China accomplishes historic feat by utilizing declassified US documents: 'We have perfected all techniques from available sources and gone beyond'

Researchers in China have reached a significant milestone in clean energy innovation. Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have successfully constructed the worlds first operational thorium molten salt reactor (MSR), marking a major step forward in nuclear technology.

The milestone was achieved when the team loaded fresh fuel into the reactor. Until now, nuclear power largely relied on uranium, which produces highly radioactive, long-lasting waste and can be used in weapons production. Nuclear accidents with uranium-based reactors also carry severe risks.

Thorium offers a safer alternative, generating less radioactive waste that decays more quickly and is difficult to weaponize. MSRs further improve safety because molten salt serves as an efficient coolant. Additionally, thorium is abundant, making it a promising long-term energy resource.

The reactor, located in the Gobi Desert, has a capacity of two megawatts. Construction began in 2018, but research into thorium MSRs has been ongoing for decades. In the 1960s, American scientists developed and tested MSRs but eventually shifted focus to uranium technologies. Chinese researchers built upon this earlier work, replicating past experiments and advancing the technology further.

Xu Hongjie, chief scientist of the project, stated, We mastered every technique in the literature then pushed further.

Thorium-based fission technology offers a more cost-effective way to produce energy compared to coal or natural gas, while avoiding harmful greenhouse gas emissions. China is already planning a larger 10-megawatt thorium reactor, expected to be operational by 2030.

The country is also exploring thorium-powered container ships, which could significantly reduce carbon emissions from maritime transport. Currently, Chinese container ships contribute nearly 80 million tons of carbon pollution annually.

These efforts are part of Chinas broader strategy to expand its clean energy portfolio. The nation leads globally in renewable energy development, having unveiled the worlds largest floating wind turbine and maintaining the two largest solar farms, with an even larger solar project under construction.

Author: Sophia Brooks