Nov 20 2008
One of China’s most senior government officials visited the JET (Joint European Torus) fusion experiment at Culham Science Centre, UK on Wednesday November 19.
Madame LIU Yandong, a member of the State Council – the highest administrative body of the Chinese Government – is on a fact-finding tour of scientific facilities in the UK. She was accompanied at JET by four Chinese ministers and vice-ministers. China’s Ambassador to the UK, Madame FU Ying, also attended, together with a large delegation of Chinese administrators, diplomats and academics.
During her visit, Madame LIU was briefed about Europe’s fusion energy research programme, which is spearheaded by JET, the world’s most powerful fusion device. China is increasing its own fusion research activities, and opened the state-of-the-art EAST machine in 2006.
It is hoped that the visit will lead to increased collaboration between Europe and China on fusion, building on existing research connections. Both are partners in the international ITER fusion experiment now being constructed in France, and several Chinese scientists work at Culham on secondments from their home laboratories.
Madame LIU Yandong said:
“China is very interested in developing international collaborations in new technology to find clean forms of energy, and nuclear fusion is one of the most promising options. JET, as the lead fusion experiment in the world, is very important for the future of mankind. I was honoured to visit JET and impressed by the research and the scientific capability I saw.”
JET Leader, Dr Francesco Romanelli, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Madame Liu and the full delegation to JET. Around the world we face the same challenges in energy supply and climate change, so it makes real sense to work together on solutions. We hope to strengthen our links with China in developing fusion as clean energy for our planet’s future.”