China eyes plutonium factory in Germany

Published: 3 December 2003 y., Wednesday
China has voiced interest in buying a German factory built to produce plutonium for power stations, German government sources say, as Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder continues a visit to the country. The sources, travelling with Schroeder, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had expressed interest in the plant during his talks with Schroeder. The chancellor promised to study the request, the sources added. On Tuesday, Schroeder flew to southern and western China on the second leg of a three-day visit to China focused on boosting economic relations. The plant at Hanau, western Germany, was constructed in 1991 by the German electronics group Siemens at a cost then of 700 million euros (837.3 million dollars), but never went into operation and still lies idle. The factory, designed to produce fuel elements from plutonium, is estimated to be worth around 50 million euros today. Its owner Siemens had previously offered to export the complete facility to Russia in mid-2001, but the plan sparked political concern and was eventually dropped. Schroeder is on his fifth visit to China in as many years. He spoke on Monday with Chinese President Hu Jintao as well as with Premier Wen.
Šaltinis: AFP
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Financial sector: preventing the next crisis

New legislation for pan-European supervision of credit rating agencies and a public debate on how financial institutions are managed. more »

Russia's accession to WTO and China's role in world economy were discussed in Vilnius

On 2 June in Vilnius, Lithuania‘s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė and Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization Rufus H. Yerxa discussed the main issues on the international trade policy agenda, Russia‘s WTO accession and the changing role of China in the world economy. more »

Globalisation fund: Budgets Committee backs aid to Spain and Ireland

2157 former construction workers in Spain and 598 ex-employees at the Irish crystal glass company Waterford Crystal with suppliers could get €11 million in EU globalisation adjustment fund aid for training, self-employment and professional orientation under plans approved by the Budgets Committee on Wednesday. more »

Commission rewards Europe's best green businesses

Companies from the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain have won the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment. more »

Fisheries reform: firm backing for research but differing views on quotas

The planned overhaul of EU fisheries policy should devolve more powers to regions, protect small coastal fleets and boost aquaculture, said MEPs and members of national parliaments on Tuesday. more »

First JESSICA fund loan agreement signed with Lithuania’s Šiaulių bankas

The first in a series of loan agreements for energy efficiency investments in multi-apartment buildings was signed today between the European Investment Bank (EIB), as manager of the JESSICA holding fund in Lithuania, and Šiaulių bankas. more »

Estonia's euro

Despite the current economic crisis and tensions in the euro, Estonia is set to adopt the single currency in January. more »

'Polluter pays' principle for banks

Commission proposes a bank tax to cover the costs of winding down banks that go bust. more »

Strong EIB support for new energy investments in Greece

The European Investment Bank will provide a total of EUR 400 million to Hellenic Petroleum SA in order to increase the production of cleaner fuels via the upgrading of the Elefsina refinery. more »

The promotion of the electric vehicle in Europe, under examination

European ministers meet on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels at the final Competitiveness Council to be held during the six months of the Spanish Presidency, which has an agenda laden with important issues such as the electric vehicle, the European patent system and national R+D investment goals. more »