China nuclear technology is advancing rapidly, reshaping multiple industries and driving integrated innovation across the economy. Consequently, the sector has become crucial as China seeks to build a modern industrial chain and strengthen national security safeguards. The Second Nuclear Technology Application Industrial Chain Co-Chain Action Conference will take place on November 27 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and officials will release the Nuclear Technology Applications Industrial Chain Consolidation Action Plan 1.0 during the event.
The plan represents China’s first systematic industrial chain upgrading initiative. Industry associations jointly launched it with multiple stakeholders participating. Its primary goals include reinforcing nuclear application security and achieving isotope self-sufficiency during the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030.
Nuclear technology applications cover civilian fields beyond energy, including medicine, agriculture, and industrial uses. Guo Lili, secretary-general of the China Isotope and Radiation Association, emphasized that the sector now operates at high technological intensity, efficiency, and quality, representing new productive forces in China’s economy.
Among the sub-sectors, nuclear medicine has expanded significantly. It now plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating tumors, cardiovascular conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, and other complex diseases. China has progressed from following international standards to achieving leadership in core technologies in certain fields.
Beyond medicine, nuclear technologies improve industrial materials and everyday life. Radiation processing enhances cable insulation, heating pipes, and automobile tires, significantly extending their durability. In pest control, sterilized male mosquitoes reduce populations and limit disease risks, a method effectively applied in Guangdong Province.
The economic potential of China nuclear technology is substantial. Analysts predict the sector will maintain over 10 percent compound annual growth and reach approximately 600 billion yuan in total output by 2026. Radiopharmaceuticals alone could grow from 9.3 billion yuan in 2025 to 26 billion yuan by 2030.
China also leads in frontier technologies, including neutron irradiation for silicon production and high-energy ion implanters. These breakthroughs strengthen domestic semiconductor production and power chip supply chains, addressing critical bottlenecks.
The upcoming action plan targets three areas: reinforcing security safeguards, cultivating a “nuclear technology plus” ecosystem, and offering policy models. It coordinates research institutes and enterprises to upgrade infrastructure, achieve technological breakthroughs, and establish industry standards.
Experts predict this plan will address weak links, accelerate China nuclear technology development, and support broader industrial modernization during the 15th Five-Year Plan. Furthermore, the initiative highlights China’s ability to mobilize resources strategically to accomplish large-scale national projects.
