As 2025 draws to a close, let's explore the five science breakthroughs from the Chinese mainland that captured global attention this year.
1. Next-Generation Semiconductor Breakthrough
Scientists from the Chinese mainland developed a new method to mass-produce high-quality indium selenide, a 'golden semiconductor', by precisely controlling a 1:1 atomic ratio between indium and selenium. This novel solid-liquid-solid growth technique overcomes a long-standing barrier in 2D semiconductor manufacturing, paving the way for chips that outperform today's silicon-based models.
2. Engineering Deserts into Green Zones
In June, a barrier belt along the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was completed, transforming vast tracts of sand into checkerboard grids of grass and shrubs that only thrive during the summer rains. Simultaneously, a 3,000 km ecological barrier across the Taklimakan Desert in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region now combines solar panels with crop plantations, earning a spot on the 2025 Top 10 Global Engineering Achievements list by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.
3. Humanoid Robots Take the Stage
January saw 16 humanoid robots from mainland-based Unitree perform at the Spring Festival Gala, tossing and catching handkerchiefs with human-like finesse. Later, the first-ever humanoid robot half marathon and the inaugural Humanoid Robot Games moved these machines from the lab into real-world arenas, hinting at robots becoming part of daily life.
4. A Natural Blocker of Cancer Growth
Researchers identified silybin, a compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, as a promising agent against liver cancer cells. In preclinical trials, silybin disrupted tumor metabolism and slowed cell growth, illustrating how ancient remedies and modern molecular biology can intersect for future drug development.
5. Ghost Particle Detector Confirms Physics Mystery
The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory delivered its first major result by confirming the solar neutrino tension, a key puzzle in particle physics. Operational for only months, the detector proved its world-class accuracy. Next year, sea trials for 'Hailing', a deep-sea neutrino detector, will conclude, bringing ocean-floor cosmic observation online.
From Earth's ecosystems to the far reaches of the cosmos, these breakthroughs highlight the Chinese mainland's role at the forefront of science in 2025.
Which field do you hope will see the next major breakthrough? Share your science-inspired New Year's resolutions in the comments below.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
