On 20 January 2025, China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often referred to as the “artificial sun”, set a new world record in Hefei, Anhui Province. For the first time, EAST achieved a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius and maintained it in a high-quality burning state for 1,000 seconds. This milestone represents a significant leap in China’s fusion research from basic science to practical engineering applications.  

EAST integrates cutting-edge technologies, including ultra-high temperature, ultra-low temperature, ultra-high vacuum, ultra-strong magnetic fields and ultra-high current. With nearly 2,000 patents and nearly a million components working in harmony, EAST has conducted more than 150,000 experiments over the past decade. These efforts have culminated in the successful operation of the long-pulse, high-confinement mode plasma, which achieved the unprecedented feat of 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,000 seconds.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)