Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

Scientists

Scientists
Latest news and updates on Chinese scientists, including the hundreds of researchers who in recent years have switched affiliations from American universities to institutions in China.
Professor Tao Li. Photo: University of Florida via Bloomberg edit
US-China relations

Professor’s alleged role in China programmes leads to ban from US funding

Academic Tao Li was a programme officer at the National Science Foundation, a job that included overseeing the awarding of research grants.

videocam
China’s Communist Party

How the guest list for Beijing’s summer retreat reveals its tech priorities

videocam
Education in Hong Kong

Exclusive | CUHK chief Dennis Lo ‘calm’ about talk of Nobel Prize for groundbreaking test

Semiconductors

Exclusive | ‘Science is a universal language’: US materials pioneer defends global ties

Elsa Reichmanis spent decades collaborating with Chinese science teams and says research should remain distinct from tech rivalry.

videocam
4
Elsa Reichmanis, who was one of the recipients of the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award in July. Photo: Handout
Mainland China

Video | Chinese mathematicians win Fields Medal

The pair are the first Chinese nationals to win the ‘Nobel Prize of mathematics’.

Science

Fields Medallists lead new wave of young Chinese scientists in global research

Wang Hong and Deng Yu’s historic Fields Medal win illustrates China’s decades-long investment in scientific talent pipeline, say advocates.

videocam
44
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Science

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

On his return to China, Zhang says he looks forward to cultivating talent ‘who truly understand science, technology and industrial needs’.

videocam
20
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
Science

Pan Jianwei becomes first Chinese scientist to win top UN basic science prize

Father of quantum recognised for ‘seminal contributions to large-scale secure quantum communications and scalable quantum computation’.

videocam
Science

Energy scientist Chen Peipei leaves Cambridge to build her own lab in Hong Kong

Chen relocates to gain research autonomy and start-up grants for young scientists, which she says UK universities struggle to afford.

videocam
22
Space

Our latest interstellar visitor has no signs of alien tech, scientists say

There were no ‘technosignatures’ from comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known object from a faraway star.

The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, as captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 30, 2025. Photo: Nasa via AP
Science

Chinese scientists grow heart’s ‘master conductor’ that could replace pacemaker

Shanghai researchers engineer biological pacemaker that could offer a new way to control abnormal heart rhythms.

videocam
The findings of Chinese scientists may offer possibilities for future biological pacemaker strategies, according to their paper. Image: Shutterstock
US-China relations

As I see it | US’ scientific self-harm will only help China

While Washington slashes funding for the sciences, Beijing is clinching its lead in everything from patent applications to publications.

videocam
16
Science

Canada Research Chair chemist Janusz Pawliszyn joins Chinese university

The Polish scientist who invented two widely used analytical chemistry techniques has been hired by one of his former students.

16
Science

China proposes a departure from impact factor to measure academic influence

Chinese researcher says traditional measure of a paper’s citations is susceptible to manipulation and lacks Chinese perspective.

videocam
6
Two new Dongbi Index journal lists were unveiled in Shanghai on Saturday. The development team says they are “a multidimensional, multilevel evaluation system centred on research quality”. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

Liu Guozhi, once top PLA scientist, wiped off Chinese Academy of Sciences site

High-power microwave weapon expert was elected to the nation’s top scientific body in 2009.

videocam
8
Liu Guozhi, 65, once headed the science and technology commission of the Central Military Commission – China’s top military decision-making and command body. Photo: Handout
United States

US drops charges against Chinese scientists after diplomatic talks

Lawyers for the trio said the charges were dismissed by a judge in Detroit after ‘some kind of intervention’ by the Chinese consulate.

Science

World-leading EV motor expert joins Hong Kong PolyU after 38 years in Britain

Permanent magnets scientist Zhu Ziqiang is continuing his globally renowned research in his new role.

videocam
9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong

Vietnam’s legendary maths genius Ngo Bao Chau to join University of Hong Kong

The Fields Medal winner and his country’s most distinguished mathematician is leaving the US and returning to Asia.

videocam
15
Ngo Bao Chau made history in 2010 as the first Vietnamese recipient of the prestigious Fields Medal, regarded as the mathematics equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

US-China cooperation backed by most Americans, new national survey reveals

C100 study finds bipartisan public support for dialogue despite Washington’s tougher stance on visas, research collaboration and tariffs.

videocam
9
US-China relations

US losing out to China with ‘onslaught’ on cutting-edge research: Nobel laureate

America risks losing the tech race to China unless it elects a government more supportive of scientific research, Nobel-winning economist says.

videocam
69
Science

As I see it | We can now watch our own genes dance

Modern biology reveals a real miracle: how broken pieces of molecules evolved into a species that became conscious of its own genetic make-up.

videocam
An animation of the structure of DNA. Photo: Shutterstock Images
SCMP Highlights

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

From a world-leading statistician to a mathematics luminary, here are some experts who made the move.

5
(From left) Joshua Zahl, Chen Jing and Zhou Ming. Photo: Handout/Tsinghua University
US-China relations

US-based scientist Valery Fokin wins Vyzov Prize, beating fierce Chinese rivals

USC chemistry professor is awarded one of Russia’s top science honours, topping competition from 40 countries.

6
US-China relations

China still targeting US-based researchers for ‘malign’ purposes, lawmakers told

Multiple US government agencies told a House committee that security concerns should not stop efforts to retain foreign-born researchers.

videocam
10
Science

China-born architect Wang Fei dies in suspected car crash in London

Tributes to the ‘distinguished architectural educator, scholar and curator’ from Syracuse University say he was killed on Monday.

videocam
6
The China Academy of Art has confirmed that Wang Fei, who taught at Syracuse University in New York state, died on Monday. He was 45. Photo: Handout
Science

Chinese team reports way to extract hypersonic weapon fuel boron from seawater

Inspired by ‘novel sustainable technology’ research, the team designs a single, powerful system using solar energy for extraction.

videocam
31
Scramjet engines are among the technologies requiring boron. Chinese scientists say they have developed a method to extract boron from seawater. Photo: Getty Images
Science

Russia academy breaks up with China naval institute chief scientist under probe

Chinese headquarters of Russian Academy of Engineering says it is taking note of case against Guo Wei, who is accused of ‘faked’ credentials.

videocam
Science

As I see it | Not all genetic questions about race are racist

Without denying the offensive remarks of James Watson, co-discoverer of the DNA structure, some of his speculation on race does have merit.

5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement