China's nuclear power industry should develop its own core technology to be able to expand to overseas markets, said Sun Qin, chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation.

Sun is also a delegate to the ongoing 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

"Copying from others is not a sustainable way of doing things," Sun was quoted by the Economic Daily as saying. "Without our own intellectual property, foreign companies can restrict our use of their equipment and block us from the global market."

China's nuclear energy industry should "know the how as well as the why", before it ascends into the global top positions in terms of nuclear energy, he said.

Meanwhile, he said, the country will continue to boost its investment in the nuclear sector this year.

"Although accurate figures cannot be revealed, there is definitely such a plan," Sun said.