In the context of high-level negotiations that the Argentine ambassador in Beijing, Sabino Vaca Narvaja, has been conducting with Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology Zhang Kejian, on agreements in the areas of nuclear energy, aerospace, and defense, Ambito Financiero reported Dec. 3 that talks are “well advanced” on an agreement by which Argentina’s state-run INVAP company will sell to China two small reactors which produce isotopes for use in nuclear medicine. China imports 85% of the isotopes it needs for medical uses, and Argentina could play an important role as a supplier, which could lead to longer term projects.
Foreign Ministry officials are said to be enthusiastic, as such an agreement represents “a transfer of technology from Argentina to China.” Zhang Kejian is reportedly also a top authority at China’s Atomic Energy Administration, the National Space Agency (CNSA), and at the National Science, Technology and Defense Industry Administration. Other matters being discussed include the signing of the Argentine-China 2021-2025 Space Cooperation Plan, involving space science, exploration of deep space, training of human resources, etc., and China’s construction of Argentina’s fourth nuclear reactor, Atucha III.
