China has approved 11 nuclear reactors across five sites, state media reported, as the country continues its push to combat rising emissions from fossil fuels.

Premier Li Qiang presided over a State Council executive meeting on Monday that gave the green light to the projects, Xinhua said.

China National Nuclear Power received approval for three reactors, the company said in a statement on WeChat, while State Power Investment Corp said it had received approval for two units.

CGN Power Co, the listed unit of China General Nuclear Power Corp, said in a Hong Kong stock exchange filing that it received approvals for six reactors in three sites.

China currently has 56 operating reactors, accounting for around 5 percent of its total electricity generation, according to the World Nuclear Association.

The new reactors will be spread across Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, China Energy News reported.

Business news outlet Jiemian reported the total investment for all 11 reactors was expected to exceed 220 billion yuan, with construction taking around five years. (AFP)