IAEA designates first collaborative research center on fusion energy in SW China

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

More than a month ahead of the Chinese New Year, restaurants across China have reported a booming demand for reunion dinners, with popular places already fully reserved.

The family reunion dinners on the eve of the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important meal of the year for Chinese people. It has long been an essential part of celebrating the Chinese New Year. This year, the festival falls on Feb 17.

In Taiyuan, capital city of north China's Shanxi Province, one restaurant said all tables for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner have been reserved.

"We now have 36 private rooms and 13 tables in the hall. The New Year's Eve dinner is fully booked. Many families started reserving as early as November 2025," said Han Huiyan, a restaurant manager.

To meet the demand, many restaurants start to offer takeaway banquet package that can be easily prepared at home, allowing families to enjoy a variety of festive dishes without dining out.

In Ningbo, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province, many popular restaurants said that they are approaching full reservation levels. To reduce peak demand, some restaurants now offer off-peak reunion dinners starting later at night.

"We now offer a 'second round' of New Year's Eve dinners, which start at 19:30. We also offer discount for such New Year's Eve dinners, a promotion of 20 percent off set menus," said Sun Lijuan, a restaurant manager.

In Lianyungang, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, smaller private rooms of a local restaurant have been nearly sold out, and customized menus and home-delivery services have drawn strong interest.

"This year we have specially launched the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner delivery service. Bookings are very strong and customers really like this option," said Geng Maoran, a restaurant general manager.

Restaurants see surge in bookings for Chinese New Year's Eve dinners