Atomic Energy Law of the People's Republic of China

Atomic Energy Law of the People's Republic of China

Order of the President of the People's Republic of China
(No. 51)

The Atomic Energy Law of the People's Republic of China, as adopted at the 17th Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on September 12, 2025, is hereby issued with effect from January 15, 2026.

Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China
September 12, 2025

Atomic Energy Law of the People's Republic of China
(Adopted at the 17th Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on September 12, 2025)

Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Scientific Research and Technological Development
Chapter III Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Chapter IV Utilization
Section 1 Application of Nuclear Reactors
Section 2 Application of Nuclear Technology
Chapter V Safety Supervision and Administration
Chapter VI Import and Export
Chapter VII Legal Liability
Chapter VIII Supplemental Provisions
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 This Law is enacted for the purposes of guaranteeing the research, development, and peaceful utilization of atomic energy, promoting scientific and technological progress and industrial upgrading, promoting high-quality economic and social development, maintaining national security, and improving the well-being of the people.
Article 2 This Law applies to the research, development, and utilization of atomic energy in the territory of the People's Republic of China and other sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China.
For the purposes of this Law, “atomic energy,” also known as “nuclear energy,” means the energy released by nuclear reactions such as fission, fusion and decay.
Article 3 In the research, development, and utilization of atomic energy, the leadership of the Communist Party of China shall be adhered to, the overall national security concept shall be implemented, the nuclear security concept of rationality, coordination and progress shall be upheld, the worst-case scenario thinking and the systematic concept shall be adhered to, development and security shall be coordinated, the ecology and environment shall be protected, and personal health and the safety of life and property shall be safeguarded.
Article 4 The development of atomic energy science and technology and industry shall adhere to the innovation-driven development strategy and the green development and sustainable development strategies.
The state strengthens the overall planning for the development of the atomic energy industry, and rationally arranges for the overall layout of the atomic energy industry.
Article 5 The department of nuclear industry, the department of energy and the nuclear safety supervision and administration department of the State Council shall, according to their division of duties, be responsible for the administration and supervision of research, development and utilization of atomic energy.
Other relevant departments of the State Council shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of relevant research, development and utilization of atomic energy within the scope of their respective duties.
The local people's governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall support the research, development, and utilization of atomic energy within their respective administrative regions, and perform corresponding administration and supervision duties in accordance with the provisions of laws and administrative regulations.
Article 6 The relevant departments of the State Council and the relevant local people's governments shall, in accordance with the provisions issued by the state, provide policy support for the research, development and utilization of atomic energy in terms of scientific and technological awards, industrial development, finance, and taxes and fees, among others.
Article 7 Relevant administrative agencies, enterprises, and public institutions shall, in accordance with the law, effectively conduct the public disclosure of information on safety supervision and management and environmental impact assessment, among others, in the research, development, and utilization of atomic energy.
For major matters in the research, development and utilization of atomic energy that affect public interests, relevant administrative agencies, enterprises, and public institutions shall enhance communication with the public, request opinions from stakeholders and provide feedback in an appropriate form.
The disclosure of information as prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs and public participation in information involving state secrets, trade secrets and personal information shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions issued by the state.
Article 8 The state strengthens the publicity and education on scientific knowledge on atomic energy knowledge and legal knowledge, and encourages eligible local people's governments, nuclear facility operation entities, and other relevant entities to build and utilize venues and facilities for science popularization to carry out activities to popularize scientific knowledge on atomic energy.
Article 9 The state shall support the peaceful utilization of atomic energy, encourage international exchanges and cooperation in the peaceful utilization of atomic energy, and advance the sharing the achievements of the peaceful utilization of atomic energy.
The People's Republic of China shall fulfill the obligations specified in the international treaties concluded or acceded to, oppose and prohibit all forms of nuclear proliferation activities, prevent and respond to the threat of nuclear terrorism, and propel the establishment of a fair, cooperative, and mutually beneficial international nuclear security system.
Article 10 The state strengthens the establishment of the system of standards for the field of atomic energy, and propels and participates in international standardization activities in this field of atomic energy.
Article 11 Entities and individuals that have made outstanding contributions in the research, development, and utilization of atomic energy shall be commended and rewarded in accordance with the relevant provisions issued by the state.
Chapter II Scientific Research and Technological Development
Article 12 The state strengthens the scientific research and technological development of atomic energy, enhances basic research, explores frontier technologies, advances interdisciplinary integration, encourages independent research and development, strengthens the protection of intellectual property rights, enhances the construction of national strategic scientific and technological forces, and promotes the building of a high-quality professional talent team in the field of atomic energy.
Professionals in the field of atomic energy shall adhere to the principle of prioritizing moral integrity and honesty, carry forward the spirit of scientists, comply with academic and ethical norms, and strictly observe professional ethics.
Article 13 The state establishes relevant scientific and technological innovation bases and platforms in the field of atomic energy, strengthens the construction of atomic energy research facilities and the guarantee capacity for scientific research conditions, propels the opening and sharing of research facilities and resources, and promotes the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.
Article 14 The state encourages and supports scientific research and technological development of controlled thermonuclear fusion.
Article 15 The state develops and implements a special plan for scientific research and technological development of atomic energy, promotes the research and development of advanced technologies in the fields of nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear reactor, and nuclear technology application, among others, and raises the scientific and technological level of atomic energy.
The special plan for scientific research and technological development of atomic energy shall integrate basic theories, frontier fields, and market application research projects, take into account the relevant development needs of the atomic energy industry, and enhance the safety, economy, and sustainability of the atomic energy industry.
Article 16 The state publicly requests recommendations on scientific research and technological development needs of atomic energy, issues guidelines for project application, and encourages scientific research institutes, institutions of higher education, enterprises and other entities to carry out scientific research and technological development of atomic energy.
The state leverages the guiding role of investment of fiscal funds to encourage and drive entities undertaking or participating in scientific research and technological development of atomic energy to increase capital investment, optimize the structure of capital investment, and improve the efficiency of capital investment.
The state supports enterprises in organizing the development of scientific research projects of atomic energy, underscores the primary role of enterprises in technological innovation, and supports the exemplary application of advanced technologies independently developed by enterprises.
Article 17 The state strengthens the connection of scientific and technological plans and programs in the field of atomic energy, improves the exchange mechanism for scientific and technological resources and technological development demands, and allows the market to pl......