From AP:
Scientists on Thursday carried out China’s first successful test of an experimental fusion reactor, powered by the process that fuels the sun, a research institute spokeswoman said.
China, the United States and other governments are pursuing fusion research in hopes that it could become a clean, potentially limitless energy source. Fusion produces little radioactive waste, unlike fission, which powers conventional nuclear reactors.
Beijing is eager for advances, both for national prestige and to reduce its soaring consumption of imported oil and dirty coal. [Full Text]
See the description under the photo from AP/Xinhua “In this photo released by China’s official Xinhua news agency, a scientist debugs the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in the Institute of Plasma Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei, east China, on Thursday September 28, 2006. Scientists on Thursday carried out China’s first successful test of an experimental fusion reactor, powered by the process that fuels the sun, a research institute spokeswoman said…”
