China's brain-computer interface tech makes progress in clinical applications

China is making strides in developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, marked by new progress in clinical applications.

BCI technology enable interaction between biological and machine intelligence by building information channels between the human brain and machines. The Chinese government sees it as a priority in the country's push to develop high-tech industries and has unveiled a roadmap to achieving breakthroughs in the BCI industry by 2027.

At Beijing Tiantan Hospital, which launched the country's first Brain-Computer Interface Clinical and Translational Ward earlier this year, the first patient has recently seen improvement in his condition since his treatment began.

The 50-year-old male patient used to work as a truck driver. A cerebral hemorrhage two years ago left him paralyzed on the left side of his body.

In June, he underwent a "Beinao-1" BCI procedure at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, during which doctors implanted a semi-transparent flexible electrode beneath his skull and against the dura mater surface, enabling real-time transmission of neural signals from the cerebral cortex to external decoding devices. The "Beinao-1" is semi-invasive, fully implantable wireless BCI system developed by the Chinese Institute for Brain Research and NeuCyber NeuroTech.

"Preoperative functional MRI is used to locate the target area. We place the flexible electrode epidurally over the motor cortex and continuously verify during surgery that we are receiving clear neural signals. Only then can we ensure the success of postoperative signal acquisition, decoding, and limb motor control," said Cao Yong, executive deputy director of the Neurosurgical Center at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.

During postoperative training, whenever the patient moves his limbs, the system captures the neural signals, which are decoded by algorithms to drive external devices and assist rehabilitation. After a few months, the patient's upper limb mobility showed significant improvement.

"BCI is no ordinary clinical work as it involves computational science, computing, bioscience, and clinical practice. It is a multidisciplinary collaboration. For example, we work with the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and chip companies across different institutions. By establishing this ward, Beijing Tiantan Hospital has created a platform that integrates expertise in technology, computing, electrophysiology, and clinical imaging, connecting the entire chain of BCI clinical trials and accelerating progress in the field," explained Zhao Jizong, a neurosurgeon and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

China's brain-computer interface tech makes progress in clinical applications

An official of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has condemned Israel for demolishing the buildings within the UN agency's East Jerusalem compound.

Israeli authorities stormed the Sheikh Jarrah compound of UNRWA last week. After a full day of demolition, all buildings inside the compound had been flattened or severely damaged. Israeli flags were seen raised at the site, while the United Nations (UN) flag had been taken down.

Olaf Becker, director of UNRWA affairs in Jordan, said the Israeli action gravely violates international law and poses challenges to the operations of UN agencies.

Expressing his deep concerns over Israel's unilateral action, Becker said UNRWA will continue its work in the region and make every effort to ensure that basic public services for Palestinian refugees are not interrupted.

"It's obviously in contravention to international law. It's in contravention to Israel's obligations under the UN Charter as well. While Sheikh Jarrah is highly symbolic, and of course it really impedes our ability for our leadership to operate and coordinate activities. We have offices around the West Bank as well, and we are still operational in those places," Becker said.

Following the demolition, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the compound "does not enjoy any immunity", and that the action complied with the law.

In response, Becker said Israel's denial of the privileges and immunity of UN agencies would directly undermine the legal foundation of the UN system, warning long-term impacts on UN agencies' ability to independently and effectively fulfill their duties within the framework of international law in the Middle East and globally, and worrying consequences for the UN and the multilateral system.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its capital, a claim not recognized internationally, while the UN regards East Jerusalem as occupied territory. Israeli officials have long accused UNRWA of employing Hamas members, which the agency denies.

In October 2024, the Israeli parliament passed a law banning UNRWA, which provides desperately-needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and other areas, from operating in areas under Israeli jurisdiction, and prohibiting Israeli authorities from maintaining contact or cooperation with the agency, a move UNRWA and international bodies say violates international law. Israel then amended the law in December 2025 to ban electricity or water to UNRWA facilities.

Last month, Israeli authorities seized UNRWA's offices in East Jerusalem.

UNRWA official condemns Israeli demolition of agency’s buildings in East Jerusalem