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Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

The latest news and top stories on the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. A prominent Beijing-based state research institute and think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is dedicated to being China’s highest academic institution and comprehensive research centre for philosophy and social sciences. Established in May 1977, its main areas of focus include language, philosophy, law, economics, religion, ethnicity, archaeology, history and literature. CASS is recognised for its extensive research across nearly 300 sub-disciplines and its significant role as a leading think tank in China and Asia.

A rendering of the Ludi Tance 4-01, the world’s first geosynchronous orbit synthetic aperture radar satellite. Photo: Handout

Science

3 satellites to track all? Chinese radar images confirm US military fears

Breakthrough suggests ability to achieve global, 24/7, all-weather reconnaissance coverage of high-value targets.

2 hours ago

Science

Semiconductor leap: China looks to ‘2D chip’ with 1,000-fold growth speed

12 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

How can Beijing lure top-tier Chinese AI professionals based abroad?

Strategy would help country transition from ‘major trainer’ of talent to ‘development highland’ as tech competition with US intensifies.

5 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

China’s strength in training large numbers of AI talent has not been matched by equally robust development environments. Photo: Xinhua

Science

China’s gravity-detecting SQUID gets closer to spotting US nuclear submarines

Device can spot objects by measuring tiny shifts in gravity, and its compact design means it can be used outside a lab.

3 Apr 2026 - 10:00PM

Artificial intelligence

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:54PM

Science

How a proposed composite in China could strengthen drones, planes and rockets

Next-generation fighter jets and spacecraft stand to see performance gains from weight reduction and structural resilience.

3 Apr 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Researchers say improved joint strength addresses a long-standing weakness in composite materials, such as those used for uncrewed aerial vehicles. Photo: Getty Images

Science

From Mach 0 to 6: this engine may power China’s future fighter jets and missiles

Revolutionary engine prototype three decades in the making could replace combined turbine-ramjet systems in high-speed flight.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Science

China proposes a departure from impact factor to measure academic influence

Chinese researcher says traditional measure of a paper’s citations is susceptible to manipulation and lacks Chinese perspective.

29 Mar 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Semiconductors

China’s self-sufficiency drive hits new milestone with powerful RISC-V chips

The Xiangshan high-performance processor is the latest effort from China to push the boundaries with RISC-V architecture.

27 Mar 2026 - 9:30PM

An AI-themed display is seen at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Artificial intelligence

AI rift widens as China urges boycott of top US conference over sanctions ban

Move to comply with US sanctions sparks backlash, with China’s top computing body threatening to blacklist the AI conference.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

The NeurIPS Foundation has said restrictions are being introduced to comply with US sanctions. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

Could ultra-precise harvest forecasts give China an advantage in Iran war fallout?

Accurate grain output prediction allows China to mitigate food shortages, react to global price rises or plan storage and export measures.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:20PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

China’s jet designer removed online; US warships’ Malaysia stop: 7 highlights

From US warships’ stop in Penang to Jollibee representing Southeast Asian brands globally, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

20 Mar 2026 - 1:20PM

Science

Liu Guozhi, once top PLA scientist, wiped off Chinese Academy of Sciences site

High-power microwave weapon expert was elected to the nation’s top scientific body in 2009.

19 Mar 2026 - 10:24PMvideocam

Liu Guozhi, 65, once headed the science and technology commission of the Central Military Commission – China’s top military decision-making and command body. Photo: Handout

China's military weapons

J-20 fighter jet designer scrubbed from Chinese Academy of Sciences website

Yang Wei has not appeared in public for more than a year, and it comes amid an anti-corruption campaign in the defence sector.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

Yang Wei led the design of the J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Photos: Handout, AP

Science

Controversy haunts likely death of China’s hypersonic weapons expert Fang Daining

The distinguished academic continued working after he was disgraced by a kissing scandal but rarely appeared in public.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:23AM

Science

A rare earth ‘China solution’ that leaves US defence agency in the cold

‘China solution’ delivers helium‑3‑free cooling tech for quantum chips, offers stable, portable system to support space exploration.

17 Mar 2026 - 7:03PMvideocam

Science

China and Chile wrap up Atacama Trench mission as US pressure mounts

Scientists on Chinese research ship aimed to uncover mysteries of the trench in ‘most ambitious’ deep-sea expedition in the eastern Pacific.

17 Mar 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Scientists (from left) Du Mengran, Deng Yuqing and Osvaldo Ulloa in the manned submersible at Atacama Trench. Photo: Handout

Science

Death of Chinese scientist Li Xinying in Egypt raises sharp questions back home

Mystery surrounds the prominent genetic psychologist’s death after official explanation cites ‘non-specific respiratory failure’.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:25PM

Trending in China

‘Cyber confession room’ where China youth share life’s struggles gains traction

Young people shun sharing feelings, fears with family or friends, turn to virtual spaces, which experts warn could erode real human contact.

12 Mar 2026 - 9:15AM

China energy security

How is China insulating its energy security amid geopolitical shocks?

Increasing oil and gas exploration, pushing ahead with green transition among contingency plans in place, geologist NPC deputy says.

11 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Vehicles refuel at a petrol station in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, on Monday ahead of an increase in petrol and diesel prices that came into effect on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

In world of crisis, China urged to build deep below its western hinterlands

Critical facilities should be embedded deep beneath the Earth’s surface at a safer, less detectable level, energy expert says.

8 Mar 2026 - 4:57PMvideocam

A drive to create underground spaces in China’s rugged western region ties into Beijing’s broader strategy of shifting critical facilities away from the densely populated and more exposed eastern hubs. Photo: Xinhua

Science

What is the moon’s far side made of? Chinese scientists use AI to crack mystery

Findings add to a growing body of insights from China’s historic Chang’e-6 mission to the lunar far side in 2024.

7 Mar 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Science

China and Uruguay team up on science to target cancer, pests and robotics

The two countries look for new potential in a relationship built on trade in agricultural products.

7 Mar 2026 - 4:02PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

Hitting inflation target is key to China’s other economic goals, adviser says

Economist Zhang Bin says this year’s 2 per cent inflation target ‘corresponds to a state of relative equilibrium between supply and demand’.

6 Mar 2026 - 3:32PM

A woman shops for vegetables at a store in Fuyang, Anhui province, last month. Photo: AFP

Two Sessions 2026

China pivots to ‘investing in people’ strategy as growth engine switches gears

Premier announces changes in spending priorities, aiming to boost consumption, but doubts remain whether resources will match ambitions.

6 Mar 2026 - 1:05PMvideocam

A worker uses machinery at a steel structure firm in China’s Sichuan province. China will raise the average duration of education for the working-age population to 11.7 years by 2030. Photo: Xinhua

Banking & finance

How China’s sovereign debt is becoming a real alternative to US Treasuries

Beijing is now offering dollar-denominated sovereign bonds at rates matching equivalent US Treasuries – and investors are snapping them up.

4 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM

China jobs

China should up education spending to help population adapt to AI era: economist

Prominent Chinese economist says it is imperative to ensure the next generation can withstand the changes being driven by AI.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

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