China's New Era of Dominance: Pioneering Lunar Missions, Electric Vehicle Breakthroughs, and a Global Infrastructure Boom

China's second domestically-built large cruise ship to be delivered by 2026

China's second domestically made, large cruise ship is scheduled to begin construction in April 2024 and be delivered by the end of 2026, according to Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., LTD on Wednesday. The second ship is expected to float out in May 2025, undock in March 2025, and start a trial run in 2026. It will have two desulfurization towers and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. According to an insider, it is not a duplication of the Adora Magic City but an upgraded version that is 17.4 meters longer, 0.67 million tons heavier and has 19 more rooms. According to the vessel manufacturer, the company will continuously enhance the second cruise ship's design, craftsmanship, construction, and facilities to achieve higher quality and greater efficiency.

Long March 12 to debut this year

According to a designer, China has developed a new type of carrier rocket that is expected to make its debut flight this year. Zeng Wenhua, a structural designer at the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, said on Monday that the research and development stage of the Long March 12, the latest model in the Long March family, has been completed at the academy, a subsidiary of State-owned conglomerate China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. She said a wider body means the rocket can contain more propellants than 3.35-meter-wide models, giving it greater carrying capacity. She said the rocket's medium-sized body would allow it to be conveniently transported by rail to China's inland launch centers. The two-stage variant will mainly be used to transport small and mid-sized satellites to sun-synchronous orbits, said Yu Yansheng, one of its chief designers.

Nation opens the first simulated environment for space research.

China's first Space Environment Simulation and Research Infrastructure facility passed a national-level acceptance review and officially began operations on Tuesday in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. SESRI will address fundamental scientific and technological issues in a large research base for comprehensive space environments, spacecraft, life forms, and plasma interactions. Covering an area of around 50 soccer fields, it can be tailored to specific environmental factors based on scientific and engineering needs, allowing for multiple repetitions without being constrained by time and space, enabling safer and more convenient experimental conditions and research methods. "The platform holds great importance to China in facilitating major breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation, industrial transformation and upgrading, and the cultivation of highly skilled talent," said Han Jiecai, president of the Harbin Institute of Technology and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. "We will strive to reveal more profound scientific laws, accelerate the formation of more independent intellectual property rights, and cultivate more world-class scientific and technological talent, making new and greater contributions to the significant leap of China from a major space power to a strong space power."

15 universities to set up campuses in Xiong'an

"The entry of these outstanding universities will bring high-quality talent and technological resources to Xiong'an and even to the higher education sector of Hebei province," Wang Huan'an, head of the research team for innovative mechanisms in the collaborative development of education in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and deputy director of the development planning office at Capital Normal University, told an industrial forum in Beijing on Sunday. "There are still many differences in educational philosophy, management, and standards among schools in the three regions, which has provided room for cooperation among the three areas," Wang said. The report proposed establishing a comprehensive network governance mechanism and clarifying the rights and obligations of various entities involved in cross-regional cooperative education. On April 1, 2017, China announced plans to establish Xiong'an New Area, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing. The aim was to build a green city on an area of 1,770 square kilometers, featuring innovation and providing a national model of high-quality development.

Chinese lunar lander and new crew spaceship names revealed

China unveiled the names of its manned lunar lander and new crew spaceship. According to a news release from the China Manned Space Agency, the lunar lander that will carry Chinese astronauts to the moon's surface is named Lanyue, or Embracing the Moon, which first appeared in a poem written by the late Chairman Mao Zedong in 1965. The word "Lanyue" symbolizes the Chinese people's aspiration and confidence in their exploration of the universe and expedition to the moon, it said. The research and development of the Lanyue, the Mengzhou, and a super-heavy-lift carrier rocket named Long March 10 have been progressing well, according to the release. The Mengzhou spacecraft will also consist of two major components — a reentry module that will house astronauts and serve as the control center for the entire craft during spaceflight and a service module that will contain power and propulsion systems.

China dismisses the link between the Gulf of Aden escort missions and the Red Sea.

Chinese navy's regular escort missions in the Gulf of Aden are irrelevant to the Red Sea situation, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday. Recently, the 46th escort fleet of the Chinese Navy set sail for the Gulf of Aden to carry out its mission. Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang responded in a news conference by saying that the waters of the Red Sea are an important international channel for goods and energy trade, noting that maintaining regional security and stability aligns with the common interests of the global community. He emphasized that China has consistently advocated for protecting international waterways and opposes acts of harassing civilian vessels. The spokesperson stressed that deploying the Chinese naval fleet to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters is "a routine escort operation and is unrelated to the current regional situation."

