This photo shows a scene of a side event under the theme "Cooperating in small modular reactor innovation for a shared future" during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 14, 2026. China has called for strengthening international cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs) and promoting technological innovation. During the ongoing 70th General Conference of the IAEA, China on Monday hosted a side event under the theme "Cooperating in SMR innovation for a shared future," with participants making in-depth exchanges on standards coordination, capacity building and application of SMRs. (Xinhua/He Canling)
VIENNA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has called for strengthening international cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs) and promoting technological innovation.
During the ongoing 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), China on Monday hosted a side event under the theme "Cooperating in SMR innovation for a shared future," with participants making in-depth exchanges on standards coordination, capacity building and application of SMRs.
Shan Zhongde, director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, said that China regards nuclear energy as an important option for building a new type of energy system and achieving its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
Relying on its well-established innovation capabilities, industrial chains, and talent reserves in the nuclear industry, China has become one of the pioneers and trailblazers in the development and deployment of SMRs, he added.
Shan said that China will promote cooperation in technological innovation in the SMR industry, while balancing development and security.
It will also strengthen joint training of professionals and make full use of multilateral cooperation platforms to carry out extensive international cooperation, he said.
During the side event, China introduced the initiative of the global network for SMR innovation. Huang Wei, special representative of the IAEA director general of the event, said the IAEA welcomes the initiative and stands ready to support China and all member states interested in this mechanism to advance technological innovation, standard coordination, capacity building and practical applications in the SMR sector. ■
Shan Zhongde (C), director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, speaks at a side event under the theme "Cooperating in small modular reactor innovation for a shared future" during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 14, 2026. China has called for strengthening international cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs) and promoting technological innovation.
During the ongoing 70th General Conference of the IAEA, China on Monday hosted a side event under the theme "Cooperating in SMR innovation for a shared future," with participants making in-depth exchanges on standards coordination, capacity building and application of SMRs. (Xinhua/He Canling)
Huang Wei (R) speaks at a side event under the theme "Cooperating in small modular reactor innovation for a shared future" as special representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general of the event during the 70th General Conference of the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 14, 2026. China has called for strengthening international cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs) and promoting technological innovation.
During the ongoing 70th General Conference of the IAEA, China on Monday hosted a side event under the theme "Cooperating in SMR innovation for a shared future," with participants making in-depth exchanges on standards coordination, capacity building and application of SMRs. (Xinhua/He Canling)
