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Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
China's huge step in space that could have chilling impact if war breaks out
A tense space race is currently underway between NASA and China - with China now taking the lead in a move that could see it become able to disrupt the satellites' of other nations while in space China has taken one huge step in its space mission which could have a chilling impact here on Earth, and allow China to completely shut down communications and other vital infrastructure in a conflict scenario. Two of its satellites, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, appear to have docked together in the country's first attempt to refuel a satellite in orbit. The satellites performed the manoeuvre more than 20,000 miles above the Earth while in geosynchronous orbit - which matches the pace of the rotation of the planet. There haven't been any updates from Beijing on the move, but civilian satellite trackers show them closing in on each other until they merge in to one. According to Ars Technica, the two satellites docking in geosynchronous orbit could show China now has the technology to disable a satellite belonging to another country while in space. If another country's satellites were to be disabled in conflict, it could cause mass disruption - impacting everything from communication to navigation, weather forecasting and could even cause certain industries to shut down. The US Space Force is reportedly not far behind in its own research into orbital refueling. This is due to military satellites often having limited supplies. Next summer, the military wing of America's space exploration industry expects to perform its first refueling of a military asset. After the Chinese satellites docked, two of the Space Force's inspector satellites were seen moving towards them. Military and commercial satellites often choose geosynchronous orbit - which is at an altitude of around 22,236 miles - because it gives them a fixed view of a planet. It helps military forces detect early warnings of missile attacks. In April, China successfully launched three astronauts into space on a mission to re-staff its in-orbit space station. Staff who work at the launch site as well as some of their families and other members of the public gathered in organised lines to watch the rocket take-off. The launch of China's Shenzhou-20 was seen as a ramping up of a tense space race between NASA and China to create bases on the moon, and from there, lift off to Mars. The far side of the moon is an increasingly popular destination. Images show the three astronauts - or taikonauts as they are called in China - waving to adoring crowds and onlookers at the aunch event. The Shenzhou 20 mission's astronauts are Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, Lin Xiqiang, deputy director general of China Manned Space Agency, said. They were replacing three astronauts on the Chinese space station. The launch took place from Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, in northwestern China. Like those before them, they will stay there for roughly six months. The three-person crew were sent in October last year and have been in space for 175 days, said Lin.
Business Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Chinese money fires up Hong Kong shares
[SHANGHAI/HONG KONG] Chinese investors are piling into Hong Kong shares lured by lower valuations and the city's strategic position in China's growing rivalry with the United States. A record US$90 billion of cash from the mainland has driven a stellar 21 per cent rally in Hong Kong stocks in the first half of 2025, reshaping the landscape of a market foreign investors have avoided for several years. 'The Hong Kong stock market is being repriced by mainland money,' said Chen Dong, fund manager at Hangzhou Ultraviolet Private Fund. Chinese money 'is gushing in from various directions in a gold rush,' he said. In stark contrast, China's benchmark CSI 300 has barely moved. Disillusioned with the languid market, low returns and a stuttering domestic economy, domestic investors have shifted money from onshore A-shares to Hong Kong-listed equities, where stocks typically trade at a discount. Hong Kong's H-share market has gained from robust flows via the cross-border link Stock Connect, a bumper string of initial public offerings (IPOs) and global investors diversifying away from a weakening US dollar. For 40-year-old Chinese investor Zhu Haifeng, Hong Kong equities now account for 80 per cent of his portfolio. