China is already implementing life management programs at its nuclear plants,
although its oldest unit, Qinshan-1, is only 16 years old and the average age
of its 11 nuclear units is only seven years, Yang Dazhu of the China Atomic
Energy Authority, told an IAEA conference in Shanghai October 15.

But Chen Hua, director general of the nuclear power department in China
National Nuclear Corp., said aging management techniques are "insufficient"
and China's lack of experience in plant operation had caused "some
difficulties" in designing life management programs.

Wang Jun, deputy director general of the National Nuclear Safety
Administration, said regulators were embarking on preparation of technical
regulations covering "life management during design and construction phases."
Yuri Sokolov, deputy director general of the IAEA, noting the presence of five
countries without any nuclear plants, asked participants to recommend ways to
"address plant life management issues in agency recommendations to members
starting nuclear power plant programs."