Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Hefei, December 31 (Xinhua) — Russian specialists are actively participating in joint projects with their Chinese counterparts on controlled thermonuclear fusion, making significant contributions to research, and noting the complementary nature of bilateral scientific and technical cooperation in this strategically important area. This was reported by representatives of the scientific community working in China.
On the "Island of Science" in the suburbs of Hefei (the administrative capital of Anhui Province, eastern China), where the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is located, even late at night you can find Victoria Saklakova at work. She holds the position of manager of the International Cooperation Department at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences. Her responsibilities include intensive interaction with Russian and international experts, particularly with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) agency in Russia.
The "Island of Science," covering an area of no more than 3 square kilometers, is renowned for its unique research facilities, including the experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as China's "artificial sun." More than 300 foreign scientists visit the island annually, a significant number of whom are from Russia.
Russia is the birthplace of tokamak technology and possesses extensive technological expertise, as well as nuclear power plant resources for testing next-generation materials for thermonuclear fusion. China, meanwhile, is demonstrating growing scientific prowess and possesses unique research equipment. This creates ideal conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation, emphasized Victoria Saklakova.
As a reminder, on November 24, in Hefei, the Chinese Academy of Sciences officially launched the international scientific program "Burning Plasma" and presented its BEST research program to the global fusion community for the first time. Anatoly Krasilnikov, director of the ITER Project Center, a private institution of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, attended the ceremony. He, along with scientists from other countries, signed the "Hefei Declaration on Fusion." The document proclaims the principles of openness, resource sharing, and a commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation, encouraging researchers from around the world to work in China.
ITER is one of the largest and most significant international scientific projects of our time, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of commercializing nuclear fusion energy. China is a key contributor to the ITER project and maintains stable collaboration with more than 120 scientific institutions from 50 countries. Russia is also making a significant contribution to ITER's implementation.
Fusion research is extremely complex. Today, it's necessary not only to collide and combine ideas and technologies, but also to develop interpersonal interactions and create joint teams. This is crucial, stated Anatoly Krasilnikov.
He noted that Russia supplied 29 systems for ITER, demonstrating its leadership in these areas. China also manufactured numerous advanced systems for the project.
"Combining our best practices will double our overall potential. Sharing knowledge to accelerate progress is a natural and wise path. Such cooperation is essential," the Russian scientist believes.
He expressed interest in participating in the BEST project and his willingness to invite Chinese institutes to work on Russian nuclear fusion programs.
The Director of the Russian ITER Agency placed particular emphasis on the importance of training a new generation of scientists: "We are very interested in young Russian researchers participating in work in China, and our Chinese colleagues participating in experiments and developments in Russia. This will lay the foundation for future success."
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