China establishes nuclear industry alliance to promote technology applications

China on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new nuclear industry alliance aimed at advancing the country's nuclear technology application sector, bringing together key players from the industrial chain, leading nuclear energy corporations, and research organizations. 

At an action conference held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) launched the ambitious initiative to build partnerships among enterprises, universities, research institutes and social organizations in the field of nuclear technology application, aiming to form a long-term and stable community of shared interests based on joint investment and common development.

According to CNNC, the alliance will include a council, a secretariat, and committees dedicated to nuclear medicine, irradiation and safety inspection.

"This collaborative platform has been established to facilitate exchanges, cooperation and joint development across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the nuclear technology industry chain," said Du Jin, CNNC chief scientist. 

The establishment of the alliance comes after China Atomic Energy Authority and other central authorities jointly rolled out a three-year action plan to promote the nuclear technology application industry, which is expected to see its annual direct economic output value hit 400 billion yuan (about 56 billion U.S. dollars) by 2026.

According to the plan, the development of nuclear technology application industry is an inevitable trend to promote the high-quality development of the nuclear industry, as well as an important means of supporting the transformation and upgrading of the national economy.

Alliance members and stakeholders say they're ready to work hand in hand. 

"We will be a leading unit on the alliance's security inspection committee. We will coordinate with businesses, public institutions, and research organizations in this field," said Li Chengfu, president of Tongfang Co., Ltd, a high-tech enterprise that mainly operates businesses including information technology and applied nuclear technology.

"China Isotope and Radiation Corporation will continue to make efforts in the field of nuclear medicine and equipment and radiation technology," said Zhang Junqi, general manager of China Isotope and Radiation Corporation, the country's largest nuclear enterprise in the aspects of research and development, manufacture, distribution and service of nuclear products. 

By 2026, the independent innovation capability of China's nuclear technology application industry will be significantly enhanced, and the industrial field will be further expanded, according to the government's action plan released in late October. 

Over the next three years, breakthroughs will be made in a number of key technologies, a number of innovation platforms will be built, and new enterprises will be cultivated, focusing on the application of nuclear technology in the fields such as medical diagnosis and treatment, agricultural breeding, food processing, safety and security, said the plan. 

China establishes nuclear industry alliance to promote technology applications

The White House Office of Management and Budget released its 2027 budget proposal on Friday, which would raise U.S. defense spending to 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars while reducing funding for domestic programs.

The budget plan "builds on the president's vision by continuing to constrain non-defense spending and reform the federal government," according to a document published on the White House website.

At a White House event on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the defense spending as a priority, noting that domestic responsibilities such as health care should be shifted to the states.

"We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care. You got to let a state take care of day care, and they should pay for it, too," Trump said.

Aside from cuts to health programs, the White House budget proposal also includes cuts to refugee resettlement aid, renewable energy projects, university grants and housing programs, among others.

The president's annual budget is often seen as a reflection of the administration's priorities, though Congress ultimately holds the authority over federal spending.

The release of the White House 2027 budget proposal came as Congress remains deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats pushing for immigration enforcement reforms that Republicans refuse to accept. This led to a partial government shutdown that has stretched on for nearly seven weeks.

White House seeks 1.5 trillion USD in defense spending in 2027 budget proposal