Nuclear power generation, harnessing energy from nuclear fission reactions using uranium-235 or plutonium-239, offers high energy density and low carbon emissions, positioning it as a critical solution for climate change mitigation. Despite advantages like stability and efficiency, challenges persist in waste management, accident risks, and costs. Global nuclear development has evolved through four phases: verification (1950s–1960s), rapid expansion (1960s–1980s), stagnation post-Chernobyl (1980s–2000s), and resurgence driven by third-generation reactors (AP1000, EPR) and small modular reactors. China’s nuclear journey mirrors this trajectory, progressing from early Soviet-assisted projects (Qinshan, 1991) to rapid expansion with foreign collaborations (Daya Bay, Ling Ao) and eventually achieving technological independence via indigenous innovations like Hualong One and CAP1400. International partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Pakistan’s Karachi plant, highlight China’s global nuclear influence. Uranium remains the primary fuel, with Australia, Kazakhstan, and Canada holding major reserves, while thorium emerges as a sustainable alternative. As humanity confronts climate and energy crises, nuclear power stands at a crossroads—balancing its transformative potential with safety, sustainability, and global cooperation will define its role in a cleaner future.