China rolls out plan to promote nuclear technology industry

China on Wednesday established an alliance to promote the development of the nuclear technology industry, with a group involving key industry stakeholders in the industrial chain and nuclear energy corporations.

The establishment of the alliance comes after China's Atomic Energy Authority recently rolled out a three-year plan that aims for the annual economic output of its nuclear technology application industry to reach 400 billion yuan, or about $56 billion dollars, by 2026.

"By coordinating the whole nuclear technology industrial chain, the alliance will set up a platform for cooperation and exchanges and will make the industrial chain safer and the supply chain more resilient," said Du Jin, chief scientist of China National Nuclear Corporation.

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

"We will be a leading unit on the alliance's security-check committee. We will coordinate with enterprises and institutions in the field to jointly promote the integration of innovation, industry, capital and talents," said Li Chengfu, president of Tongfang Co., Ltd. 

"We will continue to make efforts in the field of nuclear medicine and equipment and radiation technology, to increase investment in research and development, and to develop more upgraded products and technologies to benefit people," said Zhang Junqi, general manager of China Isotope and Radiation Corporation.

Authorities say they're also aiming to build greater industrial chains that will enable cooperation and other projects, and much of that focus will include cooperation in innovative fields, resource sharing and industrial empowerment.

Nuclear technology is used across nearly one third of the world's manufacturing sector and more than 150 countries and regions are researching, developing and applying it.

Besides offering fuels and energy, nuclear technology has wide applications in people's daily lives, like medical diagnosis and treatment, agricultural breeding, food processing, material modification, and security checks.

(Cover via CNNC)