PV capacity set for rapid expansion, industry body says

This favorable trend may further stimulate growth and investment in China's expanding PV landscape, said Zhao Tianyi, an analyst at BloombergNEF. After achieving a historic high in newly installed capacity in 2023, China's PV market is set to continue its momentum, maintaining a trajectory of high-level and high-quality development, Zhao said. According to Wang Shijiang, secretary-general of the association, technological prowess has been evident in continuous breakthroughs, including the 33.9 percent conversion efficiency in crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells set by China's solar energy giant Longi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd last year, yet another world record. According to Jiang Hua, deputy secretary-general of the association, cost reductions, and efficiency improvements are at the core of the photovoltaic industry, which is cost-driven. According to figures released by the National Energy Administration, China's cumulative PV capacity reached 609.49 GW by the end of 2023.

Baidu and Pony.ai receive permits to offer robot taxis at Daxing Airport.

Baidu and Pony.ai's autonomous driving vehicles test on the street in Yizhuang in Beijing's southern suburb. Chinese tech heavyweight Baidu Inc and self-driving startup Pony.ai have received permits to offer autonomous vehicle services at Beijing Daxing International Airport, a critical step that indicates Beijing has become the world's first capital city to run passenger-carrying robotaxis from urban areas to the airport. As the world's largest autonomous driving mobility service provider, Baidu's Apollo Go has accumulated over 4.1 million ride orders since September 30, 2023. In the third quarter of last year, Apollo Go provided 821,000 rides, marking a 73 percent year-on-year surge. Baidu's fully autonomous driving robot taxis now operate in several cities nationwide, like Beijing, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Shenzhen.

Number of China-Europe freight trains exceeds 85,000

The cumulative number of China-Europe freight trains has exceeded 85,000, and it has opened a new bridge for economic and trade cooperation for the Eurasian continent, Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday. In the past decade, the customs clearance and inspection along the China-Europe freight trains have become more convenient, the business environment at ports has continued to be optimized, and international transportation regulations have become more standardized, Mao said. Relying on the freight train service, China has achieved closer cooperation with Central Asia and Europe, and its economy and trade have become more prosperous. Many international trade companies, intelligent manufacturing, and supply chains have taken root in areas along the route, and industries such as manufacturing, commerce, finance, and information are continuously being upgraded, making products welcomed in China and European countries, Mao said. China-Europe freight trains will continue to operate at total capacity, injecting new impetus into the development of the Eurasian continent, Mao said.

Palmprint recognition payment in Shanghai draws debate.

Besides face recognition and fingerprint identification, a new payment model has become a hot topic on China's social platforms. At a gate machine at a subway station in Shanghai, a passenger can be identified with five fingers open and the palm centered 5 to 10 centimeters from the reading area. Some netizens said they are looking forward to the new payment model because it is good if their mobile phones have no battery power. However, some people have expressed concern over the abuse of personal biological privacy. The reading area of a gate machine at a subway station in Shanghai.

NEVs to account for 50% in China in 2025

NEVs are expected to see their popularity grow in China, accounting for 40 percent of total new car sales this year and roughly 50 percent in 2025, said Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on Tuesday. He noted that electrification has made it easier to produce vehicles, resulting in fierce competition, and intelligent functions are more critical as they can help carmakers distinguish themselves from others. Globally, NEV sales are estimated to reach 40 million units by 2030, accounting for half of total passenger vehicle sales, said Zhang Yongwei, vice president and secretary-general of the China EV 100. He told Chinese car buyers are now more interested in innovation in active features. Still, in other parts of the world, like Europe and the United States, customers are concerned about the vehicles' mileage on one charge. With the first-mover advantage and fast innovation, Chinese carmakers are expected to seize "several" positions on the list of the world's top 10 carmakers by 2030 as the global automotive market is shifting towards electrification, said Guan Mingyu, a McKinsey partner.

Giant duel-fuel-powered bulk carrier finished construction in China.

A dual-fuel powered bulk carrier with a capacity of 190,000 deadweight tons is named and delivered to its owner on February 29, 2024 by China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd. (Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily) Counting into the new ship, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding's total delivery amount reached 562 units, which will further consolidate the Shanghai-based shipbuilder's leading position in building large innovative bulk vessels. Named Ubuntu Liberty, the ship is the fourth and last of its kind built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for Anglo Americans. The 299.8 meters long and 47.5 meters wide ship is the latest generation of dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ship independently designed, researched, and developed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. Building these vessels is of great significance to both companies in green shipping, which will consolidate the two parties' competitiveness in their respective businesses and lay a solid foundation for future collaboration, according to Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.

