Prior to the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit to be held in US at the end of March. China and Washington activated a joint facility, China’s Nuclear Security Center of Excellence in Beijing on Friday. this marks the latest achievement of the cooperation efforts between two countries.
China and the US are working together to improve nuclear security. The Nuclear Security Center of Excellence in Beijing is the result of years of cooperation and exchange. Its completion marks a major improvement in nuclear security in the Asian-Pacific region.
“Under the efforts of both China and the US, we have completed the facility one year ahead of schedule. Six years ago, leaders of both countries had reached consensus and now it is a reality,” said Ma Kai,Vice Premier of China's State Council.
Located in the north east of Beijing, the center has cutting-edge equipment and training facilities. It will address China’s training requirements. It could also provide a forum for bilateral and regional best practice exchanges, and serve as a venue for demonstrating advanced technologies related to nuclear security.
“So having China now taking leadership role along with United States and other countries is absolutely critical. The Chairman has given some examples. I want to first reinforce now following the tour that this is absolutely world-class facility, this Center of Excellence,” said US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.
China Atomic Energy Authority and the US Department of Energy have been working together closely since the start of the project in 2013. Cooperation between two countries has further improved in recent years.
“We have carried out extensive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and bilateral cooperation with the United States has reached a new level. We are happy to know that the cooperation between the China Institute of Atomic Energy and the United States had achieved very good results,"
"We have realized the conversion of Prototype Miniature Neutron Source Reactor with Low Enrichment Uranium this March,” said Xu Dazhe, Director of China Atomic Energy Authority.
The center will provide training for 50 groups a year on nuclear security for China as well as other countries across the world, while further improving efficiency and cooperation on nuclear security among the international community.
China also plans to continue its efforts on increasing nuclear security, including legislation, protecting nuclear facilities, controling nuclear material, and the research and development of relative technology.
