MOL, Belgium, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Belgian Nuclear Research Center is exploring ways of cooperation with China, said a top official of the research body, on Tuesday.

Eric van Walle, general manager of the center, travels to China next week to look at cooperation opportunities with the country.

The research center, known as the SCK-CEN, aims to set foot in China for contractual work and invite Chinese researchers to its facilities, van Walle told a group of Chinese journalists.

"The opportunities for China and SCK-CEN can be found in the areas of consulting, participation in research programs, education and training," he said.

The two sides can cooperate, among other things, in radiation protection, nuclear safeguards, nuclear safety, management of radioactive waste, nuclear medicine, nuclear education and training, he said.

Da Ruan, coordinator for Belgium-China nuclear cooperation at the SCK, said the SCK's expertise in dismantling of nuclear installations might be of particular interest to China.

Prospects in nuclear education and training are also good as China needs a large number of nuclear engineers.

The SCK offers a master's course in nuclear engineering in collaboration with six Belgian universities. It also offers a training course sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

But the total training capacity is limited at the SCK. Ruan said SCK researchers can open courses in China.

The SCK, established in 1952, carries out a variety of nuclear-related research, including nuclear materials, advanced nuclear systems, nuclear waste management, nuclear medicine and nuclear safety.

China and Belgium signed an accord on nuclear cooperation on Sept. 21 in Brussels during a visit of Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan.