China has officially launched the world's largest-capacity hyper-gravity centrifuge simulator, marking a major leap in its ability to conduct advanced research on infrastructure and energy mega projects.
The centrifuge, newly inaugurated on Sept 29 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, is designed to recreate and test extreme geological and engineering conditions that cannot be easily replicated in real life.
With enhanced stability and expanded loading capacity, the facility will soon be equipped with a range of specialized experimental instruments to carry out a series of advanced scientific verifications.
"Many of our super engineering projects cannot be tested under normal conditions on Earth. That's why we use the 'scale-reduction' and 'time-reduction' effects of super-gravity experiments - to miniaturize models and test them on the centrifuge. For example, we can use a one-meter model to replicate the response of a 100-meter-deep foundation and side slope [during an earthquake]. In another experiment, one day of testing can simulate the foundation's response to 300,000 high-speed train runs. This way, we can determine whether the houses we live in or the high-speed railways we ride are truly safe and stable. The extraction of natural gas hydrate, or combustible ice, in the South China Sea can also be miniaturized onto a centrifuge-mounted device. Perhaps in the near future, the natural gas we use at home will come from these South China Sea resources," said Zhao Yu, professor at Zhejiang University and head of a hyper-gravity field operation team.
Experts say the new centrifuge will play a vital role in simulating and evaluating the safety, stability, and environmental impact of large-scale engineering projects, from deep-sea exploration and tunnel construction to aerospace and energy development.
It is expected to serve as a world-class research platform for China and international partners alike.
China launches world’s largest hyper-gravity centrifuge for infrastructure research
China's push toward a greener future is once again in the spotlight at this year's annual political "two sessions", as lawmakers are reviewing a draft ecological environment code, a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework for ecological protection.
The draft code was submitted on March 5 to the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the Civil Code, which was adopted in 2020.
The rule of law has been continuously strengthened to support the country's green progress. China already has more than 30 laws related to environmental protection, along with over 100 sets of administrative regulations and more than 1,000 sets of local rules.
The latest legislative move comes amid China's historic gains in ecological conservation over the past decade or so. Championing green development, the country has recorded the world's fastest growth in forest resources and afforestation, led globally in renewable energy development, and achieved one of the fastest national reductions in energy intensity worldwide.
The 1,242-article draft has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.
Scholars involved in drafting the legislation say the code goes beyond broad legal principles. It is also designed to address environmental issues that affect people's daily lives.
"Electric vehicles are becoming very common in China. My family has one. We all think it environment-friendly. But have you ever thought about this question: how do we deal with the first generation of EV batteries after they expire a few years later? The same goes for wind turbine blades and solar panels," said Ding Lin, assistant professor of the Renmin University of China.
China's environmental progress has drawn global attention in recent years, from improving air quality to expanding renewable energy. Yet amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, some observers have questioned whether the country will maintain the same pace of green transition.
"Last year during the COP30, even some friends who are very familiar with China asked me whether China will continue its green development path. I told them we have gradually worked out new policies. We have a very clear direction and goal. In a world full of uncertainties, we are providing the most certainty," said Wang Yi, an NPC deputy from east China's Zhejiang Province and professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In a country pursuing modernization, taking the time to codify environmental laws sends a clear message: economic growth and environmental protection are not a trade-off to be managed, but a commitment to be upheld. For China, a beautiful environment is not a luxury for the future, it is a right for the present, and a responsibility to the next generation.
"This code reflects China's vision of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It shows how development and environmental protection can move forward together," said Lyu Zhongmei, vice chair of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.
China will accelerate the green transition across the board and cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the GDP by a total of 17 percent in the 2026-2030 period, according to a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development submitted to the NPC for deliberation on March 5.
Chinese lawmakers review draft ecological environment code in major green legislative push
