On January 26, 2026, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE)—collectively known as China's 'two academies'—unveiled their highly anticipated annual lists of the top 10 scientific and technological progresses for China and the world in 2025. This 32nd edition of the selection process involved voting by hundreds of academicians, spotlighting breakthroughs that not only advanced fundamental science but also promised practical applications in energy, medicine, computing, and beyond. What stands out this year is the prominent role of Chinese universities, with institutions like the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Peking University (PKU), and Fudan University leading several entries. These achievements underscore China's rising dominance in global research, particularly in higher education-driven innovation.
China's Top 10 Scientific Progresses: A Fusion of Academic Excellence
The domestic list reflects a strategic push toward self-reliance in critical technologies, with five entries directly tied to university teams. From sustaining million-degree plasmas to pioneering AI models, these milestones were published in elite journals like Nature and Science, amplifying their global impact.
Nuclear Fusion Milestone: EAST's 'Billion Degrees for Thousands of Seconds'
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often dubbed China's 'artificial sun,' achieved a world record by maintaining a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,066 seconds—equivalent to 'billion degrees for thousands of seconds.' Located at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under CAS, this feat marks a leap from basic research to engineering viability in controlled nuclear fusion. Fusion works by fusing light atomic nuclei, like deuterium and tritium, to release vast energy without long-lived radioactive waste, unlike fission reactors. The process involves confining superhot plasma with magnetic fields in a doughnut-shaped tokamak. EAST's success, built on nearly 2,000 patents and 150,000 experiments, paves the way for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and commercial fusion power. This breakthrough highlights collaborative efforts between CAS institutes and universities, training next-generation researchers.
DeepSeek R1: China's Open-Source AI Challenger
DeepSeek, a domestic AI firm founded just over a year prior, released its R1 large language model, rivaling OpenAI's o1 in performance while slashing training costs through innovative architectures. Unlike proprietary black-box models, R1 is fully open-source, enabling global developers to build upon it. This progress democratizes AI, fostering applications in natural language processing, code generation, and scientific simulations. Experts note its efficiency stems from optimized transformer designs and reinforcement learning techniques, where models iteratively improve via self-play. For higher education, DeepSeek's rise signals opportunities in AI research jobs, with universities integrating such tools into curricula.
Thorium Molten Salt Reactor: Safer Nuclear Future
CAS's Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics constructed the world's first 2MWt liquid-fuel thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor, achieving thorium-uranium fuel conversion. Thorium, abundant in China, offers advantages over uranium: molten salt reactors operate at atmospheric pressure, reducing meltdown risks, and produce less waste. The reactor melts thorium salts at high temperatures, breeding fissile uranium-233 in situ. This data-rich milestone positions China as a leader in Generation IV nuclear tech, with implications for energy security and exports. University collaborations provided key simulations and materials science inputs.
AI-Powered Liver Cancer Prediction on Nature Cover
USTC's Sun Cheng team developed the TIMES system, an AI tool predicting hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence with 82.2% accuracy via spatial immuno-scoring of tumors. Published on Nature's cover—the first for computational tumor immunology—it analyzes biopsy images and genomics to guide post-surgical therapies. The model integrates convolutional neural networks with pathology data, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional markers. Freely available globally, it could save millions of lives in high-prevalence regions like China. This exemplifies how university-led AI is revolutionizing precision medicine.Explore research assistant jobs in computational biology.
North Brain 1: Wireless Brain-Computer Interface Implant
The Beijing Institute for Brain Science and Class Brain Research debuted 'North Brain 1,' the world's first fully wireless, implantable Chinese-language BCI. Implanted in ALS patients, it decodes thoughts into speech at natural speeds, restoring communication. The system uses flexible electrodes to record neural signals, processed by on-chip AI for real-time translation. Patients reported emotional expression, a leap beyond rigid text output. University neuroscientists contributed electrode designs, bridging neuroscience and engineering.
