(Characters of the two sessions) How to avoid "talking about nuclear discoloration"?

Dong Baotong, deputy to the National People's Congress: Sensitive attention should not be too panic

　　China News Agency, Beijing, March 8th: How to avoid "talking about nuclear discoloration"?

Dong Baotong, deputy to the National People's Congress: Sensitive attention should not be too panic

　　Author Ma Shuisha Huang Yuqin

　　From routine physical examination and cancer treatment to nuclear power supply and nuclear energy breeding, the role of nuclear science and technology in various fields of society has become increasingly prominent.

What are the current frontiers of nuclear technology?

Is it still necessary to "talk about nuclear discoloration"?

How to promote the development of civilian nuclear technology?

　　Dong Baotong, deputy director of the National People's Congress and deputy director of the National Atomic Energy Agency, said in an interview with a reporter from China News Agency that "talking about nuclear discoloration" is not an absolute bad thing. We need to be sensitive to nuclear technology, but we should not panic too much. environment and long-term stable cooperative relations are necessary conditions.

　　Focus on the forefront of nuclear technology

　　The new generation of nuclear reactor technology is the frontier field of nuclear technology that Dong Baotong has been paying attention to.

He pointed out that in this regard, China and the developed Western countries are on the whole neck and neck, and even take the lead in some fields. "This will be the main battlefield of future competition."

　　Regarding the field of nuclear fusion, Dong Baotong, who graduated from Peking University with a degree in nuclear physics, recalled that when he was in college, the scientific community had already pointed out that nuclear fusion was the main direction for solving future energy problems. The direction is right.

　　"As a long-term strategic choice to solve human energy problems, nuclear fusion is definitely a general direction and will drive the development of a series of scientific disciplines. It is still in the exploratory period, and it is giving birth to major breakthroughs in the future." Dong Baotong said.

　　At the same time, he also mentioned space nuclear power.

He pointed out that solar energy can also play a role in going to the moon and Mars, but if human spacecraft or probes need to fly to farther and deeper space in the future and cannot obtain solar energy, nuclear energy will almost become the only option.

　　"Talking about nuclear discoloration": sensitive concerns but not excessive panic

　　At present, the application of nuclear technology has widely existed in all aspects of people's daily life.

Taking the medical field as an example, in addition to the well-known CT and PET examinations, nuclear technology also acts on the detection of Helicobacter pylori, the disinfection and sterilization of protective clothing, and cancer treatment.

Dong Baotong told reporters that the International Atomic Energy Agency regards the application of nuclear technology as a wider field than the application of nuclear energy, "which can penetrate into almost every field."

　　Despite this, there are still many people who are unfamiliar with nuclear technology, and even "talk about nuclear discoloration".

In Dong Baotong's view, the main reason for "talking about nuclear discoloration" is that the public does not know enough about nuclear technology.

He pointed out that nuclear technology does have two sides. If it is used well, it can benefit human society. If it is not handled properly, it will easily cause nuclear radiation or nuclear pollution.

Therefore, on the one hand, the dissemination of scientific knowledge is required, and on the other hand, the nuclear industry must also walk on thin ice to ensure safety.

　　"'Talking about nuclear discoloration' means that everyone at least knows that nuclear cannot be touched casually. It is not an absolute bad thing in itself. Everyone is sensitive to it, but if you panic too much, it is also against science." Dong Baotong said.

　　Civilian nuclear technology most in need of peace and cooperation

　　Due to the particularity of nuclear technology, the promotion and application of civil nuclear technology has put forward higher requirements for the external environment and industry norms.

"As far as civil nuclear technology is concerned, international cooperation is particularly needed in this field." Dong Baotong said that a nuclear power plant can last up to 60 years from its completion to the end of its lifespan, and even the state has approved its use for 80 years. If a nuclear power project has a life span of 100 years The order of magnitude, coupled with the preliminary work and construction period, must have a long-term cooperative relationship.

　　"The outside world will also worry about what to do if nuclear facilities are attacked by war or terrorists." Dong Baotong said, "So the development of nuclear energy requires a peaceful environment and long-term stable cooperative relations, which is a necessary condition."

　　In terms of industry norms, Dong Baotong has been studying legislation in the nuclear field since the 1980s.

He pointed out that there are still some gaps in the field of nuclear legislation that need legal regulation, such as how to deal with radioactive waste, especially nuclear waste that needs to be stored for many years.

At present, many countries have enacted separate legislation on radioactive waste. Dong Baotong also hopes that China can establish a complete legal system to further promote the law-based governance of the nuclear field.

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