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China's CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months
6 months ago
- China's CO2 emissions have been flat or declining for 18 months, suggesting it may have peaked emissions ahead of its 2030 target.
- Solar and wind power generation grew by 46% and 11% respectively in Q3 2025, helping stabilize emissions despite rising electricity demand.
- China added 240GW of solar and 61GW of wind capacity in the first nine months of 2025, setting a renewable energy record.
- Emissions in the travel, cement, and steel industries declined, contributing to flat overall CO2 emissions in Q3 2025.
- China's dual carbon goals are peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, but experts say its 2035 targets are too modest.
- China may miss its 2020-2025 carbon intensity reduction target, requiring steeper cuts to meet its 2030 goal.
- The 15th five-year plan (2026-2030) is expected to prioritize low-carbon energy systems, though details will be released next year.
China's new scientist visa is a 'serious bid' for the top talent
6 months ago
- China introduces a new K visa for young foreign STEM researchers, allowing them to move without a prior job offer.
- The visa aims to attract global talent in key future-focused fields like AI, robotics, and new materials.
- Eligibility is based on age, education, and work experience, with preference for graduates from 'famous' universities.
- China's foreign researcher population is relatively low compared to other leading science nations like the US and South Korea.
- The US is imposing stricter immigration policies, creating an opportunity for China to attract top STEM talent.
- China's K visa reflects a strategic move to enhance competitiveness in STEM fields, following calls for more open talent policies since 2022.
China's CO2 emissions have now been flat or falling for 18 months
6 months ago
- China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or declining for 18 months, starting from March 2024.
- Electric vehicle adoption led to a 5% drop in transport fuel CO2 emissions, while cement and steel production also saw declines.
- Power sector emissions remained flat despite a 6.1% increase in electricity demand, thanks to significant growth in solar (46%) and wind (11%) generation.
- China added 240GW of solar and 61GW of wind capacity in the first nine months of 2025, setting a new renewable record.
- Oil demand in transport fell by 5%, but surged by 10% in other sectors, driven by chemical industry expansion.
- China is on track to miss its 2025 carbon intensity target, requiring steeper reductions to meet 2030 goals.
- Chemical industry growth is pushing up oil demand, with plastics production increasing by 12%.
- China’s emissions in 2025 could either slightly rise or fall, depending on Q4 developments.
- The government’s 2035 target allows for a late emissions peak, potentially incentivizing short-term increases.
- Clean energy growth must exceed 200GW annually to meet climate commitments without drastic demand slowdowns.
New bridge in south-west China collapses into mountainside
6 months ago
- A newly opened bridge in Sichuan province, China, collapsed, with no casualties reported.
- The Hongqi Bridge collapse was captured on video and shared widely on social media.
- Authorities had closed the 758-meter-long bridge a day before due to cracks on nearby roads.
- A landslide caused part of the bridge to collapse completely.
- The bridge was part of a national highway linking Sichuan and Tibet, a seismically active region.
- Construction of the Hongqi Bridge was completed earlier this year by Sichuan Road and Bridge Group.
- China has been rapidly constructing infrastructure in mountainous regions to improve connectivity.
- Recently, China unveiled the world's tallest bridge in Guizhou province.
All 13 fentanyl precursors banned to public
6 months ago
- China tightens controls on fentanyl precursors exported to the US, Canada, and Mexico.
- Effective immediately, a permit is required for exporting 13 specific chemicals.
- The Ministry of Commerce announced the adjustment to the drug-related precursor chemicals catalogue.
- Previously, controls were focused on fentanyl flows to Myanmar, Laos, and Afghanistan.
- The change follows a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, where they reached a consensus on fentanyl.
Three astronauts are stuck on China's space station without a safe ride home
6 months ago
- Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth after 204 days in orbit aboard a Shenzhou spacecraft.
- Commander Chen Dong and crewmates Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie landed in the Gobi Desert at 1:29 am EST.
- The return was delayed due to damage found on the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, suspected to be caused by space debris.
- Chinese officials confirmed the spacecraft's return capsule window had a minor crack, deemed unsafe for manned return.
- The astronauts left three crewmates behind on the Tiangong space station, which has a damaged lifeboat.
Netherlands returns control of Nexperia to Chinese owner
5 months ago
- The Dutch government has returned control of Nexperia to its Chinese owner.
- This move ends a standoff with Beijing that was affecting global automotive production.
- Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans stated the decision was made as 'a show of goodwill'.
- Discussions between Dutch and Chinese authorities are ongoing.
China's shift to electric trucks may reshape global fuel demand – AP News
5 months ago
- China is rapidly replacing diesel trucks with electric models, with electric trucks accounting for 22% of new heavy truck sales in the first half of 2025.
- Electric trucks are becoming more cost-effective, with lifetime savings of 10% to 26% compared to diesel and LNG trucks, despite higher upfront costs.
- Government incentives and investments in charging infrastructure are boosting the adoption of electric trucks in China.
- The shift to electric trucks is reducing diesel consumption in China, with a notable 11% year-on-year drop in June 2024.
