The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has designated a Chinese institution as its first Center for Research and Training in Fusion Energy, reflecting China's contributions in the global quest to achieve a workable fusion reactor.
The designation was awarded to the Southwestern Institute of Physics (SWIP) at the opening ceremony of the Second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group 2025 and the 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
SWIP, a fusion research center under the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), hosts the HL-3, China's largest and most advanced tokamak -- a fusion device that uses powerful magnetic fields. It also holds the HL-2A, a medium-sized tokamak.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the new center will play an effective role in driving fusion research and development.
"Now, we are seeing great impulse, great momentum. In China, there are a number of important experiments around it, in Europe, in the United States, in different parts of the world. We have also been able to recognize very distinguished Chinese institutions like the Southwestern Institute of Physics, which has been at the forefront of these efforts for many, many years. And they are now the first international collaborating center of the IAEA in the area of fusion," said Grossi.
Pietro Barabaschi was also in attendance as the director-general of the Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization, which oversees a collaborative project between 33 countries to the world's largest tokamak.
Barabaschi offered his congratulations to SWIP and highlighted the institute's previous contributions to ITER, including providing key technologies and components.
"The local institute SWIP is a very strong partner also of the ITER project, we have a number of contracts with them. They are heavily involved in the execution of the project, so many fronts. So, I really appreciate that and the fact that the IAEA has also recognized the position of SWIP in the world," he said.
IAEA designates first collaborative research center on fusion energy in SW China
IAEA designates first collaborative research center on fusion energy in SW China
