China's nuclear companies eyeing massive South African tender

Sun Qin, chairman of China National Nuclear Corp, said China has already gained some successful experience of nuclear power plant construction and operation in overseas countries, a fact that gave the Chinese nuclear companies an edge over other companies.

"Nuclear markets in new emerging countries are key targets for China," he said on the sidelines of the National People's Congress, which ended on Thursday.

In the massive buildup plan for nuclear, two of China's largest State-owned nuclear companies-China General Nuclear Power Corp and China National Nuclear Corp-are looking to go public on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The move will open the companies up to further scrutiny, both at home and abroad, and enable them to gain more capital for their planned nuclear programs.

China's State-owned nuclear companies are looking at opportunities in more developed markets as well. Earlier reports said China General Nuclear Power Corp and China National Nuclear Corp are buying into the Hinkley Point nuclear power project in the county of Somerset, England.

China operates 17 nuclear reactors at home and is building a further 28 reactors. According to the World Nuclear Association, its combined total of domestic reactors either under construction, planned or proposed is around 150-more than one-third of the 435 nuclear reactors presently operating commercially around the world.

Building brand South Africa in China	China confident of foreign trade growth in 2014