On 31 August 2024, Liu Jing, Vice Chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), and his team visited the Beishan underground research laboratory. During the visit, Liu Jing highlighted several key areas of focus.

Stressing the need to maximize developer’s proactivity, Liu Jing called for enhanced process control and coordination, as well as scientific and rational allocation of resources such as manpower and funds. He emphasized investor awareness and empowerment to ensure the timely completion of a world-class underground laboratory, while prioritizing safety and quality.

Liu Jing advocated a global perspective and a forward-looking attitude in line with national strategic needs. He stressed the importance of formulating medium- and long-term development plan for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), strengthening academic disciplines, and conducting scientific research and theoretical exploration. He noted that while the primary goal should be the safe disposal of HLW, there should also be an expansion of ideas to harness the empowering value of the underground laboratory platform to support scientific and technological research in other fields.

Finally, Liu Jing stressed the importance of using the platforms of the IAEA Collaborating Centre and the CAEA Innovation Centre for HLW geological disposal. He called for unifying domestic and international efforts to carry out extensive cooperation and exchanges, and to continuously enhance the domestic and international influence of the Beishan underground laboratory.

(Source: China Geological Science and Technology)