China’s nuclear technology application industry, a strategic emerging sector and a cornerstone of the country’s new quality productive forces, is gearing up for a major leap forward, according to the Global Times. The Second Nuclear Technology Application Industrial Chain Co-Chain Action Conference, scheduled for November 27 in Nanning, Guangxi, will unveil the first systematic industrial chain upgrading initiative—the Nuclear Technology Applications Industrial Chain Consolidation Action Plan 1.0—aimed at enhancing national security safeguards and ensuring isotope safety and self-sufficiency during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
Industry insiders say that nuclear technology applications, also known as isotope and radiation technology applications, extend far beyond power generation and underpin critical areas in medicine, agriculture, environmental management, industrial manufacturing, and public safety. Guo Lili, secretary-general of the China Isotope and Radiation Association, told the Global Times that nuclear medicine has achieved remarkable breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating complex diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, positioning China as a leader in select areas.
Beyond medicine, nuclear technology is quietly enhancing everyday life and industrial productivity. Radiation processing strengthens materials used in high-speed railway and metro construction, under-floor heating systems, and automobile tires, significantly extending their lifespan. In agriculture, sterile insect techniques using irradiated male mosquitoes have effectively controlled mosquito populations, reducing disease transmission, as demonstrated in Guangdong’s recent chikungunya outbreak. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear technologies directly contribute to nine of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating their broad societal impact.
The sector also shows robust economic potential. Despite steady growth over the past decade, nuclear applications remain underrepresented in China’s economy compared with advanced nations. Industry projections suggest a compound annual growth rate exceeding 10 percent, with total output expected to reach around 600 billion yuan ($84.4 billion) by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Nuclear medicine continues to lead expansion, with the radiopharmaceutical market projected to grow from 9.3 billion yuan in 2025 to 26 billion yuan by 2030. Other applications, spanning industrial upgrades, environmental protection, and high-end materials, are poised for significant growth.
China is also making strides in frontier nuclear technologies. The country has mastered neutron irradiation for 8-inch single-crystal silicon, developed a full range of hydrogen ion implanters, and established domestic facilities for power semiconductor chips, achieving 100 percent indigenous technology and overcoming critical bottlenecks in the national power chip supply chain, according to Guo.
The forthcoming action plan aims to address structural weaknesses in the industry and accelerate quality upgrades. Key objectives include reinforcing security safeguards, cultivating a “nuclear technology plus” ecosystem, and providing policy models for coordinated development. By leveraging research institutes and enterprise collaboration, the plan targets infrastructure upgrades, technological breakthroughs, and standard-setting, reflecting China’s strategic approach to concentrate resources on priority industries.
“The highly collaborative model exemplifies how China’s institutional strength enables industries to tackle major challenges collectively,” Guo told the Global Times. “Through this action plan, the nuclear technology application industry will achieve leapfrog development, strengthen national security, and provide valuable insights for the broader modernization of China’s industrial systems.”
The November conference and the release of the Consolidation Action Plan mark a pivotal moment for the sector, signaling a shift from scale expansion to high-quality, innovation-driven growth. With its broad applications, economic promise, and strategic significance, China’s nuclear technology industry is emerging as a key driver of technological leadership and industrial modernization in the coming decade.
