-- Xi put forward a three-point proposal at the ceremony. First, he called on both sides to adhere to the principle of safety first and set a model for global nuclear energy cooperation.

-- Second, Xi suggested the two countries deepen scientific and technological cooperation on nuclear energy by sticking to the driving force of innovation.

--Third, he called for adherence to strategic collaboration to promote the coordinated development of the governance system of the global energy industry.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project, Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link.

Xi arrived at the main venue of the Great Hall of the People at around 5:00 p.m. Beijing time and waved to Putin, who had joined in from the main venue of the Kremlin.

He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, co-chaired the ceremony with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Heads of relevant departments, local officials and constructor representatives of China and Russia attended the ceremony from the sub-venue of Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, sub-venue of Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, and two Russian sub-venues. The heads of the companies of both countries reported on the progress of the project to the two heads of state.

Workers attend the launch ceremony for the construction of Unit 3 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Xi and Putin delivered their speeches respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xi extended congratulations on the launch of the China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project and paid high respect to the constructors from the two countries.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Xi said that he and President Putin have agreed to advance the development of bilateral relations to a higher level and expand the ties to broader fields.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic unseen in a century, China and Russia have firmly supported each other and cooperated closely and effectively, which is a vivid demonstration of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, he said.

Xi stressed that energy cooperation has always been the most important area of practical cooperation which generates the largest achievement and covers the widest scope between the two countries.

Noting that nuclear energy is the strategic priority for bilateral cooperation and a series of major projects have been completed and put into operation, Xi said the four nuclear power units that kicked off construction on Wednesday mark another major landmark in China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation.

Aerial photo taken on May 17, 2021 shows an overview of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

Xi put forward a three-point proposal at the ceremony. First, he called on both sides to adhere to the principle of safety first and set a model for global nuclear energy cooperation.

It is necessary to construct and operate the four units with high quality and high standards, create a global benchmark in nuclear safety, give full play to complementary advantages, expand and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, and contribute more to the development of the global nuclear energy industry, he said.

Second, Xi suggested the two countries deepen scientific and technological cooperation on nuclear energy by sticking to the driving force of innovation.

He urged deepened cooperation on the basic research, key technology research and development, and transformation of innovative achievements in the field of nuclear energy, such as nuclear environmental protection, nuclear medicine, nuclear fuel and advanced nuclear power technology, so as to promote the deep integration of the nuclear energy industry and the new generation of digital technology, and contribute more wisdom to the innovative development of nuclear energy globally.

Third, he called for adherence to strategic collaboration to promote the coordinated development of the governance system of the global energy industry. He said that it is necessary to promote the building of a global energy governance system featuring justice, equity, balance, inclusiveness, openness and shared benefits, and contribute more solutions to global energy governance.

"Responding to climate change is a common task for all countries," Xi said, adding that China and Russia should promote more low-carbon cooperation projects and play a constructive role in achieving global sustainable development goals.

Photo taken on May 18, 2021 shows a construction site where Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant are about to be built, in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

For his part, Putin expressed warm congratulations on the start of the construction of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the Xudapu nuclear power plant. He said that Russia has the confidence to work with China to smoothly and safely advance the project's construction.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries, Putin said Russia-China relations reached their best level in history. He added that the consensus reached between President Xi and himself has been well implemented with increasingly broader cooperation areas.

He said cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy marks a significant part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, and it is believed that the start of the four nuclear power units will not only inject new vitality into the further development of Russia-China relations but also help achieve the goals to peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.

It will also contribute to coping with global climate change and realizing the sustainable development of humanity, Putin added.

Photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows the launch ceremony for the construction of Unit 3 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City of northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

The Chinese representatives at the sub-venue of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the sub-venue of the Xudapu nuclear power plant then reported to the two heads of state that preparations for the start of construction are completed.

President Xi issued the instruction "Start!"

After the Russian representatives reported to the two heads of state that the equipment is ready to be installed, President Putin issued the instruction "Start!"

The project was officially launched as the first tank of cement was poured at the construction site of the power plants.

Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi attended the ceremony.

Photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows the launch ceremony for the construction of Unit 3 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City of northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and units 3 and 4 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant are significant projects in a package cooperation deal on nuclear energy. It was signed with a witness by the two heads of state in June 2018. When completed and put into operation, the annual power generation will reach 37.6 billion kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30.68 million tonnes per year.

Nuclear energy cooperation is a traditional priority cooperation area for China and Russia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the project is the biggest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project to date. Zhao said it represents a high level of practical cooperation between the two countries, adding that the successful beginning of the construction of the four units demonstrates the constructive cooperation outcomes in high-end equipment manufacturing and science and technology innovation between the two countries.

Gavrilin Alexander, a Russian engineer, said he has been working on the Tianwan nuclear power plant since 2003 and highly anticipates that the construction of units 7 and 8 could be completed and put into operation at an early date. He said the new units are "much more powerful, advanced, and safer."

The construction of nuclear power plants is technology-intensive, which requires both sides to mutually cooperate with sincerity and solidarity. "It reflects the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two countries," Gavrilin Alexander said, adding that he believed China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation will achieve win-win results.

A Chinese worker and a Russian worker communicate with each other as they walk in a construction site where Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant are about to be built, in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Lu Huadong)

Deng Hao, secretary general of the China Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies, said with an increase in complementary trade between the two countries, the nuclear energy projects will further consolidate the material foundation of bilateral cooperation and enhance the trade and economic exchanges between China and Russia.

The event on Wednesday is also the first online bilateral exchange at the head-of-state level between the two sides since the beginning of this year. It is of great significance in guiding the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to maintain high-level development, spokesperson Zhao said.

In recent years, the world has slowed down the pace of building new nuclear power plants. Experts believed that China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation will become a highlight in the global nuclear power industry and help boost worldwide confidence in this energy development.

Besides, since nuclear energy is clean and efficient, the four units will effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Deng Hao said this cooperation project demonstrates that China and Russia take the same stand on combating global climate change and realizing green development.

"It also shows China's firm determination to peak its carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, and its commitment as a responsible major nation," he added.

Xi, Putin witness launch of joint nuclear energy project, high-quality China-Russia cooperation boosted