China’s plans to deploy floating nuclear power plants has US officials concerned

China’s plans to deploy floating nuclear reactors capable of powering military facilities in contested areas of the South Pacific has raised concerns about regional stability. The State Department believes the move could also be a potential threat to U.S. national security.

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American military officials have echoed these warnings, saying China may eventually use floating nuclear facilities to further exert its “unlawful territorial claims” in the region. Adm. John Aquilino, the former leader of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told The Washington Post that this could be “destabilizing” to the surrounding nations in the South China Sea.

China first began developing its floating nuclear power plants over a decade ago, with initial designs dating to 2010. By 2016, Chinese state media outlets reported that 20 such plants had been deployed in the South China Sea to support economic activities, but the recent focus has shifted to their potential military capabilities.

With tensions escalating in the South China Sea, Chinese researchers have pointed to the possible ability of these reactors to “ensure the smooth conduct of military exercises.” However, doubts persist both domestically and internationally regarding when this will actually come to fruition.

Even as China asserts its capabilities, some experts on the region remain skeptical of an imminent threat. They argue that China still faces hurdles in deploying technology capable of providing continuous power for military purposes. China’s own state regulators have warned concerns still remain about the tech’s “safety and feasibility.”

However, should China’s floating nuclear plans eventually come to fruition, some scientists have warned the plant’s vulnerabilities could lead to possible disaster. They caution of the potential for an incident akin to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan.