Beijing, Aug 10: Chinese authorities on Wednesday suspended a French-Chinese nuclear waste recycle plant project, following several days of protests led by thousands of inhabitants of the area.

The government in Lianyungang city announced its decision to suspend the project that aimed to process 800 tonnes of waste annually. It was expected to start functioning in 2020, Efe news reported.

Police in riot gear tried to suppress the protest on Sunday. Some protesters were injured in the process.

The waste management plant, which will now have to look for a new site, will be built by China National Nuclear Corporation along with technology borrowed from France’s Areva.

An agreement was signed in 2012 during French President Francois Hollande’s visit to China.

The project is part of China’s plans of becoming a nuclear power, with 35 operating reactors, and 20 more under construction currently, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.