Nuclear technology, also known as isotope and radiation technology, has high-tech, high-efficiency, and high-quality characteristics in its related industries. Developing the nuclear technology application industry is an inevitable trend to adapt to the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, expand the field of nuclear technology applications, and promote the high-quality development of the nuclear industry. It is an important empowering means to support the transformation and upgrading of various fields of the national economy, and to improve quality and efficiency. This action plan is formulated to actively promote the faster, better, and wider deep integration of nuclear technology in the national economy, and to promote the high-quality development of the nuclear technology application industry.
1、 Overall requirements
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept, adhere to the market-oriented approach, strengthen government guidance, and fully leverage the advantages of the new national system and the super large scale market; Adhere to innovation driven and open development, effectively utilize the complete supply capacity and industrial innovation power of the nuclear industry; Adhere to goal orientation and demand driven approach, promote efficient allocation and organic aggregation of resources such as technology, capital, and talent, and make every effort to promote the high-quality development of the nuclear technology application industry, so that nuclear technology can better and more benefit people's livelihoods.
By 2026, the independent innovation capability of China's nuclear technology application industry will significantly improve, and the industry will further expand. Focusing on the application of nuclear technology in key directions or fields such as medical diagnosis and treatment, agricultural breeding, food processing, material modification, security inspection, etc., we will break through a number of key technologies, build a number of innovative platforms, cultivate a number of specialized and innovative enterprises, and strive to achieve an annual direct economic output value of 400 billion yuan for the nuclear technology application industry, injecting strong momentum into the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries.
——The supply capacity of key isotopes has significantly improved. Carry out the construction of new reactors and the optimization and transformation of in-service reactors, form key isotope production capacity, have the ability to independently supply three or more radioactive isotopes, break through five or more radioactive isotope production technologies, and basically reverse the situation where the supply of key isotope products is controlled by others.
——A batch of nuclear technology application products have been industrialized. Apply for clinical trials of more than 10 Class I radioactive new drugs, and obtain clinical trial approval or enter clinical application if they meet the requirements; Breakthroughs have been made in the research and development of high-end medical equipment such as domestically produced high-energy proton cyclotrons, new generation SPECT/CT imaging equipment, and BNCT treatment systems; The localization of security inspection equipment has formed a standardized research and development pattern covering large, medium, small, special and micro areas; Large scale cultivation of two or more new sources of irradiated traditional Chinese medicinal materials; Innovative solutions such as irradiation sterilization, irradiation decontamination, and irradiation processing have been widely promoted and applied in typical scenarios.
——The collaborative innovation system of industry, academia and research has been basically formed. The nuclear technology application research and development platform system will be further optimized, with the addition of more than 5 nuclear technology research and development centers or collaborative innovation demonstration platforms with key cutting-edge technology research and promotion capabilities around major needs and key areas. A talent training system and collaborative innovation model that integrates science and education and industry education will be basically formed.
——The role of industrial clusters and leading enterprises is highlighted. A batch of characteristic industrial clusters for nuclear technology applications have basically formed, promoting resource docking, factor integration, and policy assistance; Strive to build 2-3 national specialized, refined, unique and new "little giant" enterprises, and continuously play the leading role of leading enterprises.
2、 Key tasks
(1) Consolidate the industrial foundation and implement actions to improve the quality and efficiency of infrastructure.
1. Promote the construction of new reactors and the optimization and renovation of existing reactors. Accelerate the construction of medical isotope production reactors such as the Leshan Solution Reactor in Sichuan and the Tianhong Reactor in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, and actively support the construction of new research and experimental reactors such as the Wide Energy Spectrum Ultra High Throughput Experimental Reactor. Based on actual needs, accelerate the optimization and transformation of existing research reactors, enhance supporting production capacity, and effectively leverage their dual functions of scientific research and production. Encourage the use of nuclear power reactors such as the Qinshan Heavy Water Reactor for isotope production.
2. Enhance the innovation efficiency of major national scientific and technological infrastructure. Fully leverage the supporting role of national major scientific and technological infrastructure such as synchrotron radiation sources, neutron scattering sources, high current heavy ion accelerator devices, and free electron laser devices, improve operational management, collaborative innovation, and open sharing mechanisms, facilitate access to scientific research institutions, share basic research data, and transform technological innovation achievements, enhance the efficiency of the use of national major scientific and technological infrastructure, and promote the intensive release of comprehensive innovation benefits.
(2) Strengthen cutting-edge innovation and implement key technology breakthroughs.
