China establishes nuclear industry alliance to promote technology applications

China on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new nuclear industry alliance aimed at advancing the country's nuclear technology application sector, bringing together key players from the industrial chain, leading nuclear energy corporations, and research organizations. 

At an action conference held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) launched the ambitious initiative to build partnerships among enterprises, universities, research institutes and social organizations in the field of nuclear technology application, aiming to form a long-term and stable community of shared interests based on joint investment and common development.

According to CNNC, the alliance will include a council, a secretariat, and committees dedicated to nuclear medicine, irradiation and safety inspection.

"This collaborative platform has been established to facilitate exchanges, cooperation and joint development across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the nuclear technology industry chain," said Du Jin, CNNC chief scientist. 

The establishment of the alliance comes after China Atomic Energy Authority and other central authorities jointly rolled out a three-year action plan to promote the nuclear technology application industry, which is expected to see its annual direct economic output value hit 400 billion yuan (about 56 billion U.S. dollars) by 2026.

According to the plan, the development of nuclear technology application industry is an inevitable trend to promote the high-quality development of the nuclear industry, as well as an important means of supporting the transformation and upgrading of the national economy.

Alliance members and stakeholders say they're ready to work hand in hand. 

"We will be a leading unit on the alliance's security inspection committee. We will coordinate with businesses, public institutions, and research organizations in this field," said Li Chengfu, president of Tongfang Co., Ltd, a high-tech enterprise that mainly operates businesses including information technology and applied nuclear technology.

"China Isotope and Radiation Corporation will continue to make efforts in the field of nuclear medicine and equipment and radiation technology," said Zhang Junqi, general manager of China Isotope and Radiation Corporation, the country's largest nuclear enterprise in the aspects of research and development, manufacture, distribution and service of nuclear products. 

By 2026, the independent innovation capability of China's nuclear technology application industry will be significantly enhanced, and the industrial field will be further expanded, according to the government's action plan released in late October. 

Over the next three years, breakthroughs will be made in a number of key technologies, a number of innovation platforms will be built, and new enterprises will be cultivated, focusing on the application of nuclear technology in the fields such as medical diagnosis and treatment, agricultural breeding, food processing, safety and security, said the plan. 

China establishes nuclear industry alliance to promote technology applications

China has become the largest contributor to global greening and an international model for desertification prevention and control since signing the UN Convention to Combat Desertification 30 years ago.

Desertification has become one of the most severe environmental challenges facing humanity, as it leads to more sand and dust storms, jeopardizes food security, displaces communities and fuels conflicts.

Delegates from around the world are convening for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Dec. 2-13 to seek agreements and accelerate joint actions to support sustainable land management and climate resilience.

During the COP16, China has set up the "China Pavilion" to share its successful desertification control efforts and experiences, notably through initiatives such as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. The exhibition highlights China's enduring and painstaking efforts in combating desertification, drawing attention and admiration from the international community.

China has one of the world's largest affected areas, particularly in the northwestern, northern and northeastern regions that feature vast dryland and desert.

Through initiatives like the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, China has added 32 million hectares to afforestation areas, restored 85.3 million hectares of degraded grassland, and rehabilitated 33.3 million hectares of desertified land since 1978.

Noteworthy achievements include the creation of the world's largest man-made forest in Saihanba in northern China's Hebei Province, the completion of the world's largest ecological restoration project in Maowusu in northwestern China's Shaanxi Province, and the transformation of the Kubuqi Desert in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region into a thriving green landscape.

Over the past 30 years, China's desertification control efforts have garnered global acclaim, particularly through the recent intensification of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which has significantly increased forest coverage in the project area from just over 5 percent in the 1970s to 13.84 percent now.

As of the end of 2023, China's forest coverage rate had exceeded 25 percent, with a forest stock surpassing 20 billion cubic meters and the largest artificial forest area globally, further consolidating China's position as the world's leader in greening efforts.

China leads global greening efforts, showcasing desertification control success at UN conference