The UK-China Nuclear Joint Research and Innovation Centre was launched in London on Thursday. The center is the first nuclear research facility built together by China and a Western country. 

The centre is led by the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory and the China National Nuclear Corporation. With funding of 50 million pounds over 5 years, the center will play an essential role in providing cutting-edge nuclear research.

"The establishment of the research centre is very significant. It is the first nuclear energy research platform supported by a western country that was willing to cooperate with us. We will cooperate in advanced fuels, reactor decommissioning, radioactive waste treatment and nuclear regulations." said Xie Jiajie,voce president of China National Nuclear Power.

The Hinckley C nuclear power plant is the first new nuclear project in Britain in more than 20 years. The project represents a restart of the British nuclear power industry. It also is being regarded as the flagship project of a “Golden Era” between China and the UK. The new joint research centre signals that nuclear cooperation between the two counties is beyond investment.

"I think it is extremely good that the two countries work together. The Chinese have a very advanced and developed nuclear program. And like ourselves, we are looking to build nuclear facilities to support the fuel circle. I believe the two countries working together can share experience, can understand the technical challenges that we both face and come up with solutions. And we also can collaborate, so researchers can work together. I believe this centre can establish a long-term partnership between the researchers of the United Kingdom and China." said Paul Howarth, manager DIR of UK National Nuclear Laboratory.

The National Nuclear Laboratory holds 50 percent of the stakes, the same as its Chinese partner.  Both Britain and China deem nuclear as new energy sources and they hope their hand-in-hand efforts will help each other develop the industry.