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The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) was established on 16 September 1988 by a Government of China decree. CNNC's president and vice-president are appointed by the Premier of the State Council. However the CNNC is a self-supporting economic corporation, not a government administrative body. It oversees all aspects of China's civilian and military nuclear programs. According to it own mission statement, it "combines military nuclear weapons production with civilian production, taking nuclear industry as the basis while developing nuclear power and promoting a diversified economy." CNNC is a nationwide industrial conglomerate integrating science, technology, industry, and international trade. The CNNC, also known as the China National Atomic Energy Authority, is in charge of foreign affairs, international conference and Sino-foreign co-operation and exchanges in nuclear field.

In 1996, the Export-Import Bank of the United States --- the official export credit agency of the United States federal government --- made a $120 million low-interest loan to the China National Nuclear Power Corporation (CNNP).

The CNNC is the successor to the Ministry of Nuclear Industry which built China's first atom bomb, hydrogen bomb and nuclear submarine. It functioned as a government bureau for the national nuclear industry and reported directly to the State Council. It oversaw China's nuclear-related corporations, manufacturers, institutions, research institutes, and plants, including those related to nuclear weapons. It was responsible for the design and operation of nuclear power plants; nuclear fuel production and supply, including the processing of natural uranium, uranium conversion and enrichment, fuel assembly fabrication, spent fuel reprocessing, and nuclear waste disposal.

• China National Nuclear Corporation