3. Strengthen basic applied research. Make full use of the advantages of domestic nuclear technology research resources, and increase basic research efforts in areas such as radiation biological effects and nuclear basic data measurement. Targeting the fields of new drug development, new radiation therapy technology, and high-end equipment research, we will lay out a number of original and forward-looking key scientific and technological projects. Explore the cross application of nuclear technology in future industries such as quantum computing, new energy storage, and brain computer interfaces. Promote the deep integration of nuclear technology with new generation information technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing, and create a new situation for the application of nuclear technology.
4. Strengthen the research and development of nuclear electronics and detection technology. Continuously strengthen the research on key detectors and core components, with a focus on breaking through the engineering production technology of large volume scintillation detectors, wide bandgap semiconductor detectors, high-purity germanium detectors, and tellurium zinc cadmium detectors, achieving independent research and development of core components such as silicon photomultiplier tubes and dedicated integrated circuit chips, as well as the development and engineering application of nuclear signal automation acquisition systems. The radiation resistance, reliability, and environmental adaptability meet the requirements of engineering applications.
5. Improve the level of independent development of accelerators. Enhance the research and development capabilities of key basic materials and components for new accelerators, increase investment in independent research and development of complete equipment, and improve the localization level of accelerator design and manufacturing. Strengthen the construction of comprehensive research and development platforms and experimental verification platforms, and promote the development of accelerator based spectrum, serialization, and self-reliance in multiple fields.
(3) Coordinate isotope supply and implement actions to enhance supply guarantee capabilities.
6. Accelerate the realization of autonomous supply of radioactive isotopes. Continuously promote research on radioactive isotope production technologies such as reactor production, accelerator preparation, and high-level radioactive waste extraction. Promote the large-scale production of molybdenum-99, iodine-125, iodine-131, unsupported lutetium 177, carbon-14, strontium-89, yttrium-90 and other isotopes to ensure stable supply of commonly used medical isotopes. Advance the research and development of promising medical isotope technologies such as scandium-47, terbium-161, rhenium-186/188, radium-223/226, germanium-68, copper-64, zirconium-89, palladium-103, actinium-225, iodine-123/124, and carry out the research and development of industrial isotope preparation technologies such as iridium-192, selenium-75, krypton-85, nickel-63, cesium-137, americium-241, californium-252, etc.
7. Accelerate the formation of stable isotope production capacity. Carry out research on the separation and purification technology of high abundance and high chemical purity stable isotopes, connect the stable isotope industry chain, enrich the quantity of stable isotope products, and enhance the production scale of stable isotopes. Coordinate the scientific research and production of commonly used or strategically needed stable isotopes such as iridium-191, ytterbium-176, gadolinium-160, xenon-124, molybdenum-100, germanium-72, silicon-28, carbon-13, boron-11, helium-3, etc.
8. Establish a sound mechanism for isotope supply and demand docking. Give full play to the role of the Isotope Management Office of the National Atomic Energy Agency, strengthen the docking of isotope supply and demand, unblock various links such as isotope research and development, production, storage, sales, transportation, and use, form a government guided and market-oriented isotope promotion and application system, build an integrated chain of production, sales, and supply, and accelerate the process of domestic isotope application.
(4) Accelerate the landing of industries and implement targeted application promotion actions in key areas.
9. Strengthen the promotion of industrial applications and assist in industrial transformation and upgrading. Actively promote the demonstration and application of electron beam radiation solidification technology, with a focus on increasing research and application promotion of high-precision ion implantation, large-size monocrystalline silicon irradiation, high-precision ion beam sputtering deposition, low damage high-precision ion beam processing, high-end ion membrane manufacturing and other technologies. Further promote the deepening application of isotopes and their products, radiation devices in non-destructive testing, oilfield logging, geological and mineral exploration, precision measurement and other fields, and provide support for industrial transformation and upgrading.
10. Strengthen the promotion of agricultural applications and empower the healthy development of agriculture. Establish a high-efficiency mutagenesis and targeted screening technology platform for high-energy heavy ions, cosmic particles, etc., to cultivate high-yield, high-quality, and green new varieties of crops and Chinese medicinal materials, and achieve large-scale planting. Promote the evaluation and treatment technology of nuclide tracing for agricultural non-point source pollutants, and enhance the level of prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution. Establish a basic database of nuclides in agricultural products to promote the green development of agricultural products in China. Improve the stable isotope database and enhance the maturity of agricultural product origin tracing and identification technology. Continuously deepen the promotion and application of nuclear technology in agricultural product irradiation processing, pest control, mutagenesis breeding, and other fields.
