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
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
