The World Association of Nuclear Operators and the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) have signed a memorandum of understanding which formalises their arrangement to work together on commercial nuclear safety and reliability.

Under the terms of the agreement, CNEA has become a category 3 member of WANO and will be affiliated with the organisation’s London office until WANO’s Shanghai Office is established as a fully-fledged and operational regional centre.

CNEA will also be affiliated with all four of WANO’s regional centres – Atlanta, Moscow, Paris and Tokyo – with which bespoke MoUs have also been agreed.

CNEA is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that helps members in their relationships with the government and foreign counterparts. WANO said both organisations have the goal of improving safety and reliability and the MoU is a formal agreement that underlines their collaboration in these two areas.

WANO chief executive officer Peter Prozesky said: “We look forward to working closely with CNEA and our other Chinese members to collaborate further to enhance nuclear safety and reliability in commercial nuclear power plants in China, the wider region and the world.”