- LNG truck sales in China have declined as electric trucks gain market share, though LNG is still seen as a transitional fuel in some regions.
- China's electric truck expansion could impact global LNG and diesel demand, with potential ripple effects in other markets like India.
- Chinese automakers are focusing on the global electric truck market, with exports growing rapidly to regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America.
- New emission standards in China will make it difficult for manufacturers relying solely on fossil-fuel vehicles to comply, further driving the shift to electric.
- China's Sany Heavy Industry and BYD are expanding electric truck exports, including to Europe, where stringent emissions targets are driving demand.
- The rise of electric trucks in China is one of the under-reported stories in the global energy transition, with significant implications for fuel markets.
Chinese drone impersonates British Typhoon fighter jet
5 months ago
- A Chinese military aircraft was tracked around Hainan, broadcasting the identity of a Royal Air Force Typhoon.
- The flight pattern and characteristics suggested it was a Chinese drone, not a Eurofighter.
- The incident highlights vulnerabilities in the ADS-B system, which lacks authentication.
- The use of an RAF hex code by a Chinese aircraft raises questions about intent—testing identity manipulation or misconfiguration.
- The UK government's approval of a Chinese mega embassy in London has raised security concerns.
- Criticism of UK political parties for perceived weakness in handling foreign threats, particularly from China and Russia.
- Discussions about the UK's readiness and commitment to defend against potential conflicts.
- Debate over support for Ukraine, with some advocating continued aid and others calling for negotiation.
China's first reusable rocket Zhuque-3 makes maiden voyage but recovery fails
5 months ago
- China's first reusable rocket, Zhuque-3, made its maiden voyage but the recovery attempt failed.
- The lower stage of the rocket appeared to catch fire before crashing near the recovery site.
- LandSpace, the Beijing-based commercial space company, is investigating the incident.
- The United States remains the only country to successfully return an orbital-class booster.
- China is competing for the second spot in reusable rocket technology with upcoming launches.
- The rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.
- The first stage experienced an anomaly during landing, failing to achieve a soft landing.
- Debris landed on the edge of the recovery pad, leading to a failed recovery test.
What happened on energy and climate in China this year?
5 months ago
- China's CO2 emissions remained flat in 2024, with only a 0.2% increase, marking a significant plateau despite strong energy demand growth.
- Emissions from electricity fell by 2% due to rapid deployment of clean energy, adding 430 TWh of non-fossil electricity—nearly equivalent to Germany's total generation.
- Despite clean energy expansion, China continues to build new coal plants, though their utilization rates are declining, raising concerns about future emissions.
- Oil consumption for road transport dropped by 5%, driven by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, which now account for over half of new car sales.
- Industrial emissions rose, offsetting declines in electricity and transport, with slow adoption of low-carbon steel production methods like electric arc furnaces.
- Predicting China's emissions peak remains uncertain, but analysts expect it before 2030, with structural changes like EV adoption reducing rebound risks.
China leads research in 90% of technologies
5 months ago
- China leads research in nearly 90% of crucial technologies, according to ASPI's Critical Technology Tracker.
- China ranks first in 66 out of 74 technologies, including nuclear energy and synthetic biology, while the US leads in 8, such as quantum computing.
- The shift marks a reversal from the early 2000s when the US led over 90% of technologies and China less than 5%.
- China's dominance is attributed to focused efforts in new technologies rather than traditional fields like semiconductor chips.
- ASPI's analysis is based on over nine million publications, ranking countries by the top 10% most-cited papers from 2020-2024.
- China is outpacing the US in cloud and edge computing, reflecting urgency in AI deployment.
- Experts caution that democratic nations risk losing advantages in essential sectors critical for global technological advancement.
China has invented a whole new way to do innovation
5 months ago
- China's innovation system is characterized by extreme vertical integration, making it unique globally.
- The innovation pipeline historically involves multiple stages and countries, from basic research to commercialization.
- China's innovation boom in the 2010s was driven by the need to move beyond technology transfer from overseas.
- China now leads in research spending (PPP terms), high-quality STEM papers, and high-tech manufacturing.
- Chinese innovation is producing real results, evidenced by skyrocketing technology licensing royalties.
- China's innovation system is not a black box; it involves strategic changes in how research is funded and commercialized.
- Key reports highlight China's reorganization of its science and technology system to enhance innovation.
How China built its ‘Manhattan Project’ to rival the West in AI chips
5 months ago
- Chinese scientists have built a prototype machine capable of producing cutting-edge semiconductor chips in a high-security Shenzhen laboratory.
- The prototype, completed in early 2025, fills nearly an entire factory floor and is currently undergoing testing.
- The machine was reverse-engineered by former engineers from Dutch semiconductor giant ASML, replicating ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) technology.
- EUV machines are central to a technological Cold War, using extreme ultraviolet light to etch ultra-thin circuits onto silicon wafers.
- The West currently monopolizes the capability to produce these advanced chips, which are crucial for AI, smartphones, and military applications.
