Construction sites. Welding of the primary coolant pipeline has been completed ahead of schedule at Unit 8 of the Tianwan NPP being constructed in China with input from Rosatom. The pipeline connects key components of the reactor unit, including the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, and primary coolant pumps. Meanwhile, cold and hot functional tests on the reactor began at the neighboring Unit 7. These tests mark the transition to full-scale commissioning activities. “Every equipment parameter and every operation mode are tested in the conditions closest to the actual operation of the reactor, but without nuclear fuel. This is a comprehensive examination of all systems of the power unit to confirm they are ready for safe and reliable operation for decades to come,” said Fyodor Zuev, project manager at CNIITMASH (part of Rosatom). The Tianwan NPP is the largest economic cooperation project between Russia and China, involving construction of two Russian-designed power units (Units 7 and 8) with VVER-1200 reactors. Four previously built units with VVER-1000 reactors are operating successfully.