Plans for world's smallest nuclear power plant cause concern
There are concerns China could house the world's smallest nuclear power plant in a shipping container and install it on a South China Sea island within five years. Chinese researchers are developing the “hedianbao” unit using lead-cooled reactor technology similar to 1970s Soviet nuclear submarines. It will be able to generate 10 MW of heat, which if converted to electricity could power around 50,000 homes; the unit could run for years without refuelling, producing neither dust nor smoke. However, the environmental impact from any catastrophe could be significant, as radioactive waste could be spread globally by the region's strong sea currents.

A model of the reactor on display in April. Photo: SCMP Pictures