These medical advances highlight interdisciplinary higher education programs. For career advice, visit how to write a winning academic CV.
Parkinson's Breakthrough: Novel Gene Target and Drug Candidate
Fudan University's Yujin Tai, Yuan Peng teams, with CAS collaborators, identified FAM171A2 as a Parkinson’s driver gene 'from 0 to 1,' screening lead therapeutic compounds. Parkinson's affects dopamine neurons; FAM171A2 disrupts protein trafficking, accelerating degeneration. Using CRISPR screens and patient iPS cells, they validated the target and hit compounds reducing toxicity in models. Published in top journals, this opens new therapeutic avenues beyond levodopa.
Zuchongzhi 3: Quantum Supremacy Scaled Up
USTC's Pan Jianwei, Zhu Xiaobo, Peng Chengzhi unveiled Zuchongzhi 3, a 105-qubit superconducting quantum processor sampling random circuits a quadrillion times faster than supercomputers. Quantum bits (qubits) enable parallel computations via superposition and entanglement. Scalable to fault-tolerant regimes, it advances error-corrected quantum computing. USTC's decade-long program has produced multiple generations, training PhDs now in global labs. Quantum research positions are booming—check postdoc opportunities.
Zero-Carbon Hydrogen: PKU's Clean Energy Catalyst
Peking University's Martin team engineered catalysts for zero-CO2 electrolysis, producing hydrogen at high rates using rare-earth modifications. Conventional electrolysis splits water but emits CO2 in impure setups; their design captures and converts byproducts. Dual papers in Nature and Science detail the mechanism: optimized active sites boost kinetics. Vital for green hydrogen economy, supporting China's carbon neutrality by 2060.
Black Soil Protection: Safeguarding Food Security
The 'Black Soil Granary' initiative, involving 90+ units, mapped Northeast China's black soils at 10m resolution, deploying erosion controls and smart breeding. Black soils, fertile but eroding, underpin 25% of grain output. Sky-ground monitoring integrates satellites, drones, and AI for precision agriculture, boosting yields sustainably.
6G Optoelectronics: PKU-CityU Fusion
PKU and City University of Hong Kong developed a broadband photonic integrated system for 6G, tunable across frequencies to dodge interference. Integrating lasers, modulators, and antennas on chips, it supports terahertz data rates. Published in Nature, it future-proofs wireless networks for holography and VR.Learn more from CAS
World Top 10: Global Context and Chinese Echoes
The international list features cosmic wonders and AI feats: largest universe map; emotional BCI speech; electro-photonic-quantum chips; massive black hole merger; record neutrino; visible time crystal (periodic structures defying equilibrium); pig organ transplants; ancient cosmic signals; mega brain map; DeepMind's IMO-gold AI. China mirrors many, like BCIs and quantum chips, showing parity in frontiers.
Implications for Chinese Higher Education and Research
Universities drove half of China's list, with USTC (two entries), PKU (two), and Fudan exemplifying talent pipelines. These successes attract international collaborations and funding, but challenges like brain drain persist. Policies emphasize 'double first-class' universities, boosting China academic jobs. Stakeholders—from students to policymakers—see enhanced global rankings and innovation ecosystems.
- Increased PhD/postdoc positions in fusion, quantum, AI.
- Interdisciplinary programs blending engineering, biology.
- International exchanges via Belt and Road initiatives.
Future Outlook: Toward 2030 Milestones
2025's highlights forecast fusion demos by 2035, practical quantum computers, and AI-driven drug discovery. Chinese universities, with state support, aim for Nobel-level impacts. Researchers eye scalable BCIs, thorium power plants, and 6G rollout. For aspiring academics, platforms like Rate My Professor, Higher Ed Jobs, and Career Advice offer guidance. Stay ahead in China's research boom—browse university jobs or post a job.
This annual reveal not only celebrates progress but inspires the next generation of scientists in higher education.CAS English site
