Premier Li Keqiang meets with Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and chairman of Terra Power, in Beijing on Nov 12, 2015. [Photo/China Daily]

Premier Li Keqiang said China supports joint research with the United States on nuclear power projects to integrate China's industrial capacity with overseas advanced energy technologies.

Li made the remarks while meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who is chairman of Terra Power, a nuclear energy technology company based in Bellevue, Washington.

Li said the Chinese government encourages combining domestic industrial capacity and advanced technologies and design from the US. Safety, low cost and sustainability are the keys to such an effort, he added.

"China is taking on a greener, more sustainable path, during which we welcome cooperation on clean energy development and to fight against climate change," Li said.

Gates is in Beijing to promote the design of a traveling wave reactor, a new nuclear design using fourth-generation technology.

Terra Power, founded in 2006, is working closely with China National Nuclear Corp to conduct research into the use of the new technology.

"Energy is a key part of our modern lifestyle," Gates said. China aims to have 58 gigawatts of nuclear power in operation, and at least 30GW under construction, by 2020.