But the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a notice in 2012 that maintained the suspension of all inland nuclear projects until 2015, citing what it said are higher risks in inland regions.

Nuclear power 'to fall short of demand'

Hunan reactor ready to resume construction

Wang Yumin, deputy director of the National Energy Administration, said in March that inland projects, which have been included in the next five-year plan, will start work after coastal projects are completed.

The Taohua River nuclear project in Hunan province was said to be progressing despite the ban. But China National Nuclear Corp, the parent company of the project, said on its website that it had only done some "advocacy work" and prepared the necessary documents.

As China's worsening air pollution continues to exact a significant economic toll, the country is pressing ahead with more nuclear projects, as noted in Premier Li Keqiang's government work report, which stressed the need to combat air pollution.

Zhang Zhuhua, general director of the China Nuclear Energy Association, told the forum that China's nuclear industry is still recovering after the Japan nuclear crisis, so it needs to address many challenges in terms of safety and quality control.

China has 19 nuclear power plants in operation with total installed capacity of 17.01 million kilowatts. Another 29 reactors are scheduled to be built, the world's largest nuclear power construction program, according to the CNEA.