As China prepares to kick off its 15th Five-Year Plan in January 2026, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee convened on December 8 to outline economic and technological priorities for 2026, placing fusion research at the forefront of science and technology goals.
Accelerating the ‘Artificial Sun’
Duan Xuru, chief scientist at China National Nuclear Corporation, says that recent breakthroughs in the Chinese mainland’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) are propelling fusion closer to commercialization. “We’ve achieved record-high plasma temperatures and extended stable operations,” Duan said, highlighting experiments that reached temperatures over 100 million degrees Celsius for sustained periods.
Path to Commercial Power
Under new policy guidelines released this month, research teams will focus on:
- Scaling up reactor size and improving superconducting magnets
- Developing materials to withstand intense heat and radiation
- Strengthening international collaboration and data sharing
If all goes according to plan, China could launch a demonstration fusion power plant by the late 2030s, with commercial facilities following in the 2040s. This timeline aligns with global efforts, such as Europe’s ITER project and private ventures in the United States.
Why It Matters
Fusion energy promises a nearly limitless, carbon-free power source. For young entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts, China’s push signals new opportunities in clean energy, materials science and high-field magnets. Thought leaders see fusion as a game-changer for climate goals, while digital nomads watch how new energy hubs could reshape global power networks.
As the 15th Five-Year Plan gets under way, the race to harness the power of the sun on Earth has never been more intense. China’s artificial sun could light the way to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
