Latest news with #Heilongjiang
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Lunar lava tubes on Earth? China completes underground moon simulation test area (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. China has taken a new step in its long-term planning for lunar exploration with the completion of a "simulated moon underground space." Researchers have established a practice area in a volcanic lava cave in a forest region near Jingbo Lake in Mudanjiang City, located in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. The move is in response to research suggesting that lava tube systems are present on the moon and Mars and could provide shielding from those worlds' harsh radiation environments. "The underground volcanic lava pipes by the Jingbo Lake are the most similar environment on Earth to the underground space of the moon. I hope our forward-looking research can serve China's lunar exploration program," Li Jiaqi, a researcher at Peking University, told China Central Television (CCTV). Experimental robots are already being used to test conducting autonomous exploration and multi-functional operations in the simulated lunar environment. Related Stories: — Hopping robot will hunt for moon water on China's Chang'e 7 lunar mission in 2026 — China returns samples from the moon's far side in historic 1st (video) — The moon: Everything you need to know about Earth's companion "Compared with traditional lunar roving vehicles and exploration robots, it has stronger environmental adaptability and flexibility," said Li Xianglong, a doctoral student from the Harbin Institute of Technology. "When exploring the underground space of the moon for the future, it can possess more precise perception, decision-making and operation capabilities." Students also set up seismometers in the area to serve as a reference for future lunar experiments. China's Chang'e 7 mission to the lunar south pole, set to launch sometime in 2026, will carry a seismograph to study the moon's interior and detect moonquakes, caused by tidal forces from Earth, and temperature changes affecting the lunar surface. China plans to establish an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the 2030s. Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's kindergartens grapple with economic impact of plunge in prospective pupils
The government-affiliated kindergarten that Lily Wang works for in northeastern China used to be reserved for the children of officials, but China's plunging birth rate means it is having to cast its net wider nowadays. 'The leadership has shifted its approach, enlarging the enrolment base and learning from the southern regions by adopting group-based management,' said Wang, a senior teacher at the kindergarten in Harbin, Heilongjiang's provincial capital. It began recruiting pupils from the general populace in autumn last year. While it still gives priority to officials' children when reviewing applications, Wang said it felt as though even more pupils came from other backgrounds this year. With fewer children being born in China, the country's kindergartens are struggling to find a path to survival. Solutions range from enrolling pupils from a wider range of backgrounds to offering other services that make use of teachers' skills. China's population fell for the first time in 60 years in 2022 , with 9.56 million babies born that year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The number of births fell further in 2023 before rebounding slightly last year – due in part to the Year of the Dragon being regarded as auspicious. There were 253,300 kindergartens operating in China last year, down about 38,400 – or just over 13 per cent – from 2020. The number of children enrolled in them, which peaked at 48.18 million in 2020, was down 25.5 per cent at 35.84 million.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's kindergartens grapple with economic impact of plunge in prospective pupils
The government-affiliated kindergarten that Lily Wang works for in northeastern China used to be reserved for the children of officials, but China's plunging birth rate means it is having to cast its net wider nowadays. 'The leadership has shifted its approach, enlarging the enrolment base and learning from the southern regions by adopting group-based management,' said Wang, a senior teacher at the kindergarten in Harbin, Heilongjiang's provincial capital. It began recruiting pupils from the general populace in autumn last year. While it still gives priority to officials' children when reviewing applications, Wang said it felt as though even more pupils came from other backgrounds this year. With fewer children being born in China, the country's kindergartens are struggling to find a path to survival. Solutions range from enrolling pupils from a wider range of backgrounds to offering other services that make use of teachers' skills. China's population fell for the first time in 60 years in 2022 , with 9.56 million babies born that year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The number of births fell further in 2023 before rebounding slightly last year – due in part to the Year of the Dragon being regarded as auspicious. There were 253,300 kindergartens operating in China last year, down about 38,400 – or just over 13 per cent – from 2020. The number of children enrolled in them, which peaked at 48.18 million in 2020, was down 25.5 per cent at 35.84 million.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China discovers 38 new mineral deposits this year
BEIJING -- China reported a surge in mineral discoveries in the first half of 2025, identifying 38 new deposits—up 31 percent year-on-year—including 25 classified as large or medium-sized, the Ministry of Natural Resources said on Thursday. The ministry also highlighted major breakthroughs in the exploration of important mineral resources. Among the most significant finds was China's first super-large uranium deposit, located in Heilongjiang province in the northeast, according to China Daily. In Xinglong county, North China's Hebei province, newly added rubidium resources amounted to 3.37 million metric tonnes, achieving a super-large scale and strengthening China's dominant position in rubidium ore. In Longhua county, also in Hebei, the newly added cobalt resources reached 27,000 tonnes, reaching a large scale. Songtao county in Southwest China's Guizhou province saw the addition of manganese resources totalling 22.85 million tonnes, reaching a large scale. In Tekes county, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the newly added gold resources amounted to 81 tonnes, with a cumulative find approaching 100 tonnes, representing a major breakthrough on a super-large scale. The ministry said most mineral exploration targets under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) have already been achieved ahead of schedule. In addition, the national non-oil and gas mineral exploration investment reached 7 billion yuan ($975 million), a year-on-year increase of 23.9 percent, it said. It highlighted a growing enthusiasm among enterprises to engage in mineral exploration. Social funds invested 3.6 billion yuan, marking an almost 30 percent year-on-year increase and constituting nearly half of the country's total investment. Central and local financial funds combined reached 3.6 billion yuan, reflecting a 20 percent year-on-year increase. In terms of mineral types, exploration investments have surged in minerals such as tin, tungsten, copper and phosphate ores, as well as bauxite, showing year-on-year increases of over 50 percent. Exploration investments in coal, lead-zinc, molybdenum, gold, graphite and other minerals have also experienced varying degrees of growth. China also stepped up the issuance of exploration rights, granting a record 581 permits for strategic minerals in 2024. In the first half of 2025, 318 additional rights were issued.
Bloomberg
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
China Braces for More Heavy Rain as Floods Kill Several People
China is bracing for more intense rainfall, in the latest extreme weather event that has left several dead and flooded some cities in the country. Heavy downpours are forecast this week to batter parts of northern and northeastern China, including major cities like Beijing and Tianjin, raising risks of geological disaster and flooding. Some areas in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces are expecting severe thunderstorms or hailstorms, and perhaps tornadoes, according to the weather bureau.