At Asia events, C919, ARJ21 go global

On Tuesday, the two aircraft developed by China started their demonstration flights at Van Don International Airport in Vietnam. In the two weeks, they will cover Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, according to their manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corp of China. The two aircraft will also be on static display during the events, and COMAC will conduct product promotional activities to attract potential customers. The two planes impressed audiences and experts alike at the Singapore Airshow, the biennial event that concluded on Sunday. Four C919 jets have been put into commercial operations by Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines and handled more than 130,000 passenger trips.

Experts stress China's key to 6G.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has built the world's largest 5G network, boasting over 800 million mobile subscribers at the end of 2023. China also accounts for 42 percent of the globally declared patents that are essential to 5G technology standards, the largest share in the world, the ministry added. Zhang Yunming, vice-minister of industry and information technology, said at a 6G telecom conference in December that more efforts are needed to deepen international cooperation to promote the formulation of unified 6G global standards. In June, the International Telecommunication Union approved a 6G vision framework, a foundational document for global 6G work, pressing the start button for renewed research and development worldwide. Yang Guang, senior chief analyst at the international market research company Omdia, said: "China believes that mobile networks are essential infrastructure that must be built ahead of schedule.

China has made a breakthrough in dilution refrigerators for quantum computing chips.

China has started mass production of a dilution refrigerator. Scientists said on Tuesday that this device can provide an ultra-low temperature environment close to absolute 0 C for superconducting quantum computer chips, a significant breakthrough amid foreign technological blockades. Following high performance in trials, deliveries began in the second quarter of 2023, Wang Zhehui, who is in charge of the research team behind the refrigerator, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. Wang told the Global Times that the EZ-Q Fridge is competitive in terms of cooling efficacy, and it has shown good technical strength during actual operation. After years of technical research and experimental testing, the equipment can deliver a consistently ultra-low temperature and ultra-quiet environment for quantum chips, down to levels as low as 10mK, Wang explained. "Meanwhile, we will step up efforts to increase our production capacity in a bid to meet domestic scientific research needs and, more importantly, to allow Chinese homegrown equipment to go global," Wang said.

Food delivery drones take flight in SW China's Sichuan.

Takeout food lovers visiting Pengzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, were surprised to enjoy a drone delivery service during this year's Spring Festival holiday. Mr. Ou, camping in the town of Tongji in Pengzhou, opened an app and ordered some hotpot ingredients. Within approximately 10 minutes, a drone from the nearby village delivered the ingredients to his campsite. With a whole load of 5 kilograms, each drone can cover a distance of 10 kilometers. Fifteen routes have been operated in Pengzhou, with 100 daily flights during peak periods.

Chinese automakers navigate global markets with shipping fleets, showcasing the nation’s manufacturing prowess.  

A Ro-Ro ship docks at a berth and prepares to load vehicles destined for export in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, on November 12, 2023. After China achieved the significant milestone of becoming the world's leading automotive exporter in 2023, many domestic auto giants have intensified their efforts to bolster overseas logistics by establishing their own shipping fleets as the new year begins. This strategic move, which combines domestically built ships with surging vehicle exports, has vividly showcased the nation's unrivaled manufacturing prowess. Global Times reporters have learned that Chinese automakers, including BYD, SAIC Motor, Chery Automobile, and GAC Group, actively establish overseas fleets. Its car carrier, SAIC Anji Sincerity, which stands out as the world's largest LNG dual-fuel ro-ro ship currently in operation, completed its maiden voyage in January. Over the next three years, the company said, 14 ocean vessels of varying scales will be integrated into its fleet, facilitating the rapid expansion of Chinese domestic brands across the seas.

The nation plans 100 space missions this year.

In October, a Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou XVII spacecraft lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. At a news conference in Beijing, the record-setting launch schedule was unveiled on Monday by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, a State-owned conglomerate and the nation's leading space contractor. Experts said the year's most significant launch will be the Chang'e 6 expedition, tasked with bringing back the first samples from the little-known lunar far side. Ma said the nation's leading space contractor will also continue its efforts to research, develop, and construct over 200 spacecraft to be launched in the coming years. They include a new-generation crewed spaceship, the Chang'e 7 lunar probe, the Tianwen 2 asteroid explorer, and several advanced satellites.

China's aircraft carrier Liaoning sets out for sea trial after a full year of refurbishment.  

