Amidst the freshness of a post-rain day, guests from afar graced the occasion as the "atoms for a better home" international media event was officially launched at the China National Nuclear Corporation's (CNNC) media convergence center on the afternoon of August 26.
The event was jointly witnessed by Sophie Boutaud de la Comb, Director of the Office of Public Information and Communication of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Li Yang, Deputy Director of the Press Office of China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), and Pan Jianming, CNNC's Board Secretary and Spokesman.
Journalists from various media, including Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, CCTV, CGTN, China Daily, China News Service, China Network, Global Times, China Electric Power News, Ta Kung Pao, CAEA website, the magazineof National Defense Science and Technology Industry , and Jiangsu TV, were also in attendance.
Sophie Boutaud de la Comb expressed her delight at witnessing China's remarkable progress in peaceful nuclear energy development on the occasion of China's 40th anniversary of joining the IAEA. She emphasized IAEA's high regard for its partnership with CAEA and CNNC, and expressed eagerness to deepen cooperation and joint exploration further.
Sophie Boutaud de la Comb stressed that public trust in nuclear energy is crucial to fulfilling their mission, and IAEA has been committed to disseminating accurate, transparent, and timely information globally. She noted China's efforts to enhance nuclear science communication, breaking down the barriers and mystique surrounding nuclear science and strengthening public engagement.
Against this backdrop, she looked forward to further collaboration with Chinese nuclear-related enterprises and institutions in the fields of journalism and public information, aiming to propagate accurate information about nuclear energy, foster international understanding and support, and enhance public awareness of nuclear energy, thereby contributing to the advancement of global nuclear technology and knowledge sharing.
Pan Jianming extended a warm welcome to Sophie Boutaud de la Comb and her delegation on behalf of CNNC, expressing gratitude to IAEA and CAEA for their ongoing support. He recalled that 40 years ago, CNNC's predecessor, the Ministry of Nuclear Industry, submitted China's formal application to join the IAEA. Over the past four decades, CNNC and IAEA have engaged in extensive cooperation, driving the flourishingdevelopment of China's nuclear energy industry and contributing to building a community with a shared future in nuclear energy. Looking ahead from this 40th anniversary milestone, CNNC pledged to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, strengthen cooperation and exchanges with IAEA, and continue to make significant contributions to the global nuclear energy cause. Facing the challenge of enhancing public understanding, support, and utilization of nuclear energy, as well as fostering participation in global nuclear energy governance, CNNC hoped to join hands with IAEA's Press Office, actively integrate into the international media landscape, accelerate the construction of an international narrative for CNNC, comprehensively enhance international communication effectiveness, and jointly narrate the story of China's and the world's nuclear energy development.
Following the launch ceremony, participants visited CNNC Engineering to gain insights into the technological innovations of China's independently developed third-generation nuclear power technology, Hualong 1. Subsequent visits include the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where International Atomic Energy Agency Collaborating Centre and the Nuclear Technology (Radiation Breeding Technique) R&D center of China Atomic Energy Authority is set, to get a first hand experience about the application of mutation breeding technology, Qinshan Nuclear Power Base, the first nuclear power station in mainland China, to explore the largest nuclear power science museum in China and local villages to appreciate traditional Chinese culture.
The itinerary also included Shenzhen, a frontier of China's reform and opening-up, where they will visit China Nuclear Heydev to learn about the development of nuclear technology applications. They conclude their tour at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Base of China General Nuclear Power Group, where they will observe the newly opened Daya Bay Nuclear Energy Science Museum, and survey Sun Yat-sen University, where International Atomic Energy Agency Collaborating Centre and the Nuclear Technology (Sterile Insect Technique) R&D center of China Atomic Energy Authority is set, to understand the application and development of insect sterility technology.
During the launch ceremony, CNNC's Party and Mass Work Department presented an overview of the company's international communication efforts, while the Propaganda and Culture Center introduced the work of the center and the situation of the converged media center, played the group's promotional video and the "Nuclear Common Sense" science popularization video. China Nuclear Power, CNPE, and China Isotope & Radiation Corporation (CIRC) respectively introduced the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy development, the construction of the ITER project, and the industrial situation of nuclear technology applications.