China Taishan plant: 'Performance issue' reported at nuclear facility

A French energy company says it has deliberately released gas from a Chinese nuclear power plant in a bid to fix a "performance issue".

EDF Energy confirmed that there was a build-up of noble gases in one of the two reactors' primary circuits.

It comes after CNN reported that the US government had been assessing reports of a leak at the Taishan plant.

The facility's Chinese part-owner, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group, refuted claims of a leak on Monday.

A spokesperson for EDF Energy said that the coating on some of the fuel rods had deteriorated.

The company said gases were collected and treated before being released into the atmosphere in "accordance with regulations".