Shenzhou-20 astronauts return home, Qian Hong leaves US for China: 7 science highlights

From a new study clearing an ancient queen’s name to a leap in computing power, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting

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Astronaut Wang Jie waves as he is carried out of the Shenzhou-21 spaceship’s return capsule after it touched down at the Dongfeng landing site on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 3:30pm, 19 Nov 2025

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1. Mathematician Qian Hong, son of top scientific clan, leaves US for China

Qian Hong, previously the Olga Jung Wan endowment professor in applied mathematics at the University of Washington in Seattle, has returned to China after 40 years in the US. Photo: Handout

A renowned mathematician who is also part of China’s Qian clan – a surname linked in the annals of Chinese scientific history to national pioneers in science and engineering – has become the latest US-based scientist to return to China.

2. Stranded Chinese astronauts return home from space station mission

Three astronauts whose return to Earth from China’s Tiangong space station was delayed last week after a suspected debris strike touched down on Friday at the Dongfeng landing site in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

3. Chinese history blamed this woman for 2,796 years. Science clears her name

For nearly three millennia, she has been remembered not as a person, but as a symbol: the beautiful femme fatale whose cold heart and untouchable beauty brought down a dynasty. Photo: Handout

Shenzhou-20 astronauts return home, Qian Hong leaves US for China: 7 science highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From a new study clearing an ancient queen’s name to a leap in computing power, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting

1. Mathematician Qian Hong, son of top scientific clan, leaves US for China

2. Stranded Chinese astronauts return home from space station mission

3. Chinese history blamed this woman for 2,796 years. Science clears her name

From a new study clearing an ancient queen’s name to a leap in computing power, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting