China has taken a major step forward in nuclear fusion research after its Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) sustained a high-confinement plasma operation for 1,066 seconds on January 20. The achievement significantly surpasses its previous world record of 403 seconds set in 2023.

The breakthrough, led by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), represents a critical milestone in the global race to develop a functional fusion reactor.

Fusion power, often referred to as the “holy grail” of clean energy, aims to replicate the nuclear reactions that power the sun, offering a nearly limitless energy source with minimal environmental impact.

“A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is critical for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants,” said Song Yuntao, director of ASIPP.

China’s EAST reactor is one of several projects worldwide working towards practical fusion energy. The country has been a key member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program, a multinational effort to construct the world’s largest fusion reactor in France. As part of the agreement, China is responsible for approximately 9% of the construction and operational tasks.

EAST’s latest breakthrough also provides crucial data for the development of China’s Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), an experimental facility under construction in Hefei, Anhui Province.

While EAST’s new record is a step forward, nuclear fusion remains far from commercial viability.

A fusion reactor must sustain plasma at temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius while maintaining stability for extended periods — conditions necessary to generate continuous electricity.

Since its launch in 2006, EAST has served as a test platform for international scientists. Gong Xianzu, head of EAST’s Physics and Experimental Operations division, stated that recent upgrades, including a more powerful heating system, contributed to the record-setting experiment.

With global energy demand rising and climate concerns intensifying, fusion energy is being seen as a long-term solution. While practical fusion power plants are still decades away, advancements like EAST’s latest success bring the world closer to achieving an unlimited, sustainable energy source.

IOL