SHANGHAI: China has finished building the outer safety dome at its first overseas “Hualong One” nuclear reactor in Pakistan, with the project scheduled to be finished by the end of 2020, the China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) said late Tuesday.
China is hoping to use its third-generation Hualong One design to boost its presence in the overseas nuclear power sector and it is already making plans to build projects in Argentina and Britain.
CNNC described the completion of the double-layered steel dome on the containment building of the Karachi 2 nuclear power plant in Pakistan as a milestone that would help demonstrate China’s Hualong One technology worldwide. The firm is building two Hualong One units at the site.
China developed the Hualong One reactor as a rival to the Westinghouse-developed AP1000 and Europe’s “Evolutionary Pressurised Reactor,” with both models beset by cost overruns and construction delays.
The world’s first Hualong One reactor is set to go into operation ahead of schedule in the southeast Chinese province of Fujian late next year.
CNNC said its four demonstration projects in China and Pakistan are progressing in an orderly manner, noting that they “are the only third-generation pressurised water reactor projects in the world that are being constructed on schedule.”
China completes outer dome on overseas Hualong One reactor in Pakistan
China completes outer dome on overseas Hualong One reactor in Pakistan
- World's first Hualong One reactor is set to go into operation ahead of schedule
- China is hoping to use its third-generation Hualong One design to boost its presence overseas
Pakistan inaugurates new consulate building in Jeddah, pledges improved services for expatriates
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says government is committed to easing consular access for overseas Pakistanis
- The Kingdom is home to one of Pakistan’s largest overseas communities and a key source of remittances
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday inaugurated a new chancery building for its consulate in the Saudi city of Jeddah, underlining the government’s resolve to improve consular services for millions of Pakistanis living and working in the Kingdom.
The inauguration was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as Islamabad strengthens diplomatic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, home to one of Pakistan’s largest overseas communities and a key source of remittances.
During the ceremony, Dar praised the efforts of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah and acknowledged the support of Saudi authorities in completing the project, according to a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
“The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar inaugurated the new chancery building in a small and graceful ceremony in Jeddah,” the statement said.
“He emphasized that the government is committed to facilitating overseas Pakistanis through provision of effective consular services,” it added.
The ceremony included the hoisting of Pakistan’s flag, a tree plantation at the chancery premises, ribbon cutting and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, followed by prayers for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Dar later reviewed the facilities and authorized the transfer of consular operations to the new chancery at the earliest, expressing satisfaction over the completion of the project.
Western Saudi Arabia is home to around 1.8 million Pakistanis, said the statement, adding that the new building is expected to ease access to consular and administrative services for the community.