11. Strengthen the promotion of medical applications and assist in the construction of a healthy China. Accelerate the research and development of radiopharmaceuticals, strengthen investment in the research and development of new targets, mechanisms, and types of innovative drugs, and strive to achieve international integration in the development of highly targeted, safe, and effective radiopharmaceuticals. Develop a new generation of high-end nuclear medicine imaging equipment, as well as high-end treatment equipment such as proton therapy, heavy ion therapy, BNCT therapy, FLASH therapy, etc. Encourage the establishment of nuclear medicine innovation and development centers, the construction of nuclear medicine research and clinical transformation clusters, and the construction of characteristic nuclear medical institutions in areas with mature conditions. Actively expanding the application scale of irradiation technology in fields such as medical material sterilization and traditional Chinese medicine processing.
12. Strengthen the promotion of environmental protection applications and assist in the construction of a beautiful China. Continuously deepen the mechanism research and technological innovation of nuclear technology for treating complex environmental pollutants, with a focus on solving difficulties in the treatment of difficult to degrade industrial wastewater, new pollutants such as antibiotics, infectious medical wastewater and medical waste, as well as solid waste treatment such as exhaust gas purification and sludge. Intensify the research and development of specialized nuclear technology equipment and new radiation coupling technologies in the field of environmental protection, continuously improve equipment performance, and reduce processing costs.
13. Strengthen the promotion of public safety applications and enhance security capabilities. Focusing on the construction needs of smart customs, smart ports, smart civil aviation, as well as multi scenario needs such as container scanning and luggage detection, we will promote key technological breakthroughs in security inspection systems and develop a spectrum based security inspection equipment matrix that meets various scenario requirements. Promote the application of security inspection systems in important national infrastructure and large-scale public events, and provide security inspection products and solutions that integrate intelligent customs clearance, risk prevention and control, big data analysis, and centralized image review for customs, civil aviation, and other industries.
(5) Focus on new quality and new domains, and implement actions to cultivate emerging application scenarios.
14. Promote the application of nuclear technology empowerment. Build a cross-border communication platform for nuclear technology applications and develop a "nuclear technology+" ecosystem. Promote the deep empowerment of nuclear technology in modern industrial systems such as biotechnology, new materials, high-end manufacturing, and green environmental protection. Promote the research and application of nuclear technology in rapid analysis and intelligent sorting in the mining industry, archaeological exploration, analysis, restoration, power supply and heating in extreme environments such as outer space.
15. Promote typical scenarios and solutions for segmented industries. Fully utilize the original innovation capabilities of large research institutes in the nuclear field and the sustainable development momentum of enterprises, and explore typical application scenarios in segmented industries around common needs such as irradiation sterilization, material modification, and non-destructive testing. Encourage nuclear technology research and development units and demand enterprises to jointly develop a batch of standardized and modular solutions, forming demonstration applications.
(6) Strengthen the advantages of the system and implement the action of coordinated development of industrial clusters.
16. Focus on building exemplary enterprises. Support the development and growth of leading enterprises in nuclear technology applications, accelerate global layout and development, actively carry out overseas strategic mergers and acquisitions and independent technological innovation, and continuously enhance innovation vitality, industry leadership, and market competitiveness. Support nuclear technology application enterprises with outstanding innovation capabilities, mastery of core technologies, and high market share in segmented markets to actively apply for specialized, refined, and new "little giant" enterprises, forming an industry demonstration effect.
17. Extend online and promote industrial chain collaboration. Support leading enterprises, universities, research institutes, and other institutions in the field of nuclear technology applications to jointly establish industrial development alliances, encourage leading enterprises to open up scientific and technological innovation, resource allocation, industrial cooperation, and other services to the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, and gradually form an industrial development community that integrates complementary advantages, division of labor and cooperation, risk sharing, and benefit sharing. Support the integrated development of large, medium, and small enterprises, deepen the integration of key links in the industrial chain, supplement and strengthen the long chain, and form a strong force for collaborative innovation and development.
18. Promote the establishment of key industrial clusters on a general level. Support regions with a good foundation in nuclear technology application industry, such as the Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong Hong Kong Macao, Chengdu Chongqing, and the Bohai Rim, to take the lead in trial production, improve supporting policies, and build high-level nuclear technology application industry clusters. Support the construction of a number of comprehensive nuclear science and technology innovation and achievement incubation centers in areas with foundations and conditions, guide the aggregation and development of innovation resources, and form a good pattern of organic linkage between innovation leadership and industrial development.
(7) Accelerate the revision of standards and implement the action of building a standard system.
19. Optimize and improve the standard system. By focusing on the commonalities of nuclear technology applications, technological innovation, and industry applications, we aim to fill the gaps in the existing standard system. Based on industry development needs, we will promote the revision of standards for isotopes and products, radiation devices, and related instruments in industries such as agriculture, healthcare, environmental protection, and public safety. This will provide support for industry access, product certification, safety licensing, quality assessment, and operational management. Promote cross industry standardization and mutual recognition of domestic and international standards.
