Science Island showcases China’s commitment to science and technology innovation

Surrounded by a massive reservoir and lush foliage, this islet in Hefei, the capital of east China’s Anhui Province, appears serene. However, it is dedicated to something much larger, notably nuclear fusion research with the future of humanity in mind.

research Island exemplifies innovation and the opening up of China’s research and technology in pursuit of future clean energy, as well as answers to climate change and health issues, through global collaboration.

“One thing I appreciate about this project is the great number of young individuals involved, as evidenced by the control room. Richard Pitts, leader of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’s Experiments and Plasma Operation Section, stated, “This is exactly what fusion needs.”

The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor, ITER, will be built in France by seven ITER members: China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States. A tokamak is essentially a magnetic cage designed to confine, shape, and regulate the ultra-hot plasmas that enable fusion reactions.

Pitts stated that ITER should be viewed as a fundamental project that brings nations together, and China is an excellent example of this.

China formally joined the ITER program in 2006. China handled over 10% of all procurement packages. The Chinese mission’s major unit is the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), which is located on the island.

The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor, ITER, will be built in France by seven ITER members: China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States. A tokamak is essentially a magnetic cage designed to confine, shape, and regulate the ultra-hot plasmas that enable fusion reactions.

Pitts stated that ITER should be viewed as a fundamental project that brings nations together, and China is an excellent example of this.

China formally joined the ITER program in 2006. China handled over 10% of all procurement packages. The Chinese mission’s major unit is the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), which is located on the island.

“China is a leader in nuclear fusion. “Our collaboration in basic research yielded very good results in applied research,” stated Grigory Trubnikov, head of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, when touring the island on July 1.

“We have a lot of plans together, and not only in basic research, but also in engineering, physics, novel energy, biomedicine and more to improve the quality of people’s life,” according to him.

Science Island is home to the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), sometimes known as the “Chinese artificial sun.” Its ultimate goal is to achieve nuclear fusion like the sun, using elements rich in the sea to generate a continual stream of clean energy.

A new construction and operation plan for the ITER program was prepared in 2023, requiring experiments to identify and resolve potential issues. EAST, which follows the same technological route and experimental circumstances as ITER, was chosen as a partner by the ITER organization to help optimize its new plans.

China has been sharing EAST’s achievements with the rest of the globe.

In May 2023, the Chinese Academy of Sciences formally established a pilot program for magnetic confinement fusion energy research for open innovation, with the goal of creating a globally competitive ecosystem.

ASIPP has actively encouraged the development of relevant disciplines and experimental devices in nations across Southeast Asia, West Asia, South America, and North Africa, thanks to the support of important scientific institutes such as EAST.

Thailand’s first experimental tokamak device was formally launched on July 25, 2023, as the result of a collaboration between ASIPP and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology.

The two sides decided to collaborate to create the first tokamak device in an ASEAN country, as well as to assist Thailand in developing a team of young fusion researchers.

“More than 100 people from our team travel to ITER headquarters almost every year to carry out joint research,” said Gong Xianzu, head of EAST Physics and Experimental Operations section.

Meanwhile, every year, around 500 foreign scholars visit Science Island to exchange ideas and collaborate with their Chinese colleagues. According to the ASIPP, the islet has introduced over 130 international specialists and formed an innovation network that includes more than 150 research institutes from over 70 nations and regions.

The Origin Wukong, China’s independently developed third-generation superconducting quantum computer, is located approximately 16 kilometers from Science Island.

The high-tech computer, named after a Chinese story, has proven to be extremely strong. Since its inception on January 6, it has completed around 250,000 quantum computing operations for global users, with over 125 countries and regions accessing the computer in excess of 12 million times, according to local officials.

China will strengthen its capacity for opening up while expanding international cooperation, and capable private enterprises leading national initiatives will be supported to make breakthroughs in major technologies, according to the CPC Central Committee’s resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization.

Computing power will be the backbone of the economy in the future, and quantum computing power is significantly greater than that of a supercomputer while using less energy, according to Guo Guoping, head scientist at Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co., Ltd.

“We can use quantum computing technology to achieve breakthroughs in various industries to improve productivity, create more value and help promote economic development,” Guo told reporters.