China’s Xinhua news agency runs an article today on the “science island” of Hefei, on, “Economic Watch: Science Island Epitomizes Opening Up of China Science and Technology.” Xinhua writes: “Surrounded by a huge reservoir and dense vegetation, an islet in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, looks tranquil. Yet it is devoted to something very big, namely nuclear fusion research with the future of humanity in mind.
“Science Island is an epitome of innovation and the opening up of China’s science and technology in pursuit of future clean energy, as well as solutions to climate change and health problems, through global cooperation.”
Hefei is also instrumental in carrying out some of the heavy lifting for the giant International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project based in France, built by seven countries: China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. Nearly 10% of ITER’s procurement programs were undertaken by China. The Institute of Plasma Physics, which is responsible for the ITER work, is located on Hefei’s “Science Island.”
“One thing I really like here is, as you can see in the control room, the large number of young people that are involved in the project. This is exactly what fusion needs,” said Richard Pitts, leader of ITER’s Experiments and Plasma Operation Section.
The feature explains that China has also committed to building a tokamak in Thailand, the first fusion program in Southeast Asia. “Aiming to enhance Thailand’s capability in fusion research, the two sides had decided to join hands to build the first tokamak device in an ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] country, while also helping Thailand cultivate a team of young talents in fusion research,” writes Xinhua.