Lebanese university signs deal with Chinese institute on nuclear energy research

Chinese ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian speaks at the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese university and a Chinese institute signed here on Wednesday a cooperation agreement regarding the scientific research on the peaceful development and use of nuclear energy.

The agreement was signed by the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), one of the most important laboratories in China on plasma physics.

The signature ceremony, which took place at AUB, was attended by AUB Provost Zaher Dawy, the Chinese ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian, the Director General of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission Bilal Nsouli, and a number of officials and scholars from the two countries.

"This cooperation marks a breakthrough in the cooperation between China and Arab states in the field of peaceful development and use of nuclear energy," the Chinese ambassador said.

China firmly supports the inalienable right of all countries, particularly developing countries, to use nuclear energy peacefully, he added.

"With the steady development of the global nuclear energy industry, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear technology is of great significance to ensuring energy security, coping with climate change, and promoting economic and social development," he said.

Lu Kun, ASIPP's vice director who could not attend the signing ceremony, said via video that the collaboration agreement would be an essential step for ASIPP's future strategy.

"Through this agreement, AUB and ASIPP will carry out more detailed collaborating activities, from fusion and plasma research to students training and scientists' exchange," he said.

For his part, Nsouli said this initiative opens new doors for future regional leaders to receive a high-quality education in science and technology.