20. Focus on promoting the revision of standards related to nuclear medicine. Improve the quality standard system for the entire chain of research and development, production, inspection, storage, transportation, and use of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Conduct research on key components and system quality standards for high-end nuclear medical equipment such as proton/heavy ion therapy and BNCT therapy. Develop supporting standards for nuclear medicine discipline planning and design, construction, equipment configuration, personnel management, etc. Conduct research on standards for radiation safety and protection in nuclear medicine.
3、 Policy measures
(1) Strengthen financial and tax support. Make good use of existing research and development channels to support key areas and key technology breakthroughs in the industrial chain; Timely promote the establishment of the National Key Support Program for Nuclear Technology Applications. Actively promote the establishment of industry funds led by relevant national level government guidance funds, and guide various social capital to gather in the nuclear technology application industry. Support financial institutions to provide financial support to eligible nuclear technology application enterprises while adhering to the principles of marketization and commercialization, and explore innovative financial support methods such as investment loan linkage, intellectual property pledge, and intellectual property securitization.
(2) Improve the industry regulatory system. Scientifically defining the boundary between radioactive drugs and medical devices, optimizing the registration and approval procedures for radioactive drugs and nuclear medical equipment, and accelerating the promotion of clinical applications while ensuring safety. Revise regulations and policies related to the management of radioactive materials and radiation devices, and establish an integrated comprehensive management system for radiation safety, environmental protection, transportation of radioactive materials, and management of radioactive waste. Organize and carry out industry management innovation pilot projects, and establish a regulatory work pattern of departmental and provincial coordination and top-down linkage.
(3) Enhance industrial infrastructure services. Continuously promote the construction of public service platforms such as standard metrology, certification and accreditation, inspection and testing, and experimental verification. Promote the demonstration application of the first set of equipment and the first batch of materials, and improve incentive and risk compensation mechanisms. Fully leverage the role of industry associations, strengthen the support of industry basic data, promote secure sharing of industry data, and improve industry data usage standards. Carry out domestic product data comparison and performance evaluation to help promote and strengthen independent brands.
(4) Establish a sound mechanism for talent attraction and cultivation. Focusing on key fields such as medical isotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine, nuclear detection and electronics, radiation materials and applications, as well as scarce disciplines such as nuclear physics, radiation biology, radiation dosimetry, and radiochemistry, we support relevant universities to explore the establishment of relevant undergraduate majors based on actual conditions, build a number of internship and practice bases covering the entire industry chain with an annual reception time of no less than 160000 people, strengthen professional talent training, and encourage enterprises to accurately introduce high-level overseas talents. Support relevant enterprises, research institutions, and universities to carry out comprehensive and multi-level cooperation, and establish an open joint training model that integrates science and education, as well as industry and education. Strengthen support for the cultivation of nuclear technology talents in the national high-level talent plan.
(5) Intensify efforts to promote industries. Build a number of nuclear science knowledge popularization bases based on nuclear related research platforms, support relevant enterprises to hold open days, lectures, field visits and other activities, and increase science popularization. Support enterprises to rely on mature products in the fields of radiation diagnosis and treatment, radiation processing, security inspection and security, focus on the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" countries, formulate the "China Plan" according to local conditions, make good use of multilateral cooperation platforms such as the China ASEAN Expo, the China Africa Cooperation Forum, as well as Vienna's multilateral ambassador's visit to China and other activities, and continue to promote the nuclear technology application industry to go global.
4、 Organize and implement
The National Atomic Energy Agency is responsible for the top-level design and overall layout of the development of the nuclear technology application industry. In conjunction with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Health Commission, the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the National Medical Products Administration and other departments, this action plan is comprehensively promoted to coordinate and solve major problems in the development of the nuclear technology application industry, schedule the progress of key tasks, and promote effective policy coordination. Regularly communicate with market entities in the nuclear technology application industry and respond promptly to problems and demands encountered in industry development. Encourage local governments to strengthen resource matching, promote the landing of key industries, and accelerate the formation of industrial clusters. Give full play to the role of the National Atomic Energy Agency's Nuclear Center, create a platform for promoting the application of nuclear technology, organize industry associations, advantageous enterprises, research institutes and other units, and form a joint force to promote the optimization, expansion and strengthening of the nuclear technology application industry. Regularly hold conferences on the high-quality development of China's nuclear technology application industry, and build an internationally influential platform for industry university research cooperation, exchange, and exhibition promotion.