China and the United States on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding for Westinghouse Electric Co. to provide technology for four nuclear power units to be built in China.

 

The memorandum of understanding was signed by China's Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Ma Kai and US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.

 

"The pact was signed to ensure the introduction of technology and the smooth construction of the nuclear power plants," according to a statement released by the NDRC.

 

The US-based Westinghouse will provide China with the AP1000 technology, a light water nuclear reactor which has an advanced design and an automatic system to deal with emergencies.

 

The deal was signed on the sidelines of a five-country energy ministers meeting in Beijing.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2006)