(Yicai Global) March 4 -- The former head of  China's leading state-owned nuclear power group expects the country to  restart approvals of new projects soon.

China is home to the most under-construction nuclear power plants  worldwide but has not green-lighted any new projects in three years,  Wang Shoujun, former Chairman at China National Nuclear, said at the  annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese  People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political  advisory body.  

Wang also expects China to develop the overseas market and maintain solid global partnerships.

China has 44 nuclear power generating units in  operation with an installed capacity of 44.5 million kilowatts, ranking  third globally as of the end of last year. It has 11 units under  construction with an installed capacity of 12.1 million kW according to  official documentation. 

China has lowered the total output of thermal power  in recent years and raised those of hydropower, nuclear power, wind  power and optoelectronics. However, thermal still accounts for more than  70 percent of overall output. As an emerging clean energy sector in  China, nuclear power is safe, reliable, and economical, thus  irreplaceable, Wang said. 

China started construction of its this year's first nuclear power project since 2015 in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, on Feb. 26.