The Fukushima accident and nuclear power development and safety in China

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) accident is examined, and an analysis presented of its original cause, development and consequences, as well as the causes of station blackout, overpressure of the pressurized reactor vessel and preliminary containment, hydrogen burst, etc. which aggravated the accident. According to these factors a comparison is given on the safety design as well as protection measures for China's nuclear power plants. The lessons learnt from Fukushima give us some important guidelines for the operation, construction, and design of future plants. Finally, the energy situation and the necessity of nuclear power development in China, and strategic policies are discussed.