China expands nuclear export to Southeast Asia
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- China operates 61 nuclear reactors and has 36 under construction, making its fleet the world’s third‑largest.
- China offers comprehensive turnkey nuclear solutions, covering engineering, procurement, construction, financing, training, and long‑term fuel supply, thanks to domestic production of about 90 % of reactor components.
- Vietnam and Russia signed a March 2026 agreement to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant.
- Philippines and Indonesia plan to have reactors operational by the early 2030s.
- Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore are studying small modular reactors for future energy planning.
Why it matters: Regional governments gain access to affordable, fast‑track nuclear power—Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan 1 plant, Philippines‑Indonesia reactors by the early 2030s—while China secures long‑term fuel contracts and strategic footholds, altering Southeast Asia’s energy mix and geopolitical balance.
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