Putin and Xi have launched construction of 4 new blocs on 2 Chinese nuclear power plants built by @rosatom. A reminder that 🇨🇳🇷🇺 energy cooperation is not just about hydrocarbons, and that there are areas beyond arms where Russia still is a source of high-tech for China. 1/ 
2/ This @business piece provides a good background of the $3.1b deal (signed during Putin's 2018 state visit to 🇨🇳) that involves construction of 2 blocks of Tianwan (田湾) in Jiangsu & 2 blocs of Xudapu (徐大堡) in Liaoning bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
3/ For @rosatom, the 2018 deal was important in competition against @EDFofficiel & @WECNuclear in 🇨🇳 market. No less important was the 2019 contract to supply nuclear fuel (took a painful year to negotiate it after the main contract was signed) rosatom.ru/en/press-centr…
4/ Xi in his remarks at today's ceremony talks not only about 🇨🇳🇷🇺 & importance of nuclear energy for 0-carbon goal, but also need for better "global energy governance" 全球能源治理体系协调发展xinhuanet.com/politics/2021-…
5/ Putin in his remarks vows to expand cooperation between @rosatom & CNNC, including in R&D and joint operations in other countries etc. kremlin.ru/events/preside…
6/ Given China's rapid progress in nuclear technology, it remains to be seen how much cooperation with @rosatom will be required in 10+ years. Tianwan plant is a good example. In the first 4 blocks, 🇷🇺 was the main builder, but had to localize some technology.
7/ This time around, in both Tianwan and Xudaipu @rosatom supplies the reactor, which without doubt is the most valuable and complicated part of the station, but the rest is built by 🇨🇳.
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