China has suspended the approval for nuclear power stations so that safety standards can be revised after explosions at a nuclear power plant in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture raised concerns, according to the executive meeting of the State Council on March 16. The State Council has required relevant departments to do safety checks at existing plants, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Before the revised safety standards are approved, all new nuclear power plants, including pre-construction works, should be suspended, said the statement.

China has six nuclear power plants in operation, which are located along the country's eastern and southern coasts.