims, they have control over almost the entire South China Sea, putting it in dispute with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.