The China Nuclear Industry Group (CNIG) set up Sunday a research base for nuclear power, instruments for civilian use, and military industry, in Shanghai, according to sources with CNIG.

Located in Shanghai Caohejin high-tech development zone, the research base covers 21,000 square meters of floor space, and will combine the functions of management, service and trade.

An official with CNIG said that China's nuclear industry has embraced a crucial development opportunity, with nuclear power, nuclear fuel and nuclear applications to be the three pillars.

By the year 2020, the installed capacity of China's nuclear power is expected to reach 40 million kilowatts, accounting for 25 percent of the country's total.

In the coming five years, the market scale for nuclear applications will reach 100 billion yuan (about US$12.5 billion).

Wang Shoujun, CNIG deputy general manager, said that in the 2006-2010 period, his group will complete integration and research of the meters matched with the nuclear industry to provide more home-made products for the country's nuclear power construction.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2005)