BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Financed by China and the United States, the largest nuclear security center in the Asian-Pacific region is expected to be up and running in 2015.

Located in Changyang science and technology park in Beijing, the Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security is fitted out with labs, exhibition areas, classrooms, test sites and response force exercise facilities, said Wang Yiren, vice chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) which will administer the center.

The center will deal with protection and control of nuclear materials, import and export management, and international exchange. It will help China improve nuclear security and management and be a regional hub for training and exchange, Wang said. It will also play a role in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear power.

Upon completion, the Beijing center will be able to train about 2,000 nuclear-security staff every year, said Deng Ge, director of the State Nuclear Security Center.

Construction of the center began in December 2013.

The Chinese government has attached great importance to nuclear security and has maintained a good record in the field since the 1950s, Wang said.

China has set up a control and accounting mechanism for nuclear materials with different requirements on storage, usage and transportation, Wang said

China has also adopted measures for safeguarding the security of nuclear facilities, he added.

Wang said China has 17 nuclear power generating units in operation and another 31 in construction. By 2020, China is expected to have nearly 60 nuclear power generating units with total installed capacity reaching 58 gigawatts.

The efficiency and cost control of China's nuclear power projects are taking a leading role in the world, attracting interest of the international market, he said.