China to advance fusion energy

China will continue to promote the high-quality development of the nuclear industry and deepen its opening-up, innovation and cooperation efforts to advance fusion energy development, senior official said.

The nation will work with the IAEA, the ITER Organization and other countries to continuously advance the sustainable development of global energy innovation; to contribute Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions and Chinese strength to building a clean, beautiful and sustainable world; and to enable fusion energy to better benefit humanity, according to Shan Zhongde, director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, while delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference and Second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group 2025 on Tuesday.

Jointly organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the China Atomic Energy Authority and the Sichuan provincial government, the events held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, have attracted a wide range of attendees, including officials, project leaders, scientists and engineers.

Shan stated that as an important development direction for clean energy in the future, fusion energy boasts numerous outstanding advantages.

China attaches great importance to the development of fusion energy. The country has built a number of large-scale scientific facilities, and is actively advancing in-depth cooperation among industry players, researchers and the international nuclear energy community, he said.

Launched by the IAEA in October 2023 as an international endeavor, the World Fusion Energy Group is tasked with strengthening international consensus, facilitating investment and funding, and accelerating the technology demonstration and commercial application of fusion energy.

The Second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group 2025 had about 150 participants from 27 countries and six international organizations who discussed policies, progress and prospects in the development of fusion energy science, technology and industry.

The 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference is scheduled for five days and includes sessions such as key reports, thematic meetings and technology exhibitions.

The event has attracted nearly 2,000 experts, scholars and industry representatives from 61 countries and international organizations around the world.

As a major result of the two events, the IAEA announced on Tuesday that it has designated the Southwest Institute of Physics of China National Nuclear Corp in Chengdu as its first "Collaborating Center for Fusion Energy Research and Training".

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn