On 20 April 2024, a historic breakthrough was made at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, operated by China National Nuclear Power Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of CNNC. The successful extraction of carbon-14 targets from the pressurized heavy water reactor marks China's first large-scale production of carbon-14 from a commercial nuclear power reactor. This achievement has effectively eliminated China's reliance on imported carbon-14 and secured a complete domestic supply chain.

The carbon-14 isotope has a wide range of applications in various sectors, including agriculture, chemistry, medicine and biology. It is of immense value in medical and scientific research, with key applications including the detection of Helicobacter pylori, pharmacokinetic studies and the implementation of beta-ray environmental monitoring systems.

 (Source: China National Nuclear Corporation)