The Ministry of Justice has recently issued the Law of the People's Republic of China on Atomic Energy (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment"), drawn up by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense ("SASTIND"), for public consultation by October 19, 2018.
Among eight chapters the Draft for Comment is organized into, are "scientific research and technological development", "recycling of nuclear materials and nuclear fuels", "utilization of atomic energy", "safety supervision and administration", "nuclear imports and exports and international cooperation" and "legal liability". In terms of scientific research and technological development, the Draft for Comment raises the basic requirement that "China should strengthen scientific research of atomic energy and the technological development in this regard, improve the fundamental studies, explore cutting-edge technologies, and promote the building of talent teams with specialized expertise in the atomic energy field; it also provides for formulating the scientific and technological development planning, developing scientific and technological platforms and promoting technological innovations. As to nuclear imports and exports and international cooperation, the Draft for Comment expressly states that enterprises will be encouraged and supported to get engaged in the development of the international market and promote export, and provides clarity on different items, including the export of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items, the import of nuclear items, anti-nuclear proliferation, the import and export of radioisotope and products made therefrom, and the import of waste radioactive sources and radioactive waste.