Irrawaddy-Sept 19
The Myanmar junta’s nuclear ambitions are once again in the spotlight after it begged China to help train its experts in the use of nuclear technology at a China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nuclear forum last week. The request makes China the second country to be approached by the junta regarding the technology. Currently, the regime is collaborating with Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom after opening the country’s first nuclear information center in Yangon early this year. During the Second China-ASEAN Forum on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology in Guangxi in southern China on Saturday, the Myanmar junta’s Ambassador to China and North Korea Tin Maung Swe asked China to share its expertise in using nuclear technology in the agriculture, health and energy sectors, as China already has advanced technology in these areas, according to the junta’s Information Ministry. Liu Jing, vice chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority, told the forum that China has cooperated with Indonesia to establish a joint laboratory for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors; with Thailand to design and build micro research reactors and experimental tokamak nuclear fusion devices; and with Malaysia to build commercial reactors. Liu added that under regional cooperation programs, China provides training and seminars, scientific visits and exchanges for ASEAN countries, suggesting Myanmar could expect to receive such assistance on nuclear technology from China. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/specials/myanmar-china-watch/myanmar-junta-seeks-chinese-help-acquiring-nuclear-technology.html
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