BEIJING — Beijing is doubling down on nuclear energy development in an effort to pump up power in the South China Sea. <br /> <br />According to Wang Yiren, vice director of the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence, China plans to build a floating nuclear power plant over the next five years. About 20 floating stations are expected to be built and posted in the disputed islands, Science and Technology Daily reported. <br /> <br />China claims ownership of the entire South China Sea, despite counter claims by Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei. The Chinese have control over a number of islands in the Spratlys and Paracels, where diesel generators are currently the main power source. The generators are neither efficient nor environmentally friendly. <br /> <br />With a floating nuclear platform, China hopes to provide a stable source of power to residents and troops based in the Chinese-controlled disputed islands. It also aims to promote offshore gas and oil exploits in the area. <br /> <br />Floating power stations are believed to be less prone to natural disasters. Emergencies like a melting core could be prevented by simply pumping in cooling seawater. <br /> <br />Developing nuclear power will also help cut down carbon dioxide and pollutant emissions. <br /> <br />Ultimately, China wants its nuclear power capacity to reach 58 million kilowatts by 2020. <br /> <br />Research on the core technologies has already been carried out. Ally Russia has been developing a similar facility for Arctic waters, so China is seeking cooperation in a bid to speed up their plans.
