标签： Asia

In a significant national address, China’s top science official Ding Xuexiang has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the country’s technological future, emphasizing the critical need for sustained progress and self-reliance in scientific capabilities. Speaking at Monday’s National Conference on Science and Technology in Beijing, the senior official who directs China’s Central Science and Technology Commission called for comprehensive strengthening of the nation’s innovation ecosystem.

Ding, who also serves on the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party Central Committee, highlighted the remarkable achievements during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), noting that scientific innovation has become a strategic pillar supporting the country’s modernization drive while comprehensively enabling high-quality development.

The official emphasized several key priorities including bolstering fundamental research capabilities, enhancing China’s autonomous innovation capacity, and improving basic conditions for scientific research. Ding specifically called for leveraging strategic scientific and technological strengths while simultaneously deepening international collaboration in science and technology.

A central focus of the address was the integration of technological innovation with industrial advancement. Ding urged strengthening the leading role of enterprises in innovation, accelerating the establishment of a science and technology financial system, and improving guidance for developing new quality productive forces.

The human capital dimension featured prominently in the speech, with Ding stressing the importance of expanding China’s science and engineering talent pool and advancing the construction of international sci-tech innovation centers. This comprehensive approach signals China’s commitment to building a robust, self-reliant scientific ecosystem that can compete globally while maintaining international cooperation.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres has demonstrated that lunar-based observation platforms offer a revolutionary perspective on Earth’s radiation dynamics, effectively capturing the planet’s complete energy signature without atmospheric interference.

The research, conducted by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reveals that the moon’s unique vantage point provides a permanent, full-disk view of Earth that surpasses the limitations of conventional satellite monitoring systems. Unlike low-Earth orbit satellites that capture fragmented regional data or geostationary satellites limited to hemispheric observation, the lunar perspective enables continuous monitoring of the entire planet’s radiation budget.

Dr. Ye Hanlin, lead researcher from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at CAS, explained the significance of this discovery: “The lunar observation platform allows us to distinguish planetary-scale climate patterns from localized weather noise. Approximately 90% of Earth’s radiation variations can be mapped using spherical harmonics—mathematical patterns that essentially form Earth’s unique radiation fingerprint.”

The study further identified distinct rhythmic cycles in radiation data corresponding to lunar phases, orbital mechanics, and Earth’s rotation. These patterns provide scientists with unprecedented clarity in analyzing climate-relevant radiation features that were previously obscured by atmospheric interference.

Academician Guo Huadong, corresponding author of the study, emphasized the transformative potential of this approach: “This holistic perspective from the moon represents a paradigm shift in climate monitoring. It provides the consistent, comprehensive data required to advance our understanding of global climate change mechanisms and improve the accuracy of climate models.”

The findings establish lunar-based Earth observation as a critical tool for future climate research, offering a stable platform for long-term monitoring of planetary energy balance and contributing to more precise climate change predictions.

A groundbreaking marine conservation initiative between China and Indonesia has achieved significant breakthroughs in coral reef restoration, demonstrating the power of international scientific collaboration in addressing oceanic environmental challenges. The joint research project on marine offshore ecological ranching technology, spearheaded by Shanghai Ocean University in partnership with Indonesian institutions, has transformed degraded marine areas into thriving underwater ecosystems.

According to the latest survey data, coral coverage in the project area near Pulau Bonetambung island in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province has shown extraordinary recovery. From October to December 2025, coral coverage surged from 10% to 22%, representing one of the most successful marine restoration efforts recorded in the region. Researchers have documented 132 distinct coral species, predominantly from the Acropora and Porites genera, establishing vibrant new habitats for marine biodiversity.

The project’s success extends beyond coral regeneration to encompass the entire marine ecosystem. The research team, led by Professor Liu Bilin from Shanghai Ocean University, reports the return of high-trophic-level fish species including the eight-banded butterflyfish (Chaetodon octofasciatus) and bicolor parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor), indicating the establishment of a complete, self-sustaining food chain within the restored area.

Advanced monitoring technologies have been deployed to ensure the project’s continued success. Underwater binocular cameras function as ‘ecological sentinels,’ providing real-time, high-definition monitoring of fish activity, biological distribution, and fouling organism growth without requiring frequent manual surveys. This technological innovation, as explained by Professor Zou Leilei, addresses the traditional limitations of marine environmental assessment.

The project, currently in its second phase (2025-2027), is expanding both technically and geographically. Syiah Kuala University, another Indonesian institution with strong marine science expertise, has joined the collaboration, enhancing knowledge exchange and local capacity building. Training programs and joint research initiatives are being strengthened to cultivate Indonesian expertise in marine conservation, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these restoration efforts.