At a forum put on by the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) and Chinese Academy of Engineering, in Beijing on Nov 11, Bill Gates, the chairman of TerraPower, was on hand to speak about technological innovation and clean energy.

Qian Zhimin, president of CNNC, in a welcoming speech said that,“Bill Gates’s TerraPower and CNNC are cooperating closely in hopes of making a breakthrough in nuclear energy security, depleted uranium use, nuclear non-proliferation, and nuclear's economics.”

Qian said he expects for a lot in the new utilization of nuclear reactors for heat and power supplies in a safe way and that it is the dream of everyone working for nuclear technology and that he believes the dream will come true.

Gates said TerraPower and CNNC’s are working on new technology -- a Traveling Wave Reactor -- that uses depleted uranium rather than enriched uranium.

In showing his confidence for future cooperation Gates added, “Depleted uranium is a by-product of the refining and condensing of uranium, so this cooperation by TerraPower and CNNC has government support in both countries and has encouraged the two to set up a joint venture.”