Xinhua Exclusive Interview | China Makes Significant Contributions to the "Artificial Sun" Project — Interview with Alain Bécoulet, Deputy Director-General and Chief Scientist of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor Organization

On July 26, 2027, Xinhua News Agency published an exclusive interview with Alain Bécoulet, Deputy Director-General and Chief Scientist of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization, on China's significant contributions to the "Artificial Sun" project and its role in accelerating global fusion research. Bécoulet noted that China plays a fundamental role in supplying ITER components (superconducting technology, cables, magnet manufacturing, cryostats, etc.), and that the tokamak installation work undertaken by the Chinese consortium "exceeded expectations in terms of time and cost." He also stated that facilities such as EAST, HL-3, and BEST provide ITER with experimental predictions, component testing, and technical twin validation. He believes that through sustained investment and international cooperation, China has begun to play a leading role in the global fusion field.

2026-07-27

Chinese Delegation Attends 2026 Annual Meeting on Implementation of Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Ministry of Science and Technology and ITER Organization

On July 7-8, 2026, the 2026 Annual Meeting on Implementation of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the ITER Organization was held at the ITER Organization Headquarters. Deputy Director Yan Xiaohong of the Nuclear Fusion Center led the Chinese delegation to the meeting. The Chinese delegation conducted in-depth exchanges with senior ITER management and relevant department heads on topics including project progress, personnel dispatch, public outreach and science education, and international schools. During the meeting, both sides agreed that the ITER Project has made significant progress since the 2024 baseline update. ITER Deputy Director-General Kamada highly commended the outstanding performance of the Chinese consortium in the assembly of the tokamak, noting that the installation efficiency of individual sectors has more than tripled, playing a core role in advancing the project's critical path. China expressed its commitment to further deepening comprehensive cooperation with the ITER Organization and contributing Chinese strength to the successful implementation of the ITER Project.

2026-07-15

ITER Organization Director-General Attends Aix Economic Forum to Discuss Complexity Management of Pioneering Strongly-Coupled Mega-Projects

From July 2 to 4, the Aix Economic Forum (Les Rencontres Économiques d’Aix) was held in Provence, France, under the annual theme "Navigating a World of Uncertainty." Pietro Barabaschi, Director-General of the ITER Organization, was invited to attend the forum, where he presented the ITER Project and its pivotal role in addressing future energy challenges. His remarks centered on two core themes—climate change and the energy crisis—covering topics such as mega-project management experience and the development of the global fusion industry. As the world's first fusion verification experimental reactor, ITER's core mission is to validate the engineering feasibility of fusion power generation, paving the way for subsequent demonstration fusion power plants...

2026-07-15