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, reportedly embarked on a sea trial on Thursday after a full year of refurbishment, with observers saying that the lengthy overhaul likely enabled China's next-generation stealth fighter jet to operate on the carrier. Assisted by several tug boats, the aircraft carrier set out from the Dalian Shipyard in Northeast China's Liaoning Province and started a voyage test on Thursday. Hong Kong-based news website wenweipo.com reported, attaching several photos taken by its on-site reporter. It marked the first voyage by the carrier since it had returned to the shipyard for maintenance and upgrades on February 28, 2023, a full year ago. Citing a navigation notice released by the local maritime safety administration, the report suggested that the voyage test could last until March 9. A year of refurbishment means complicated upgrades were applied to the Liaoning rather than simple maintenance, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday. China's third aircraft carrier, the electromagnetic catapult-equipped Fujian, is expected to carry this next-generation stealth fighter jet.

World’s first inter-city electric air taxi conducts demonstration flights in Guangdong.  

A 5-seat eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft flies during a demonstration flight near Shekou Cruise Homeport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, February 27, 2024. AutoFlight, a domestic pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL), has conducted the world's first inter-city electric air-taxi demonstration flight in South China's Guangdong Province. The flight took place Tuesday between Shenzhen and Zhuhai, and it aimed to promote activity in low-altitude airspace. Many companies around the world aim to produce and operate such aircraft, Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. The fast development of the low-altitude economy in Shenzhen is backed by China's growing efforts in the field, including policy support. Experts said Chinese policymakers have attached great importance to developing the low-altitude economy as a strategic emerging sector.

APA Citations:

China's second domestically built large cruise ship will be delivered by 2026 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2024-02-28/detail-ihcychvt6116894.shtml

Long March 12 to debut this year (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/2024-02-27/detail-ihcychvt6113387.shtml

Nation opens first simulated environment for space research (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/2024-02-29/detail-ihcychvt6117831.shtml

15 universities will set up campuses in Xiong'an (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/2024-02-27/detail-ihcychvt6113401.shtml

Chinese lunar lander and new crew spaceship names revealed (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/2024-02-26/detail-ihcychvt6111072.shtml

China dismisses the link between the Gulf of Aden escort missions and the Red Sea (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/military/2024-03-01/detail-ihcychvt6119336.shtml

PV capacity set for rapid expansion, industry body says (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-02-29/detail-ihcychvt6117839.shtml

Baidu and Pony.ai receive permits to offer robotaxis at Daxing airport (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-02-26/detail-ihcychvt6112523.shtml

Number of China-Europe freight trains exceeds 85,000 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-03-01/detail-ihcychvt6119353.shtml

Palmprint recognition payment in Shanghai draws debate (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2024-02-29/detail-ihcychvt6118127.shtml

NEVs are to account for 50% of the total in China in 2025 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-02-28/detail-ihcychvt6116563.shtml

Giant duel-fuel-powered bulk carrier finished construction in China (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-03-01/detail-ihcychvt6119304.shtml

At Asia events, C919 and ARJ21 go global (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-02-28/detail-ihcychvt6115687.shtml

Experts stress China's key to 6G (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/2024-02-29/detail-ihcychvt6117623.shtml 

China has made a breakthrough in dilution refrigerators for quantum computing chips (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/2024-02-28/detail-ihcychvt6115663.shtml

Food delivery drones take flight in SW China's Sichuan (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/video/2024-02-26/detail-ihcychvt6113058.shtml 

Chinese automakers navigate global markets with their own shipping fleet, showcasing the nation’s manufacturing prowess - Global Times (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202402/1306797.shtml 

The nation plans 100 space missions this year (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/2024-02-27/detail-ihcychvt6113234.shtml

China's aircraft carrier Liaoning sets out for sea trial after a full year of refurbishment - Global Times (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1307970.shtml

World’s first inter-city electric air-taxi conducts demonstration flights in Guangdong - Global Times (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202402/1307959.shtml

List of Titles:

China's second domestically-built large cruise ship to be delivered by 2026

Long March 12 to debut this year

Nation opens first simulated environment for space research

15 universities to set up campuses in Xiong'an

Chinese lunar lander and new crew spaceship names revealed

China dismisses link between Gulf of Aden escort missions and Red Sea

PV capacity set for rapid expansion, industry body says

Baidu and Pony.ai receive permits to offer robo taxis at Daxing airport

Number of China-Europe freight trains exceeds 85,000

Palmprint recognition payment in Shanghai draws debate

NEVs to account for 50% in China in 2025

Huge duel-fuel-powered bulk carrier finished construction in China

At Asia events, C919, ARJ21 go global

Experts stress China's key to 6G

China has made a breakthrough in dilution refrigerators for quantum computing chips.

Food delivery drones take flight in SW China's Sichuan

Chinese automakers navigate global markets with their own shipping fleets, showcasing the nation’s manufacturing prowess  

The nation plans 100 space missions this year

China's aircraft carrier Liaoning sets out for sea trial after a full year of refurbishment.  

World’s first inter-city electric air taxi conducts demonstration flights in Guangdong.