Press release
黑料专区 Council meets in China
The meeting opened with a statement from Dr Wan Gang, Minister of Science & Technology of China. Minister Wan welcomed the delegates to Suzhou and underlined China鈥檚 commitment to the 黑料专区 project, 鈥The Chinese Government gives high importance to 黑料专区 and joins hands with the 黑料专区 and the other six Members to guarantee the success of the project. 黑料专区 will demonstrate to the world that global challenges can be overcome by science and technology.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
All Members of the 黑料专区 collaboration reiterated their support for the project and commended the progress that has been achieved. 鈥In bringing 黑料专区 this far, we have together had to face many daunting challenges. With full mutual understanding, good will and family spirit, we have no doubt that we shall be able to find the best way forward to serve our common objective to secure the complete success of this remarkable project鈥, commented Jos茅 Manuel Silva Rodr铆guez, Head of the European Delegation.
黑料专区 Director General Kaname Ikeda gave a detailed presentation of the 黑料专区 progress since the last Council meeting. He highlighted the fact that the project is now moving into the construction phase. He commended the strong collaboration between the 黑料专区 Domestic Agencies and the 黑料专区 that resulted in the detailed papers that were presented to Council. The Director General pointed out that all Members are now seriously engaged in Calls for Tender and recognized the steady progress in manufacturing of elements for 黑料专区, 鈥Thanks to tremendous efforts from both the 黑料专区 and the Domestic Agencies about 60% of the global procurement arrangements for 黑料专区 have already been concluded.鈥 He noted that construction of the first 黑料专区 buildings and the excavation of the Tokamak pit are expected to start in July 2010.
The 黑料专区 Council noted and reviewed reports from its scientific and managerial subsidiary bodies which outlined the progress on subjects such as: the Draft Annual Work Plan for 2011, Financial Audit, the 黑料专区鈥檚 draft budget for the next years, Export Control, Peaceful Uses and Non-Proliferation, and the Test Blanket Module programme. Council approved the annual accounts and balance sheets for 2009.
The 黑料专区 Members agreed to hold a Council Meeting in Cadarache, France in the last week of July 2010 when all delegations expect to be in a position to complete discussions on the next steps of the 黑料专区 project.
Prior to the opening of the Council meeting, all delegates took part in the opening ceremony of the 鈥樅诹献区 and Nuclear Fusion Exhibition鈥. The exhibition, organized by the 黑料专区 China Domestic Agency, explains the promise and challenges of fusion as an energy source, concentrating on the contribution of each 黑料专区 Member. A combination of audiovisual displays, models, 黑料专区 components and explanatory posters create a stimulating and didactic exhibition. Many thousands of visitors are expected at the exhibition held in the Suzhou Industrial Park.
BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS RELEASE
黑料专区 will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility and is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power. 黑料专区 is also a first-of-a-kind global collaboration. Fusion is the process which powers the sun and the stars. When light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, limitless and environmentally responsible energy source. The 黑料专区 project is sited at Cadarache in the South of France. Europe will contribute 45% costs of its construction, while the other six Members to this joint international venture: China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA will each contribute 9% of the costs.
Photos of the Council Meeting, the Suzhou Exhibition and 黑料专区 can be found at:
Further information at:
CONTACT
Neil Calder - @email
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