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SCMP

We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Chinese scientists have bad news on having babies in space
If the future of humanity lies in the vast expanse of space, could humans actually perpetuate the species beyond Earth? As a team of Chinese scientists has discovered – the outlook is not very positive.
2. China plans to strengthen Great Green Wall with fastest-growing plant: bamboo

After decades of fighting desertification with straw, plants and plastic, Chinese researchers have turned to bamboo – one of the most resilient and sustainable materials on the planet.
3. Wang Hong and Deng Yu become first Chinese nationals to win Fields Medal
For the first time, China has produced Fields Medal winners educated on its own soil – and two at once. Chinese mathematicians Wang Hong and Deng Yu took the honour, alongside John Pardon and Jacob Tsimerman.
4. China plans to hit an asteroid with a Mach 26 projectile in planet defence test

China’s first planetary defence mission appears to be far more ambitious than Nasa’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Dart), according to a new paper outlining its plan to slam a spacecraft into an asteroid before 2030.
5. China is now world’s No 1 science power, top Russian scientist says

Leading Russian chemist and materials scientist Artem Oganov, who received China’s top international science and technology award, said the honour from the world’s No 1 science power was a sign he was “on the right track”.
6. China can turn plastic waste to jet fuel at a low cost: study
More than 460 million tonnes of plastic is produced around the world each year, and the material’s resistance to degradation is fuelling growing concern about its environmental impact.
7. Sun Fanglin, Chinese scientist who paved way for new cancer drugs, dies at 58
Leading Chinese scientist Sun Fanglin, whose work on how cells age and form tumours helped pave the way for the development of new cancer treatments, has died aged 58.


Having babies in space; China’s first Fields Medal winners: 7 science highlights

Indonesia’s Singapore rival, India’s one-shot win over SpaceX: 7 Asia highlights

Apple leak in India, China eyes Indonesia for mineral access: 5 weekend reads you missed

Fresh US tariffs on 60 economies; first China duo win Fields Medal: SCMP’s 7 highlights

SCMP Highlights

Researchers have proposed using bamboo as a sand barrier in the north of the country. Photo: Handout

The study marks the world’s first successful differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into germ cells in a space environment, according to paper published in Science Advances. Photo: Shutterstock

China has revealed plans to hit an asteroid at 9km per second, equivalent to more than 26 times the speed of sound, before 2030. Photo: Shutterstock 

Russian scientist Artem Oganov says the future belongs to “those who build the bridges, not those who burn them”. Photo: Handout

Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

In recent years, the number of Chinese students studying in the US has steadily fallen. Photo: Xinhua

Award-winning chemist Zhang Wei leaves US to join China’s Great Bay University

Zhang Wei’s research covers topics from two-dimensional materials and porous organic materials, to sustainable and recyclable polymers, molecular separation and carbon capture. Photo:  Handout

Zhang Wei (left) was presented with an appointment letter by GBU president Tian Gang on July 2. Photo: Handout

China’s rare earth weakness, new rocket to rival SpaceX: 7 science highlights

A communications satellite equipped with the 750 newton test engine takes off from the Wenchang launch site in southern China on board a modified version of the Long March-7 rocket on June 23. Photo: Xinhua

A mine in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, a part of China’s vast rare earth mining industry. But new study says the country’s “international patent layout remains insufficient”. Photo: AP

China has succeeded in recovering the reusable rocket used in the maiden launch of the Long March-10B. Photo: Weibo/萌虎鲸

Chih-Ying Su (right) pictured at her American lab at UC San Diego. Photo: Handout

China displays a high-power microwave weapon system during the Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

News

China

Science

From China’s plans on its Great Green Wall to having babies in space, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting


From China’s plans on its Great Green Wall to having babies in space, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.


Russia

Having babies in space; China’s first Fields Medal winners: 7 science highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From China’s plans on its Great Green Wall to having babies in space, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting

1. Chinese scientists have bad news on having babies in space

From China’s plans on its Great Green Wall to having babies in space, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting