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China suspends new nuclear plant approvals

BEIJING, March 17 (UPI) -- The Chinese Cabinet has suspended approval of new nuclear power plants and ordered new safety checks at existing plants.

The official Xinhua news agency said the steps were being taken in light of the problems at Japan's earthquake-crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

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The report said the State Council (Cabinet), at its meeting headed by Premier Wen Jiabao, asked relevant departments to conduct safety checks at existing plants and ordered "enhanced management" at those plants, while noting all reactors operating in the country currently are safe.

The Cabinet said China has not been affected by the radioactive leaks from the Japanese plant.

"Safety is our top priority in developing nuclear power plants," the Cabinet was quoted as saying.

The suspension order will also apply to plants that are in pre-construction work stage, Xinhua said.

China, the world's second-largest energy consumer, has six nuclear power plants in operation, located along the country's eastern and southern coasts, Xinhua said.

The country has planned extensive expansion of its nuclear power generation to meet its growing demand brought on by explosive economic growth.

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