Technology was another issue. Some scientists insisted that China should build its first nuclear power plant with domestic technology. Others thought China should use foreign technology, which was more advanced and reliable.

A site for a nuclear power plant also became a problem. Shanghai's Chongming Island, Jiangyin city in Jiangsu province, and Zhoushan Island in Zhejiang province were considered as possible sites, but were abandoned for safety or environmental reasons.

Qinshan was then taken into the consideration. Facing Hangzhou Bay with some hills, it was ideal geographically and convenient for transportation.

In 1981, China finally approved the construction of its first nuclear power plant at Qinshan with a Chinese-made pressurized water reactor with a capacity of 300 MW.

Construction began four years later. However, in 1986 when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster occurred in the former Soviet Union, it again triggered concerns about nuclear power and the safety of the Qinshan project. The Chernobyl accident caused many deaths and long-term radiation pollution, and changed the pace of development of the nuclear power industry globally.

Additionally, because the Qinshan plant was designed and constructed domestically, some experts worried about safety during the construction process; others even wanted to halt construction.