Some 90 Chinese Nuclear Scientists Resign

State Council of the People’s Republic of China has set up a team to investigate to probe the recent resignation of over 90 nuclear security scientists at a Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)’ Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology (INEST).

In a statement, CAS said last week that the team consisting of officials from the State Council's general office, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the CAS and other departments, will be sent to Hefei, Anhui province, to investigate the situation. Another team led by the academy's secretary general Wang Keqiang arrived in Hefei on July 20.

According to its official website, INEST is devoted to the research and development of advanced nuclear energy and safety technology. Its research areas include neutron physics, advanced fission energy, fusion energy and extended nuclear technology applications.

The resignation of INEST scientists ignited public speculation on institutional bureaucracy, employee poaching and inadequate financial support for young scientific talent.

The CAS institute told China Daily a few days ago that the resignation was due to personal reasons and was completely voluntary. The scientists are now said to be working for private firms that are investing in products related to nuclear safety technologies, the report said.