A shipping ceremony for Thailand's SUT-RR systems and equipment was held in China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), on November 12, marking the start of the construction of the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) project.

It was an important step taken by the CNNC to proactively implement the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promote the safety and orderly development of nuclear energy, and facilitate the rapid development of nuclear energy-related application industry in China and ASEAN member states with its wisdom and solutions.

Those in attendance of the shipping ceremony included Ampika Apichaitbukol, deputy secretary-general of Thailand's Office of Atoms for Peace, Neung Teaumroong, vice-president of Suranaree University of Technology, and representatives of China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation (CNEI) and the CIAE.

The MNSR is a small-scale research reactor independently designed by the CIAE. With a rated power of just 30 kW, it is widely known for such features as radiation safety, environmental friendliness, efficient operation, simple structure, low construction and maintenance cost, and inherent safety.

It is an ideal option for the building of nuclear research facilities in densely populated areas such as universities, hospitals and research institutions.

So far, the CIAE has taken part in the design and building of 10 MNSR projects at home and abroad, five of which are located in other countries.

The sixth CIAE-designed MNSR project will be built at Suranaree University of Technology and implemented by the CIAE under the guidance of the CNEI. It has been added to the list of demonstration projects for China-ASEAN peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Representatives of the CIAE said that as an example for China-Thailand cooperation in nuclear energy sector, the new MNSR project will fundamentally promote the application and development of relevant technologies and deepen bilateral collaboration on technological innovation, industrial development and personnel training. They hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth and pragmatic cooperation on the R&D of BNCT technology and accelerators as well as isotope production, and advance basic research and technological application in concerned fields.

Thai representatives said that Chinese personnel have shown extraordinary technological prowess and quality-management competence since they unveiled the MNSR projects in 2015, adding that they look forward to the early arrival of relevant systems and apparatuses and to the closer cooperation with the CNNC in other fields.

After the shipping ceremony, representatives of the two sides held exchanges over nuclear reactors for research purpose and accelerators. Thai attendees paid a visit to China's advanced nuclear reactors for research purpose, swimming-pool reactors and the MNSRs.