China Just Switched On the World’s First Thorium Nuclear Reactor—Here’s Why That Matters

By Farhan Ali • June 23, 2025

China has officially brought online the world’s first functional thorium-based nuclear reactor, ushering in a new era of nuclear energy science. The announcement was made by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which confirmed the successful operation of a liquid-fueled molten salt reactor in Wuwei, Gansu Province.

What Is Thorium and Why Is It Different?

• Thorium-232 is a weakly radioactive metal three to four times more abundant than uranium.
  
• It is not fissile on its own, but when bombarded with neutrons, it converts to uranium-233, which sustains a chain reaction.
  
• Thorium fuel cycles produce less long-lived radioactive waste and are less suitable for weaponization.
  
• Molten salt reactors operate at atmospheric pressure, reducing the risk of catastrophic core meltdowns.
  

Key Reactor Specs

• Location: Wuwei, Gansu Province
  
• Reactor Type: Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR)
  
• Power Output (Pilot): 2 MW thermal (scalable)
  
• Fuel: Thorium-232 dissolved in molten fluoride salts
  
• Coolant System: Passive air-based heat rejection
  
• Deployment Goal: Modular, grid-edge energy for western China’s rural provinces
  

Why This Matters

This is the first time thorium has been used in a continuously operating reactor beyond lab-scale prototypes. The implications are vast:

• Energy Security: Thorium reserves are widely distributed, reducing geopolitical supply concerns.
  
• Nuclear Safety: Lower core pressure = lower explosion risk.
  
• Climate Impact: Near-zero carbon emissions, with long-term waste that’s easier to manage.
  
• Non-Proliferation: Thorium cycles are harder to convert for weapons use compared to uranium or plutonium.
  

Global Context

• India has long pursued thorium due to its massive reserves but has not reached full-scale deployment.
  
• Norway and Canada have explored thorium testing via retrofitted light water reactors.
  
• The U.S. pioneered thorium in the 1960s but deprioritized it due to Cold War-era weapons programs.
  

China’s decision to commercialize thorium now reflects a growing divergence in nuclear strategy—prioritizing safety, scalability, and innovation over legacy weapons-compatible tech.

Future Plans

According to China’s Ministry of Science and Technology:

• The next target is a 100 MW commercial reactor by 2030
  
• Thorium-SMR hybrids are being explored for coastal, off-grid, and industrial use
  
• AI-integrated control systems are being developed to automate thorium reactor regulation and safety monitoring
  

Conclusion

This isn’t just another reactor—it’s a fundamental shift in how humanity might produce power. Thorium offers a nuclear renaissance grounded in safety, abundance, and sustainability. And with China in the lead, the global energy conversation may need to catch up fast.

Additional References:

• World Nuclear News (@worldnuclearnews)
  
• International Energy Agency (@ieaorg)
  
• Clean Energy Wire (@cleanenergywire)
  
• Chinese Academy of Sciences Nuclear Division
  
• Seasia News Science Desk (@seasia.news)