Highlights

• China has activated the world's first operational thorium-fueled molten-salt nuclear reactor in Gansu Province.
• The reactor successfully converts thorium into uranium fuel, potentially unlocking hundreds of years of domestic energy supply.
• The 2 MW reactor uses molten fluoride salt as coolant and operates without external water.
• The reactor can be built in arid desert locations, eliminating the water dependency of conventional nuclear plants.
• This breakthrough gives China a major lead in advanced nuclear technology over the U.S. and other nations.
• Plans are in place for a 100 MW commercial reactor by 2035 to boost energy independence.

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China has launched the world’s first operational thorium-fueled molten-salt nuclear reactor – a 2 MW experimental unit in the Gobi Desert of Gansu Province. Developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the reactor recently achieved a successful conversion of thorium into usable uranium fuel inside its core. This milestone makes it the only molten-salt reactor on Earth currently running with thorium fuel, a world-first achievement in nuclear energy. Chinese scientists herald the breakthrough as proof that thorium can be harnessed for power, potentially unlocking an “almost endless” domestic energy supply.

Covered by China Northern Rare Earth (opens in a new tab) as well as South China Morning Post, thorium’s appeal lies in its abundance and strategic value for China. Unlike traditional reactors that rely on imported uranium, this fourth-generation design uses thorium – an element China has in vast supply as a byproduct of its rare-earth mining industry.

In simple terms, the reactor “breeds” uranium-233 from thorium-232 by bombarding it with neutrons, essentially turning thorium into nuclear fuel. Exploiting what was once mining waste means China could reduce dependence on foreign uranium and tap an almost inexhaustible fuel source. Officials say China’s thorium reserves could power the country for hundreds of years, bolstering long-term energy security. The achievement also adds value to China’s rare-earth supply chain, turning a former disposal problem into an energy asset.

Beyond fuel supply, the reactor’s design offers major safety and siting advantages. Molten-salt reactors use a liquid fluoride salt as both fuel solvent and coolant, enabling operations at atmospheric pressure with high thermal stability, according to Chinese media (opens in a new tab). The Chinese reactor’s molten salt circulates at around 600–700 °C, carrying heat away without any need for outside water cooling. This inherent safety setup eliminates the huge water requirements of conventional nuclear plants and the risk of overheating if water is lost.

In fact, China’s thorium reactor is built in an arid desert – a location impossible for typical reactors that must sit near large water sources. It's “not thirsty” cooling system means nuclear power can now expand inland; the Gansu project demonstrates that reactors no longer need to “live by the sea.” If scaled up, such plants could deliver clean, stable energy deep into China’s interior, complementing intermittent wind and solar farms.

Global implications

China’s leap puts it at the forefront of advanced nuclear technology. As cited (opens in a new tab) in IEEE Spectrum, until now, no other country has managed to run a working thorium reactor, despite interest in places like India (which has large thorium reserves) and past U.S. experiments in the 1960s.

The last time a molten-salt reactor operated anywhere was the U.S. Oak Ridge experiment that shut down in 1969. By overcoming technical hurdles – from material corrosion to fuel cycle integration – China has gained a head start in what could be a game-changing energy arena.

Experts note that the project provides crucial real-world data and a “major leap forward” in proving the feasibility of thorium power. Beijing is already planning a larger 100 MW demonstration reactor by 2035, according to World Nuclear News (opens in a new tab), aiming to translate this laboratory success into a commercial-scale reality. If these plans materialize, China could dramatically improve its energy independence and even position itself as an exporter of next-generation nuclear reactors.

For the West and the U.S., China’s thorium breakthrough is a wake-up call – highlighting both a potential clean-energy innovation and the strategic strides China is making in securing critical resources and technologies.

Disclaimer: Some of this news item originates from Chinese state-owned media reports and official announcements. The information should be independently verified.

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