Supporting International Fusion Research:- 

Since its establishment in 2006, the EAST project has become a critical platform for both Chinese and international scientists to conduct experimental research on nuclear fusion. As an open research facility, EAST has contributed significantly to advancing fusion energy technology by facilitating collaborations between scientists from various countries.

In the same year, China officially joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program as its seventh member. Under the terms of the agreement, China is responsible for approximately 9 percent of ITER’s construction and operational costs. The Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) plays a pivotal role as the primary institution managing China’s contributions to the project.

Located in southern France, ITER is poised to become the world’s largest experiment in magnetic confinement plasma physics and the largest tokamak nuclear fusion reactor once it is completed. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a clean and virtually limitless energy source, offering hope for addressing global energy needs while reducing environmental impact.

In recent years, EAST has made remarkable progress in achieving breakthroughs in high-confinement mode, which is a key operational state for both ITER and the future China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR). These advancements are providing critical insights into plasma behavior and reactor design, which will be invaluable for future fusion power plants worldwide. As EAST continues to set new records, it is helping to shape the future of fusion energy and playing a vital role in the global effort to harness this revolutionary power source. The lessons learned from EAST’s experiments are paving the way for the next generation of fusion reactors, bringing us one step closer to realizing fusion energy as a sustainable and practical solution for the world’s energy challenges.

“We aim to enhance international collaboration through EAST and make fusion energy a practical source of power for humanity,” stated SONG Yuntao.

In Hefei, Anhui Province, China, where the EAST project is based, new experimental fusion research facilities are under construction. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to speed up the development and application of fusion energy, advancing efforts to make it a viable and sustainable energy source.

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