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up For a dual-listed company, 'you certainly want to pay less for the same assets', said Zhu, who bought Hong Kong-listed shares of Tsingtao Brewery and Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical – both trading at a sharp discount to their Shanghai-traded counterparts. Mainland investors via Stock Connect now contribute to 50 per cent of Hong Kong's daily stock turnover, up from around 30 per cent at the beginning of 2024, Societe Generale estimates. Institutional money is gushing in too, causing the gap in dual-listed stocks to compress, although China's capital controls ensure some variance remains. The average premium of China's A-shares over Hong Kong's H-shares – traditionally high due to bigger volumes and activity in China – has narrowed to a five-year low of under 30 per cent. Rally has legs The tighter spreads potentially reduce the incentives for mainland investors to buy H-shares, but analysts expect Hong Kong's bull run to continue. US President Donald Trump's erratic policies, fresh US rate cuts and bets on China's technological innovations will drive more money into the former British colony. High-dividend bank shares in Hong Kong have attracted yield-focused investors such as Ping An Insurance and China Life, as long-term treasury yields flirt with record lows. The dividend yield of an index tracking Hong Kong-listed Chinese companies stands at 3.7 per cent, higher than the 2.9 per cent ratio for Chinese benchmark CSI 300, according to LSEG data. That compares with China's 10-year bond yield of 1.65 per cent. Hong Kong has evolved into a proxy of 'national champions', Linda Lam, head of equity advisory for North Asia at UBP said, referring to Hong Kong's tech-heavy listings. In comparison, mainland A-shares have a lot more macro-sensitive sectors, weighing on investor sentiment, she said. Goldman Sachs this month published a list of 10 'prominent' Chinese companies with 'buy' recommendations, most of which are not listed on the mainland. They include Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Group and Xiaomi – companies invested in artificial intelligence and holding sway in China's tech war with the United States. Guo Changzhen, a retail investor based in China's central Henan province, started buying Hong Kong's high-dividend shares late last year. 'Chinese bond yields are low, deposit rates are low, so where else do you put money without too much risk-taking,' said Guo, who owns Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong but not at home. Wang Yi, chief investment officer of CSOP Asset Management, said he remains bullish on Hong Kong stocks. 'We have seen more global investors turning their attention back to the market,' he said. REUTERS
Borneo Post
17-06-2025
- Science
- Borneo Post
What the Shenzhou-20 astronauts are doing after over 50 days in space
This video screenshot taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on May 22, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronaut Chen Dong leaving China's orbiting space station for extravehicular activities. (Xinhua/Li Yanchen) BEIJING (June 18): Imagine living and working hundreds of miles above Earth for over 50 days. This sci-fi scene has been a reality for China's Shenzhou-20 crew — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — aboard the Tiangong Space Station. Far from a quiet getaway, a short video released by China's state television broadcaster CCTV on Monday showed their 'space business trip,' which is packed with vital scientific work, health checks, and station upkeep, all of which are crucial for future space exploration. The astronaut trio are in good condition and the multi-disciplinary space science experiments are advancing smoothly, according to the CCTV report. The crew, commanded by veteran astronaut Chen Dong, was launched into orbit on April 24 for a six-month mission. Over the past week, they devoted substantial time to space medicine research. During their research, they have explored fundamental aspects of cognitive function in microgravity, focusing on teamwork dynamics, self-awareness in isolation and how astronauts perceive motion, depth, and relationships absent Earth's gravity. These studies are critical for ensuring safe operations during spacewalks and complex tasks. In addition, they also conducted routine vascular ultrasound scans tracked changes in cardiovascular function over time and used apparatus to capture subtle changes in control and coordination during precise tasks like equipment operation or sample handling, according to the report. On the front of life science, they focused on the 'effects and mechanisms of space microgravity on microorganisms' experiment. The video showed that in Tiangong's specialized biotechnology experiment rack, the crew observed the growth, developmental patterns, and bioactive compound synthesis of Streptomyces bacteria in weightlessness. This research is expected to reveal new biological adaptations and potential applications for space-based pharmaceutical research. The crew carefully sampled liquid cultures, preserving the samples for their eventual journey back to Earth. Another highlight of their daily routine, in addition to the meticulous space station upkeep, is their rigorous exercise to counter the physical toll of microgravity. The video captures the astronauts running on a treadmill in the space module. Beyond exercise, the crew undergoes regular checkups like detailed heart monitoring and blood pressure tracking. They also participate in unique health assessments based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, according to the report. China's space station has now hosted over 200 scientific projects, with nearly 2 tonnes of scientific materials and applied equipment sent to orbit and nearly 100 experimental samples returned to Earth, according to the China Manned Space Agency. – Xinhua astronaut China space space station
