

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang addresses the launch of Taishan nuclear power plant in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 21, 2009. Li Keqiang and Fillon commenced the construction of Taishan nuclear power plant here Monday, a Sino-French joint project in south China's Guangdong Province.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)



Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) and visiting French Prime Minister Francois Fillon attend the launch of Taishan nuclear power plant in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 21, 2009. Li Keqiang and Fillon commenced the construction of Taishan nuclear power plant here Monday, a Sino-French joint project in south China's Guangdong Province.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)



Visiting French Prime Minister Francois Fillon addresses the launch of Taishan nuclear power plant in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 21, 2009. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and Fillon commenced the construction of Taishan nuclear power plant here Monday, a Sino-French joint project in south China's Guangdong Province.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and visiting French Prime Minister Francois Fillon attended a ceremony marking the official start of construction of the Taishan nuclear power station Monday.The ceremony also marked the establishment of the biggest Sino-French new energy joint venture to construct and operate the first-phase project of the Taishan nuclear power station, in south China's Guangdong Province.According to China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co. Ltd. (CGNPC), the joint venture, Guangdong Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company Ltd., has a registered capital of about 16.7 billion yuan (2.5 billion U.S. dollars).Electricite de France holds a 30-percent stake and CGNPC 70 percent.During the ceremony, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said the project would significantly deepen Sino-French economic and trade relations.The attendance of the two leaders reflected the importance the two countries attached to enhancing nuclear energy cooperation, CGNPC chairman Qian Zhimin said at the ceremony.Fillon is on his first official visit to China since taking office.He is also expected to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.