nuclear-news

China’s push for advanced nuclear reactors will produce much weapons grade plutonium

Reuters 25th March 2021, China’s push to develop fuel for a new generation of nuclear power
reactors will produce large amounts of materials that could be diverted to
making nuclear weapons, non-proliferation experts said on Thursday.

China is developing advanced fast reactors and reprocessing facilities as it
seeks to reduce dependency on coal, which emits emissions harmful to human
health and that worsen climate change.

But reprocessing also produces plutonium that could be used to make nuclear weapons. There is no evidence
that China intents to divert its potential plutonium stockpile to weapons
use, but concern has grown as Beijing is expected to boost its number of
nuclear warheads over the next decade from the low 200s now.

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N2LM34J

March 26, 2021 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized