The U.S. military has warned that China is moving forward with development of floating nuclear reactors in the South China Sea to bolster its claim to disputed maritime territory. Analysts say the plan to build ships with mobile nuclear power sources would raise tensions with its neighbors and pose risks to the environment.
Chinese media reports described the marine nuclear power platforms as small plants inside ships that would act as mobile “power banks" at sea for stationary facilities and other ships. Beijing had suspended the project a year ago over safety and effectiveness concerns, reported the South China Morning Post.
But the outgoing commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and State Department officials this month said China is still building the floating reactors to supply power to disputed islands, the Washington Post reported.
Although U.S. officials told the Post the deployment of such reactors would take several years, Admiral John Aquilino said their development would undermine regional security and stability.
The Philippines last week echoed those concerns.
Philippines National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said China would use its floating reactors to power military bases it has built on artificial islands, including those within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He told local media that China’s nuclear plants would further militarize disputed areas of the South China Sea.
“Anything that supports their military presence in those islands is technically a threat to our national security and against our interests,” he said, adding that Australia and the U.S. would be among Manila’s allies conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea.
Beijing claims control over almost the entire South China Sea, putting it in dispute with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. China has already built artificial islands with airport runways to strengthen its claims.
Analysts say Beijing’s floating reactors would not only strengthen its military presence in the area but also give them an excuse to extend its reach through security actions.
Song Yanhui, director of the International Law Society of the Republic of China, Taiwan, told VOA the current military security zone for China's artificial islands is a radius of 500 meters (1,640 feet), meaning other aircraft and ships that enter this radius can be legitimately expelled.
Song said that if China deploys a floating nuclear power plant in the South China Sea, it could use the excuse of protecting the environment from radioactive pollution to drive away ships from a larger area or to take defensive measures.
For Beijing, he said, "It kills two birds with one stone. It is a win-win strategy. It can strengthen its military presence, civilian use and claim to sovereignty."
But the potential for radiation leaks is a real concern, say analysts.
Pankaj Jha, dean of research at the School of International Affairs of India’s Jindal Global University, told VOA China’s lack of experience in operating such floating reactors could spell disaster.
"It is a threat because it will contaminate water and also surrounding areas,” he said. “Any radiation leak would make the island uninhabitable and might also impact fishermen from the South China Sea."
Analysts note in the event of conflict with China, the floating reactors could also become military targets.
China has deployed radars, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, and fighter jets, among other weapons, on the disputed territories of Mischief Reef, Subi Reef and Fiery Cross, the three largest artificial islands in the Spratly Islands.
Richard Fisher, senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, told VOA floating nuclear power plants could also one day extend China’s weapons capabilities.
"If they were protected, these nuclear power plants could also potentially power future energy weapon devices,” Fisher said. “Laser weapons that could knock down missiles and aircraft or very powerful microwave weapons could also disable missiles and aircraft that would get within their range."
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, would not comment on the concerns expressed about China’s plans to move forward with the floating nuclear power plants.
“I am not aware of the particular case you have shared with us, thus could only reply in principle,” he told VOA in an emailed response May 14. “China’s position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent. We will stay committed to properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned, and would like to work with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nation] countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, advance the consultation on a code of conduct in the South China Sea and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region."
China is not the first country to look at building floating nuclear reactors.
The United States took the lead in proposing the concept and built the world's first floating nuclear power plant, the STURGIS, in the 1960s.
It became operational in 1967 and powered Panama canal operations until 1976, when the Army deemed the costs unjustifiable. Its final decommissioning was completed in 2018.
Russia is the only country that currently has a floating nuclear power plant in operation. The Akademik Lomonosov plant has been producing electricity and heating since 2020 from a harbor in Pevek, a town in the Arctic Circle.
The International Atomic Energy Agency at a November forum in Vienna expressed concern about the development of floating nuclear reactors, particularly when they cross international borders or operate in international waters.
“The IAEA is working with our member states to determine what further guidance and standards might be needed to ensure the safety of floating nuclear power plants," IAEA Deputy Director General Lydie Evrard said in a press release.
The IAEA noted Canada, China, Denmark, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. are each working on marine-based “small modular reactor designs.”
This story was updated to correct the history of the STURGIS, a US floating nuclear platform.
