China, GCC countries to deepen peaceful nuclear tech cooperation

China and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries pledged on Monday to strengthen collaboration on the peaceful use of nuclear technology during a forum held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Hosted by the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), the First China-GCC Forum on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology brought together officials and nuclear experts from China, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other GCC countries.

The participants discussed opportunities, challenges and collaborative solutions for the development of nuclear energy technology, sharing insights on current trends and future prospects.

"Nuclear technology has a really wide range of applications, from industries and agriculture to healthcare, environmental protection. The development of nuclear tech could play a huge role in empowering and driving the growth of various sectors. China's nuclear energy and technology sector is growing fast. Back in 2015, the industry was worth around 300 billion yuan (about 41 billion U.S. dollars), but by 2022, it had jumped to about 700 billion (about 96 billion U.S. dollars)," said Huang Ping, secretary general of the CAEA.

China has strengthened its ties with GCC countries in the field of nuclear technology, with its radiation detection equipment being widely exported to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. This technology has played a key role in major events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the Dubai Expo

Chinese firms and universities have also partnered with Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain in the fields of nuclear medicine and basic research.

"China is among the leading nations in the nuclear industry and they have the second largest nuclear company that has most of the value or all of the value chain of nuclear industry. And I think we do have a lot of cooperation but the nuclear industry in general, it's still new in the region. But it's growing fast," said Khalid Aleissa, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC).

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary general of the GCC, said the organization's member states are looking forward to further nuclear technology cooperation with China.

"There are actually many cooperation in nuclear technology between GCC and China. We saw today and heard the possibility that many ways of possibility of cooperation, whether in nuclear energy, nuclear industry, nuclear water desalination, and even nuclear medicine. So we are positive, we are hopeful and we are looking forward for this genuine cooperation with China in the field of nuclear," the secretary general said.

China, GCC countries to deepen peaceful nuclear tech cooperation

Local merchants in Gyirong County of Xigaze City, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, have been providing free relief supplies and essential aid to rescue teams and frontline workers following a catastrophic mudslide.

The deadly mudslide triggered by a glacial collapse on the Nepalese side struck the remote China-Nepal border region on Aug 26 morning.

Zeng Yong, owner of a building materials store in the county, kept his business open around the clock and provided complimentary lodging for rescue and restoration workers in the aftermath of the disaster.

"I didn't think about anything else at all. I just knew that building materials were definitely needed in disaster relief. We provided whatever we had and stayed open all day long," said Zeng.

On the night of the disaster, Zeng and his family and store employees rushed to assemble 16 makeshift beds and urgently purchased bedding supplies. After six to seven hours of intensive effort, they transformed the second-floor office area into a functional rest area for frontline workers.

"On the front line, I was mainly tying steel cages and had been working continuously for two days and one night. The tents at the frontline are all full," said Zhang Xuhui, a worker of China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Bureau Group Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. "Sleeping bags and raincoats are all packed in bags. The moment we receive the order, we just grab our bags and head straight there,” said Lhapa Tsering, a rescuer.

Among those staying at Zeng's store are emergency support personnel, frontline workers and freight drivers. No matter how late they return, Zeng keeps the lights on to welcome them.

"Their rescue work doesn't follow a regular schedule, and sometimes they come back very late. I always keep the light on so they can return at any time," said Zeng.

Across the streets of Gyirong County, temporary volunteer service stations have been set up, operating around the clock to provide a wide range of supplies to rescuers and local residents alike.

"When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides. I have lived here for nearly 30 years -- this place is half my hometown. As long as I can help in any way, even just a little, it is a small token of my appreciation," a local merchant.

Gyirong merchants mobilize to provide free aid to rescue teams, frontline workers