Summary The high intensity D–T fusion neutron generator (HINEG) has been developed at Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences/FDS Team, which will be a significant neutronic experimental platform for research and development of nuclear technology and safety, including the validation of neutronic method and software, radiation protection, material activation, and irradiation damage as well as neutronic performance of components. Its application can also be extended to nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, neutron imaging, and other nuclear technology applications. HINEG consists of two phases: the first phase, named HINEG‐I, aims to have the intensity of 1012 n/s in order of magnitude, and the second phase, HINEG‐II, is designed to reach a neutron yield of 1014–1015 n/s via high‐power tritium target system and high‐intensity ion source. HINEG‐I has been completed and commissioning with the intensity produced of 1.1 × 1012 n/s, while the feasibility of HINEG‐II has been preliminarily demonstrated. This paper will summarize all the latest progress and future plans for the research and development of HINEG. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal of Energy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The high‐intensity D–T fusion neutron generator (HINEG) has been developed at Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences/FDS Team, which will be a significant neutronic experimental platform for nuclear energy. HINEG consists of two phases: HINEG‐I has been completed and commissioning since December 2015 with the neutron yield of 1.1 × 1012 n/s, while the feasibility of HINEG‐II, which is designed to reach a neutron yield of 1014–1015 n/s , has been preliminarily demonstrated.