Ali Akbar Salehi, director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), held talks on Wednesday with senior Chinese officials including Chairman of China Atomic Energy Authority Xu Dazhe.

The officials called for implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)- the official name of the nuclear accord between Iran and major powers - and cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy.

According to IRNA, the IAEO is seeking to develop cooperation with Chinese Atomic Energy Authority on construction of small power plants with the capacity of 100 megawatts with cost-effective expenses.

The plants will generate electricity, produce industrial steam, and desalinate water, the report said.

“The outstanding features of these power stations are electricity generation, the production of industrial steam, and desalination,” said Salehi, a nuclear physicist.

He expressed hope that the two countries will be able to sign a memorandum of understating in this respect.

Salehi and Xu underlined that the need for construction of such power plants in Iran to generate a total amount of 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

The two officials assigned related experts of both countries to consider necessary grounds for development of cooperation.

The AEOI head and his accompanying delegation arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning for a three-day visit.

Salehi is scheduled to hold meetings with a number of high-ranking Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

He is also due to visit the China National Nuclear Corporation, China Institute of Atomic Energy and some other Chinese institutions active in the field of peaceful nuclear energy.

--------- ‘Task force to be formed to design Arak reactor’

Upon arrival to China, Salehi told reporters that Iran and China plan to form a working group to design the Arak heavy water reactor.

“Since the issue of designing the Arak reactor has been raised in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and China has been designated as Iran’s [negotiating] side in this regard, it is necessary to discuss the matter seriously with the Chinese side,” Press TV quoted Salehi as saying.

He noted that in addition to China, the U.S. will also be part of the task force on the Arak reactor, adding that other members of the 5+1 group or countries outside the group like South Korea can also participate in the project if approved by the Islamic Republic and the other six countries.

Under the JCPOA, signed between Iran and the 5+1 group of world powers on July 14, limits will be put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all economic and financial bans against Tehran.

Iran’s nuclear chief further described relations between Tehran and Beijing as “special,” saying Sino-Iranian ties have been promoted considerably in recent years, given the existing international situation.

MD/P