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Six Chinese technology projects that might change the world

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A glimpse of six advanced research projects underway on the Chinese mainland. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Stephen Chenin Beijing

One of China’s leading physicists has called for the creation of a government agency similar to the US institute that develops new technology for the military. Professor Pan Jianwei, the nation’s leading expert on quantum physics and executive vice-president of the University of Science and Technology of China, said Washington’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency in the US, or DARPA, was a good model of how to pursue innovative research for military applications, including the internet, GPS and voice recognition technology. Reporter Stephen Chen takes introduces us briefly to six advanced research projects underway on the Chinese mainland:

1. Construction of the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou

Construction of the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou will be completed in September. The FAST will be the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope with three times the sensitivity of the Arecibo Observatory built by the United States in Puerto Rico. A major mission of FAST is to look for radio signals sent out by outer space intelligence. Photo: National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Construction of the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou will be completed in September. The FAST will be the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope with three times the sensitivity of the Arecibo Observatory built by the United States in Puerto Rico. A major mission of FAST is to look for radio signals sent out by outer space intelligence. Photo: National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2. An artist impression of Chinese first deep sea station

China is also developing its first deep sea station which will allow three crew members to live and work at depth beyond 1,000 metres for two months. The deep sea station is expected to strengthen the nation’s ability to explore and exploit minerals and energy resources on previously inaccessible ocean floors. The project is expected to be completed before 2020. File Photo
China is also developing its first deep sea station which will allow three crew members to live and work at depth beyond 1,000 metres for two months. The deep sea station is expected to strengthen the nation’s ability to explore and exploit minerals and energy resources on previously inaccessible ocean floors. The project is expected to be completed before 2020. File Photo

3. The world’s first quantum communication satellite

China will launch the world’s first quantum communication satellite in June, bringing the technology of quantum teleportation in science fiction a step closer to real life. The satellite is expected to create an unbreakable link of encrypted communication between China and Europe. File photo
China will launch the world’s first quantum communication satellite in June, bringing the technology of quantum teleportation in science fiction a step closer to real life. The satellite is expected to create an unbreakable link of encrypted communication between China and Europe. File photo
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