RTHK
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space
Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space In their video greeting, Chinese astronauts - from left - Wang Jie, Chen Dong, and Chen Zhongrui - reflected on their childhood aspirations as Young Pioneers. Photo: CCTV The Shenzhou-20 crew on board China's orbiting space station on Wednesday extended greetings to children in celebration of the upcoming International Children's Day on June 1. The crew, made up of Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, reflected on their childhood aspirations as Young Pioneers to contribute to China's space exploration. They expressed hope that today's youth would actively play a role in the nation's progress. The Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP) is a national organisation for Chinese children. "I still remember the first time I put on the [young pioneer's] red scarf. It was then that I made a silent vow to become someone who could contribute to society. That childhood dream has guided me through my journey in the aerospace field, and it's what has brought me to space today," said Chen Dong. "Back when I was a young pioneer, I was fascinated by the blue sky and curious about what was beyond Earth. When China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-5, was launched, I was thrilled, and it strengthened my determination. Today, I've finally realised my dream and am able to work aboard China's space station," said Chen Zhongrui. "I have been remembering clearly the first line of the CYP anthem: 'We are the successors of communism.' This song has inspired generations of young pioneers to honour the legacy of our revolutionary predecessors, following in their footsteps with courage and striving toward our ideals. "When I sang this as a child, it always filled me with a sense of strength. Today, I'm proud to be an astronaut, contributing to our country's space endeavours. In the future, I hope you, the younger generation, will carry the baton and help China's space exploration to take steadier and farther steps," said Wang Jie. "This time, we brought the CYP flag to China's space station.... We believe you will take up the baton of history, starting by learning from the pioneers and growing into true pioneers, with the ambition to serve and strengthen our nation, and to be resolute and responsible strivers." Chen Dong added. The crew declared a "happy Children's Day to all the children" as they waved a Chinese Young Pioneers flag. The Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft was successfully launched on April 24, 2025. (CCTV)
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese astronauts add debris shields to Tiangong space station during 8-hour spacewalk (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A pair of taikonauts have completed their first spacewalk aboard China's Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Two Shenzhou-20 crewmembers performed the mission's first extravehicular activity (EVA) on Thursday (May 22). The duo worked outside the Chinese low-Earth orbit laboratory for eight hours, wrapping up at 4:49 a.m. EDT (0849 GMT; 4:49 p.m. local time in Beijing). Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui served as the EVA's assigned spacewalkers, while their crewmate Wang Jie assisted from inside Tiangong with mission operators coordinating on Earth. Dong and Zhongrui exited the space station through the node cabin of the Tianhe module, marking the first time that airlock has been used for an EVA since Tiangong became operational. This was the 19th time taikonauts aboard Tiangong have conducted an EVA; many of these spacewalks have focused on installing debris shields to the station's exterior. With assistance from the station's robotic arm, Dong and Zhongrui successfully positioned a protective sheet on a designated exterior location on Tiangong. The pair also performed routine station maintenance and equipment inspections. RELATED STORIES: — 1,000 days in space! Core module of China's Tiangong space station hits milestone — China launches Shenzhou 20 astronauts to Tiangong space station (video) — Spacewalks: How they work and major milestones The Shenzhou-20 crew arrived at Tiangong on April 24, and are just about one month into their six-month-long mission. The trio replaced China's Shenzhou-19 astronauts, who returned to Earth on April 30. China has at least one more crewed mission planned for 2025. Shenzhou-21 is expected to launch sometime this fall. The Tiangong space station was completed in 2022 and has a continual occupancy planned for at least the next decade. The station presently consists of three main modules, but allows for China to launch more should they wish to expand the orbiting lab.