Foreign ship gets penalty for illegally using Starlink within Chinese waters
4 months ago
- A foreign ship was penalized for illegally using a Starlink terminal within Chinese waters.
- The vessel was found with a 'micro rectangular antenna' during a routine inspection at Ningbo port.
- The antenna was identified as a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication device from a foreign company.
- The ship continued transmitting data using the device after entering Chinese territorial waters.
- This case marks the first successful regulatory action against illegal LEO satellite communication use in Chinese waters.
Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges
4 months ago
- China is showcasing a cargo ship converted into a heavily-armed combatant with containerized vertical launchers, sensors, and self-defense systems.
- The ship features a large rotating phased-array radar, Type 1130 CIWS, Type 726 decoy launchers, and 60 vertical launch cells.
- The configuration suggests a picket ship role for area air defense, but weapon versatility remains possible.
- Questions arise about the practicality and combat effectiveness of the setup, including system integration and stability.
- China's strategy leverages its vast commercial fleet and shipbuilding capacity, posing challenges for the U.S. and allies.
- The U.S. Navy may need to adopt similar approaches due to shipbuilding disparities with China's PLA Navy.
- The concept raises legal and strategic concerns about commercial vessels becoming military targets in conflicts.
Photos Capture the Breathtaking Scale of China's Wind and Solar Buildout
4 months ago
- China installed over half of global wind and solar capacity last year.
- In May alone, China added renewable energy equivalent to powering Poland, installing solar panels at a rate of about 100 per second.
- Renewable energy projects span from urban rooftop solar panels in eastern cities to vast wind farms in western deserts.
- Photographer Weimin Chu uses drones to capture the scale of these projects, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese ink paintings.
- Chu's work was featured in a Greenpeace award-winning exhibition, highlighting the shift to renewable energy.
- Chu transitioned from landscape photography to documenting renewable energy projects, recognizing it as a defining story of the era.
Chinese Fishing Boats Form Sea Barriers
4 months ago
- China mobilized thousands of fishing boats to form massive floating barriers in the East China Sea, stretching over 200 miles.
- The operations demonstrate a new level of coordination, potentially enhancing Beijing's control in contested waters.
- Maritime experts suggest these maneuvers strengthen China's maritime militia, composed of civilian boats trained for military operations.
- The formations could be used to obstruct sea lanes, complicate military operations, or act as decoys in conflicts.
- Analysts highlight the unprecedented scale and discipline of the formations, indicating improved command and control over civilian ships.
- The operations may signal China's readiness to enforce territorial claims or prepare for contingencies, such as a Taiwan crisis.
- China's maritime militia has been increasingly involved in disputes, using tactics like swarming and bumping foreign vessels.
- The recent massing of boats suggests advancements in organization and technology for China's maritime militia forces.
Civilian or military? China turns to merchant fleet to boost military power
4 months ago
- China is considering converting its commercial shipping fleet into makeshift warships to enhance naval power.
- This strategy aims to integrate civilian resources with national defense, potentially altering military balance in the Indo-Pacific.
- The goal is to enable commercial ships to support the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operations.
The applause for China at Davos is sincere
3 months ago
- The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 opened in Davos, Switzerland, facing severe challenges including geopolitical tensions and rising fragmentation.
- China's Vice Premier He Lifeng emphasized China's support for multilateralism, free trade, win-win cooperation, and mutual respect in his speech at the forum.
- Despite global challenges, multilateralism and free trade remain key aspirations, with China playing a significant role in promoting global cooperation and economic resilience.
- China continues to uphold its commitments as a responsible major country, expanding high-standard opening-up and offering vast market opportunities globally.
- China's economic resilience and contributions to global governance have been praised, reinforcing its role in promoting healthy global development.
- The forum highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation over confrontation, with China offering a stable and open approach in an uncertain world.

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#china

China's CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months

China's new scientist visa is a 'serious bid' for the top talent

China's CO2 emissions have now been flat or falling for 18 months

New bridge in south-west China collapses into mountainside

All 13 fentanyl precursors banned to public

Three astronauts are stuck on China's space station without a safe ride home

Netherlands returns control of Nexperia to Chinese owner

China's shift to electric trucks may reshape global fuel demand – AP News

Chinese drone impersonates British Typhoon fighter jet

China's first reusable rocket Zhuque-3 makes maiden voyage but recovery fails

What happened on energy and climate in China this year?

China leads research in 90% of technologies

China has invented a whole new way to do innovation

How China built its ‘Manhattan Project’ to rival the West in AI chips

Foreign ship gets penalty for illegally using Starlink within Chinese waters

Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges

Photos Capture the Breathtaking Scale of China's Wind and Solar Buildout

Chinese Fishing Boats Form Sea Barriers

Civilian or military? China turns to merchant fleet to boost military power

The applause for China at Davos is sincere