total installed power generating capacity. The government is planning to boost nuclear power development to meet the country's demand for electricity, especially in the eastern provinces that are experiencing severe power shortages.

According to government plans, a total of 32 new 1,000 megawatt reactors are expected to be brought on line by 2020.

The first generating unit of the Lingao nuclear power plant began commercial operation in May 2002, with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The second generating unit began operating in January 2003.

A new 6,000 megawatt nuclear complex is planned for construction at Yangjiang in Guangdong province, to begin commercial operation in 2010. A second generating facility also is planned for Daya Bay, site of China's first nuclear power plant.

Visiting Daya Bay on Monday, Zeng emphasized safety as aSouth Korea, Russia, and the United States. It is being conducted under the auspices of the UN nuclear oversight body, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

ITER is technically ready to start construction and the first operation is expected in 2015. Two candidate sites are under consideration for its construction - Cadarache in Europe and Rokkasho-mura in Japan.

ICONE 13 is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Chinese Nuclear Society. For more information visit the website at: http://www.conferencetoolbox.org/ICONE13.