China has installed the lowest tier of the inner steel containment shell for its first commercial nuclear project using the domestic Linglong One small modular reactor design, China National Nuclear Corporation said.

CNNC said the component, which weighs about 450 tonnes and has a diameter of 15 metres, was installed 46 days ahead of schedule.

According to CNNC, the finished containment of the Linglong One will consist of the lower tier and an additional upper tier and a dome.