Six domestically developed steel cables for the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), known as China's "Sky Eye" based in southwest China's mountainous Guizhou Province, have been replaced recently and have passed the experts' appraisal for technical acceptance.
The upgrade began in early May. Upon completion of the replacement project, FAST now has officially resumed its observations.
Since its commissioning in 2016, FAST had been using imported steel cables for the feed cabin, which were replaced once in 2021. However, the impurities gradually seeping out from the imported steel cables were affecting the normal operation of the telescope.
Therefore, the team decided to develop and use domestic steel cables, in order to achieve better stability and operation maintenance. They have finally made a breakthrough after more than a thousand days of research and development.
"We have completed an entire chain-based research and development process from the material making, manufacturing process to the entire performance test of the steel cables. All the indicators have met our requirements," said Yao Rui, director of the measurement and control engineering department at the FAST operation and development center.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official entry into operation of FAST. Over the past 10 years, it has discovered more than 1,200 pulsars, far exceeding the combined discovery number of other similar telescopes during the same period. It has provided crucial technical support for the development of China's radio astronomy.
China's FAST telescope completes overhaul with domestic steel cables
The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) concluded in Beijing on Friday, with stronger exhibitor commitment for next year's event highlighted on its final day, underscoring growing confidence in the platform for international industrial cooperation.
A total of 115 Chinese and overseas companies and organizations have signed letters of intent to participate in the fifth CISCE, 10 more than the same stage last year.
The early commitments reflected exhibitors' confidence in the expo, which participants said has become an increasingly important platform for business cooperation amid a more uncertain global environment. "Given the importance [of trade between China and Mexico], we will certainly continue to participate in the fifth CISCE next year to create more business cooperation opportunities for our member companies," said Lu Hai, director of Public Affairs with the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in China (MEXCHAM).
The participants also said the expo's significance extends beyond commercial transactions, serving as a venue for dialog and long-term industrial collaboration.
"I think the greatest value of the CISCE does not lie in how many contracts are signed or agreements reached. Rather, it provides a platform for participants to exchange experience, share views on the future, and strengthen our resolve for openness, cooperation, and win-win outcomes," said Wang Kai, director of Industrial Research Center under the CNOOC Energy Economics Institute.
Organizers say the expo is evolving beyond a traditional exhibition into a year-round platform for industrial collaboration.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the organizer of the expo, established an exhibitors' alliance last year to facilitate regular business matchmaking, policy briefings and industry exchanges, encouraging companies to build long-term supply chain partnerships rather than short-term exhibition deals.
Held in Beijing from Monday to Friday, this year's expo brought together more than 1,200 exhibitors from 85 countries, regions and international organizations, with overseas exhibitors accounting for more than 36 percent of the total.
More than 160 new products, technologies and solutions made their debut during the five-day event, alongside over 60 business exchange activities.
China supply chain expo wraps up with strong exhibitor commitment for next edition
