China announced that it has started research works to expand coverage and services of Beidou, its domestically developed satellite navigation system, from the current Asia-Pacific region (read our previous report here)to the entire globe. It is expected the first experiment satellite for Beidou’s global coverage will be launched by the end of 2014, followed by three or four more others …
China’s internet is a giant shopping mall
The spending power of China’s rising middle class is changing the global retail landscape. After increasing by 55% last year to $194 billion, China’s total online retail spending this year could surpass that of the U.S., making the mainland the world’s largest online shopping market. Check out this infographic to find out how much the average Chinese consumer spends via …
Super nano-tube carbon fibers by Teijin Aramid (Netherlands)
Researchers at Teijin Aramid (Netherlands) and Rice University (USA) published their research on a new generation of super fibres in the leading scientific journal Science. For the first time in history it is possible to spin carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a fibre that has very high thermal and electrical conductivity as well as good textile properties. “This new combination of …
BGI and Tencent land on MIT’s 50 disruptive companies list
MIT Technology Review has just released its list of 2013′s 50 most disruptive companies. Shenzhen-based companies BGI and Tencent have both made it to this year’s list, along with the likes of Apple, Illumina, Google, and Philips. Both companies also made it to the top 10 most innovative companies in China that we reported on earlier this month. The magazine …
Invitation International Summer School on Biomedical Image Analysis in China
For the third time, the Sino-Dutch Biomedical Information and Engineering School of the Northeastern University will host a summer school in China. This year the summer school will be organized from 22-27 July in the northeastern city of Shenyang and focus on the topic of biomedical image analysis. The aim is to discuss the mechanisms of visual perception by studying …
China’s stand in Doha Climate Change Conference Nov 26 to Dec 7 2012
China published a report last Wednesday detailing policies and efforts that have been made over the past year in facing up to the challenges of global climate change. The report, titled China’s Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change (2012), was released before the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 7 in …
Chinese enterprises increased their R&D spending
For the first time PetroChina has entered the top 100 of a worldwide innovation list conducted by global management consulting firm Booz & Co. A total of 47 Chinese companies entered the 2011 Innovation 1000 list, compared with 40 Chinese companies in 2010’s survey, 23 in 2009 and 15 in 2008, according to the latest Global Innovation 1000 study. This …
CIGS solar cells research in China
A research team led by Xiao Xudong of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences had announced their major breakthrough in the development of CIGS solar cells with high conversion efficiency of 18.7%. This research is supported by ‘National Science and Technology Major Project’ and in cooperation with the Chinese University of HongKong. 18.7% was achieved with …
Agreement on building a 15-GW hydrokinetic plant
Officials from China and the Netherlands have signed an agreement that could create a 15-GW hydrokinetic plant off the Chinese coast. The project would involve the construction of a 30-km by 60-km T-shaped dam that would be fitted with a number of conventional low-head turbines. The Dutch consortium, called POWER (Partners Offering a Water Energy Revolution), says the massive length …
Chinese researcher granted European Gene Patent
‘Encoding chicken type II collagen (CCOL2A1) full-length gene and its application” was recently granted the “European Gene Patent” by the European Patent Office. This gene patent was invented by Professor Xi Yongzhi from China’s 307 Military Hospital. It will be China’s first internationally recognized European gene patent with high potential in its application in gene drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis. …