Russia’s alarming nuclear proposal to China could challenge US dominance

Russia has vowed to help China overtake the United States to become the world’s biggest producer of nuclear power.

Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, made a significant announcement during a state TV broadcast on Wednesday, following discussions in Beijing.

Likhachev revealed that Moscow is ‘already helping’ China topple the US from its perch and has helped build four more reactors.

‘China has ambitious plans for the development of atomic energy,’ Likhachev said.

‘The task has been set to catch up and surpass the United States in installed capacity, which means reaching a capacity of more than 100 gigawatts.’

In response to whether Russia would assist China, which is rapidly developing numerous reactors, Likhachev stated: ‘Of course. We will help. We are already helping.’

The United States currently holds the world title for the largest network of nuclear reactors, with nearly 97 gigawatts of installed capacity. 

China, as of April 2024, had 53.2 gigawatts of operating nuclear power reactor capacity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Russia has committed to aiding China in surpassing the United States to become the leading global producer of nuclear power. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin with Chinese President Xi Jinping

The United States currently leads the world with the largest network of nuclear reactors, boasting nearly 97 gigawatts of installed capacity. Pictured: The Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in Avila Beach, California, US

Alexei Likhachev, the chief of Russia’s Rosatom state nuclear corporation, mentioned in a Wednesday broadcast that Russia is ‘already helping’ China overtake the US as the foremost nuclear power.

Likhachev noted that China’s plans require significant supplies of uranium and nuclear fuel, necessitating a new generation of closed nuclear fuel cycle reactors based on Russian technology.

The broadcast was made following talks in Beijing, as Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for a military parade.

The parade Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary since the end of World War II and victory over Japan. 

It was the first time the three leaders, all major rivals of the West, have ever gathered in the same place at the same time. 

Observers said the rare joint appearance was a show of unity against the United States.

And the message seems to have got through to US president Donald Trump, who asked on Truth Social whether China would recognize the US’ contribution to World War II.

He also asked Xi to ‘give my warmest regards to [Putin and Kim] as you conspire against the United States’.

The latest alliance comes after China announced plans to build a nuclear plant on the moon to power a research station planned with Russia. 

Pictured: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (left), China’s President Xi Jinping (center), and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (right) at the 80th anniversary end of World War II military parade in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, September 3, 2025

US President Donald Trump wrote on X and asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to ‘give my warmest regards to [Putin and Kim] as you conspire against the United States’

Along with its goal to become the strongest nuclear power, China also has aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. 

The planned Chang’e-8 mission for 2028 would also lay the groundwork for constructing a permanent, manned lunar base. 

Russia’s space agency Roscosmos also said last year it planned to build a nuclear reactor on the moon’s surface with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) by 2035 to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). 

China’s timeline to build an outpost on the moon’s south pole coincides with NASA’s more ambitious and advanced Artemis program, which aims to put U.S. astronauts back on the lunar surface in December 2025.

The ILRS would be a permanent base located within 62 miles of the moon’s South Pole, involving the work of 17 countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand and South Africa.

The groundwork will be laid by China’s upcoming Chang’e-8 mission, which will be the nation’s first attempted human moon landing.

This means that the moon, and especially the south pole, is now becoming the target of a new international space race.

Dr Mark Hilborne, a security studies expert from King’s College London, told Daily Mail: ‘The Moon is a place where nations will have competing interests. There will be parts of the moon that are more valuable than others and, therefore, could be particular points of competition.

China, as of April 2024, had 53.2 gigawatts of operating nuclear power reactor capacity. The country’s goal to surpass the US has already been aided by Russia after it helped build four more reactors. Pictured: The Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in Avila Beach, California, US

China announced plans to build a nuclear plant on the moon to power a research station planned with Russia in 2028

‘The Moon is valuable as a low-gravity staging base where future space developments can be built. Lunar materials, mined in situ, would be valuable in building elements that would further lunar exploration. 

‘If these could be built on the Moon, rather than sent from Earth, the cost would be far cheaper.’

The big concern for the US, and presumably Russia and China, is that whatever country starts building on the moon first could effectively claim it as its own territory.

Countries’ dealings in space are governed by a set of rules called the Outer Space Treaty, which was first signed in 1967.

In the future, China will create the ‘555 Project,’ inviting 50 countries, 500 international scientific research institutions, and 5,000 overseas researchers to join the ILRS.

Researchers from Roscosmos also presented details about plans to look for mineral and water resources, including possibly using lunar material as fuel.