China’s top government body approved construction of the nation’s first domestically designed nuclear reactor as Beijing looks to ramp up infrastructure spending to combat slowing economic growth . The State Council issued a statement after its weekly meeting that it had approved the first demonstration unit of China’s Hualong-1 nuclear reactor. The reactor, which has been jointly developed by Chinese state-backed nuclear companies, is expected to be constructed at a nuclear project in the southern province of Fujian. The statement gave no details of when construction would start or when the reactor would enter service. Nuclear power has emerged as an attractive option for Chinese leaders looking to replace coal-fired electricity with cleaner power sources. The State Council, in approving Hualong-1, said it was “using an adjustment of the energy sector to promote steady growth.” Promoting infrastructure development, such as power plants, roads and railways has been a favored […]