TOPIC

Science

Related Topics:
Science
Latest news on research and breakthroughs by Chinese scientists, as the country ramps up investment in science and innovation as part of its ambitions to become a world-leading power by 2035, and other developments worldwide.
LATEST China Science NEWS

China urged to sue over Japanese royal’s role in Unit 731 crimes

videocam
A Chinese scholar says that before Japan’s surrender in the second world war, evidence of crimes by its Unit 731 was systematically destroyed on the instruction of Emperor Hirohito. Photo: Xinhua

Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US

videocam
64
China’s Long March 12A, the country’s first state-owned reusable rocket, has failed on its debut launch on Tuesday morning. Photo: Weibo

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

videocam
The team that identified the security flaw has urged manufacturers to establish their own security systems or seek external help. Photo: Xinhua

Well-preserved section of China’s 2,200-year-old four-lane highway discovered

videocam
A previously identified section of the road. Archaelogists are slowly piecing togther the whole route. Photo: Handout

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

DeepSeek is being touted as China’s secret weapon in the artificial intelligence war with the US. Photo: AFP
MORE China Science NEWS
A Chinese scholar says that before Japan’s surrender in the second world war, evidence of crimes by its Unit 731 was systematically destroyed on the instruction of Emperor Hirohito. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

China urged to sue over Japanese royal’s role in Unit 731 crimes

Emperor Hirohito should be held accountable, according to scholars who say the wartime ruler was shielded from prosecution by US policy.

videocam
Indonesia

Rafflesia flower rediscovery in Indonesia revives push to drop colonial name

United States

Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US

videocam
64
Shanghai

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

videocam
The team that identified the security flaw has urged manufacturers to establish their own security systems or seek external help. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

Well-preserved section of China’s 2,200-year-old four-lane highway discovered

Stretch of Qin Straight Road reveals sophisticated construction techniques including rammed-earth slope reinforcements and filled valleys.

videocam
Mainland China

Exclusive | ‘No need to explain’: leading mRNA vaccine expert Hu Haitao leaves US for China

China is catching up fast in mRNA-related fundamental research and technological development, Hu says.

videocam
36
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Archaeology and palaeontology

In eastern China, ancient ruins push back the date of Yangtze delta’s earliest cities

Excavations at the Doushan site near Wuxi suggest water may have spurred the development of the oldest centres in the area.

The prehistoric Doushan site in Wuxi is believed to date back about 6,000 years. Photo: Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Mainland China

China speeds up armour steel production by 30%, US Conshohocken plant folds

Chinese military supplier solves tech snag to boost manufacturing levels, while American counterpart ceases operations due to financial loss.

videocam
27
Mainland China

Targeted jamming incident blinds GPS and BeiDou in east China’s Nanjing

Food delivery, drone control and ride-hailing apps paralysed during satellite navigation blackout in city of nearly 10 million.

7
Mainland China

Landmark in-air refuelling test extends China’s drone swarm delivery range to US

Strike radius of Chinese drone programme capable of carrying deadly military weapons doubled to reach Washington, New York and Miami.

videocam
19
This image shows a drone-to-drone refuel test flight with two signalling bulbs being blocked. Photo: NPU
Mainland China

How China cracked US ‘super code’ that controls most power grids in the world

Breakthrough could shake-up global tech markets with nations able to run their own grids and break away from US dominance.

videocam
18
China’s Southern Regional Electricity Market, the world’s largest unified power market, has fully switched to the homegrown Tianquan solver, which is 14 per cent faster than US rivals. Photo: EPA-EFE
Mainland China

Chinese team builds optical chip AI that is 100 times faster than Nvidia’s A100

Researchers harnessed the power of light to create a chip that could perform complex generative tasks with vastly improved energy efficiency.

25
Mainland China

Why US lawmakers killed a proposal targeting science efforts with China

US researchers and industry experts warn that even the revised version may have unintended consequences.

videocam
11
Mainland China

China’s mind-control robot tech breakthrough brings ‘telepathy’ to life

Huge advancement allows paralysed man to work, order takeaway delivery via robotic dogs and control smart wheelchairs with his thoughts.

videocam
Chinese scientists have had a huge breakthrough in brain-computer interfacing technology, allowing a paralysed man to control smart wheelchairs and robotic dogs with his mind. Photo: Handout
Belgium

China offers ‘wonderful opportunity’ for scientists: top European neurologist

Consciousness expert Steven Laureys has taken on a role at Hangzhou Normal University amid ‘challenging times’ for science in the US.

8
Steven Laureys is working with researchers at Hangzhou Normal University. Photo: Handout
SCMP Highlights

Physicists prove Einstein wrong, US-China jet race: 7 science highlights

From a fresh water production breakthrough to a promising Parkinson’s treatment, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Mainland China

How Chinese scientists turn allergy into a powerful weapon against cancer

Mast cell platform can expand to carry other payloads, such as molecules, viruses, proteins and drug-loaded nanoparticles.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Mainland China

China’s research paper boom could be a ‘false prosperity’, academician warns

Senior biologist Zhang Hong, a member of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences, fears genuine innovation may be at risk.

videocam
10
Chinese scientists are publishing a growing number of papers in top international journals and have led the world in research output since 2019. Photo: Handout
Mainland China

China’s ultra-hot heat pump breakthrough paves way for melting ore with sunlight

Capturing and upgrading even a fraction of dissipated energy could transform the country’s industrial efficiency and slash carbon emissions.

videocam
Mainland China

Why China’s growing demand for rare-earth steel is bad news for America’s F-35

Advanced product is used in huge infrastructure projects but that has further reduced supply for overseas buyers like the US defence sector.

videocam
31
Mainland China

Sperm quality decline: could easy-to-use balm from China solve the crisis?

In China, unhealthy lifestyles, pollution and work-related stress are cited in public health discussions around declining sperm quality.

videocam
A national reproductive health survey in 2021 indicated one in nearly six couples of childbearing age faced difficulties in starting a family. Photo: Getty Images
Space

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

videocam
10
Illustration: Davies Christian
Mainland China

How China’s US$150,000 robot start-up beat Elon Musk in 2 years

EngineAI robot delivers forceful Bruce Lee-style kicks, while Musk’s Optimus jogs a few steps and falls over while handing out water bottle.

videocam
54
Mainland China

China’s green tech revolution will outlast geopolitics: Arif Aga

Low costs, not geopolitics, will drive the global energy transition in the long run, industry consultant says.

videocam
6
United States

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

videocam
22
Illustration: Henry Wong
United States

Race for AI space centres: why the US goes all in after China makes first move

Beijing and Washington battle for tech domination with next-gen plans to launch supercomputers into orbit and transform global connectivity.

videocam
92
The push to deploy AI into orbit is a strategic gambit with far-reaching consequences for national security and economic dominance. Photo: Shutterstock
Mainland China

How China left the US years behind in sixth-generation jet race

Experience and skill in building stealth fighter jets is crucial to get the competitive edge on rivals, says lead designer Yang Shuifeng.

videocam
72
Norway

Flood expert Xu Chongyu leaves Europe for China as climate change speeds up

Scientist whose hydrological models have guarded European cities from rising tides returns to China to tackle critical water challenges.

videocam
5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement