Yanwen’s blog

January 26, 2025

I’d like to share something that may not seem particularly interesting at first glance, but it caught my attention. On LinkedIn, I often receive messages from people asking various questions. I usually direct them to my posts for answers and then disengage, unsure whether I’m interacting with AI bots or real people. Interestingly, some people don’t appear to be genuinely interested in my content. Instead, their main goal seems to be casual conversations—something I have neither the time nor the inclination to entertain.

Thankfully, most of them stop messaging after a few days of being ignored. Reflecting on this behavior, if these are indeed real people seeking conversation, it paints a picture of a world with many lonely individuals trying to connect, even on a professional platform like LinkedIn.

On a completely different and more interesting note, have you heard about zebrafish in space? Known as 斑马鱼 (Bānmǎ yú) in Chinese, this experiment is groundbreaking. A closed aquatic ecosystem aboard China’s space station allowed four zebrafish to complete their life cycle—growth and reproduction—over 43 days in microgravity. Here’s a summary of the key facts and implications:

On April 25, 2024, China’s Shenzhou-18 spacecraft launched, carrying four zebrafish, aquatic plants, and astronauts. On November 4, 2024, astronauts returned with water samples from the space-based ecosystem. The experiment lasted 43 days, during which zebrafish adapted to and thrived in microgravity.

Experiment details include the closed ecosystem used photosynthetic plants to produce oxygen, while zebrafish waste sustained plant growth. Food was administered via syringe. Zebrafish displayed unique behaviors, such as upside-down swimming, caused by the effects of microgravity.  

Key players include researchers from the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics conducted the experiment. Results were published in The Innovation journal.

Broader implications are this study enhances our understanding of vertebrate adaptation to microgravity, providing essential data for designing closed-loop life-support systems for long-term space missions. It also highlights China’s leadership in zebrafish research, supported by over 500 domestic laboratories.

Biomedical significance lies in the fact that zebrafish share over 70% genetic similarity with humans, making them valuable for studying disease mechanisms and drug development. This experiment opens new possibilities for space-based medical research.

Implications for Space Exploration:

This milestone demonstrates the feasibility of sustaining vertebrate life cycles in space and lays the foundation for future experiments. Insights gained could inform studies on how vertebrates, including humans, adapt to microgravity, with potential applications for mitigating issues like bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and organ function changes during extended missions. These findings are crucial as humanity progresses toward ambitious goals, such as establishing lunar bases or exploring Mars.

Looking ahead, China plans to send more fish to space in 2025, focusing on sustainable life-support systems. Studying aquatic life in microgravity may pave the way for developing robust closed-loop ecosystems, essential for maintaining life during long-duration space travel.

January 25, 2025

Telling stories about China has been a journey fueled by curiosity, dedication, and a commitment to bridge cultural and informational gaps. I’ve spent countless hours researching, distilling complex topics, and presenting them in language that’s accessible and engaging. It’s a labor of love, yet it often invites skepticism. One reader once asked me, “Do you really believe this?”

The truth is, what I believe is secondary and not relevant. What drives me isn’t a need to convince anyone of my belief. Instead, it’s the journalist in me—a desire to explore and share perspectives that are often overlooked or unknown, particularly in the United States. 

My motivation is rooted in making sure China stories that rarely reach the mainstream are brought to light, especially for Americans like my children, who often encounter one side of the narrative. And I want them to know that other side of narratives do exist.

I hope this process has been as enlightening for me as it is for my readers. Much like teaching, the act of teaching benefits both the teacher and the students. Each story teaches me something new about the world, and that shared discovery is its own reward.

Here’s a snapshot of the remarkable events and projects I’ve had the privilege to cover recently:

- 12/24/2024: Huawei's robots combat desertification in the Taklamakan Desert.  (Read more here) 

- 12/26/2024: Rabbits reversing desertification in Inner Mongolia—an ingenious and surprising solution.  (Read more here)

- 12/28/2024: The Altash Water Conservancy Project—a lifeline for Xinjiang’s sustainable future.  (Read more here)

- 12/29/2024: The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway construction, a milestone in regional connectivity.  (Read more here)

- 12/30/2024: Jupiter One, a groundbreaking hydrogen generator signaling the dawn of clean energy.  (Read more here)

- 12/31/2024: The CR450 high-speed train, redefining efficiency in rail travel.  (Read more here)

- 1/2/2025: China’s Great Green Wall—a transformative success in global environmental restoration.  (Read more here)

- 1/3/2025: China's progress in quantum technology, catching up with America.  (Read more here)

- 1/6/2025: The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world’s longest expressway tunnel.  (Read more here)

- 1/7/2025: The construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yalu Zangbu River in Tibet. (Read more here)

 A New Perspective on What China has Achieved

These stories open a window into China’s current position in innovation and technology, offering readers a chance to see its progress from a different perspective. For me, learning and sharing these narratives has been a journey of expanding horizons and fostering curiosity. Whether or not my readers agree with my perspective, my hope is that they walk away with a broader understanding of an alternative narrative about China—a story often left untold.

January 24, 2025

On January 20, while waiting at the gate at New York's JFK airport, I met a Korean couple. The man, 79 years old, was remarkably healthy and full of energy, chatting animatedly with me. He mentioned how, in Korea, it’s common to see elderly people like him who are active and healthy. The couple was visiting the U.S., having already toured the Washington, D.C. area. Curious about my travel choice, he asked why I chose Korean Air. I explained that there are very few direct flights between the U.S. and China, so travelers often rely on airlines from Korea, Japan, or Taiwan. These countries are critical "connectors" for international travel from the U.S. and China—a role reminiscent of how Vietnam, Mexico and other connector countries play the same trade function between China and the U.S.

One cultural observation stood out to me: on the Korean flight, when I said “thank you” to the service personnel, they didn’t respond. I’m certain they heard me, but their silence felt different from the customary acknowledgment one might expect.

The next day, while transferring at Incheon Airport, I struck up a conversation with two Chinese travelers from Toronto. We discussed China's rapid technological advancements. One senior Chinese posed an intriguing question: “But who invented these technologies?” The implication was clear—she believed many of these innovations originated in the West. While it’s true that the West has historically been the pioneer in many fields, moving inventions from "0 to 1," I added that China's strength lies in taking those ideas and scaling them up to unprecedented levels—turning "1 into 1,000 or even 1,000,000." An invention, no matter how groundbreaking, cannot reach its full potential if it remains confined to a lab or niche market. China has demonstrated unparalleled efficiency in bringing technologies like robots and electric vehicles to the masses in record time, transforming innovation into global impact like never seen before.

On my flight from South Korea to Beijing, I sat beside two young Chinese men, both born in 1998. One, from Yunnan, was a businessman with extensive activity in South America. He remarked that “90% of the goods people use daily in South American countries are made in China.” However, he shared frustrations about the challenges Chinese businesses face due to U.S. sanctions and trade restrictions, which is the major challenge for Chinese international operations.

The other young man, originally from Beijing, had a different story. He attended high school in Connecticut in 2013, completed college in Vancouver, and worked there after graduation. However, he recently lost his job and was now returning to China to celebrate the Spring Festival with his family. He said, I don't mind right now going back home and not returning to Canada. Job markets are not good anyway. Their journeys reflect the diverse paths young Chinese people are taking in an increasingly interconnected yet politically complicated world.

Reflections

These encounters highlight the interplay of culture, economics, and global dynamics. From a Korean elder’s pride in his nation’s health and vitality, to debates over innovation and its reach, to the resilience of young Chinese professionals navigating global challenges, every conversation offered a lens into how individuals experience and interpret the shifting tides of our interconnected world. While crossing physical borders when we travel, it also offers opportunity to understand the complexities of culture, opportunity, and progress.

January 23, 2025

Last Saturday, I met a nine-year-old girl at the YWCA swimming pool. She was swimming alone, sharing a lane with me. As we swam, we chatted. When it was time for me to leave, she swam to the edge of the pool to say goodbye, her cheerful wave leaving an equally cheerful impression.

Moments like these remind me of a simple truth I learned long ago: two groups of people most deserve the world's attention—children and the elderly. Both are vulnerable in their own ways, and yet, in moments like this, they remind us of the profound joy found in life’s simple pleasures. Perhaps this was one of those fleeting, meaningful moments—a child savoring a bit of happiness on an ordinary day.

Reflecting on such moments of connection reminds me of another kind of human achievement that brings meaning and pride, albeit on a much grander scale: the advancement of space technology. Earlier this year, on January 6, China achieved a significant milestone with the launch of the Shijian-25 satellite, (实践卫星25号, Shíjiàn Wèixīng Èrshíwǔ Hào).

At precisely 4 a.m., the Shijian-25 satellite was launched into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3B carrier rocket. The mission was a success, with the satellite smoothly entering its designated orbit. Its mission is to verify critical technologies related to satellite refueling, servicing and repairing station and lifespan extension services—technological advancements that have the potential to reshape the future of space operations.

Why This Matters.  The successful launch of Shijian-25 is significant for several reasons:

Pioneering Satellite Sustainability     - Shijian-25’s primary mission is to validate technologies for satellite refueling and extending operational life. These innovations can drastically reduce the need for launching replacement satellites, making space activities more cost-effective and sustainable.

A Milestone in China's Space Program     - This mission marks the 555th flight of the Long March rocket series, a testament to the reliability and maturity of China's aerospace technology. Such milestones are symbolic of China's growing presence and expertise in space exploration.

Strategic Implications     - The ability to refuel satellites mid-mission has both civilian and military applications, from enhancing communications to improving surveillance capabilities. This technology places China at the forefront of advanced satellite servicing and space sustainability efforts.

Addressing Space Debris     - With the growing problem of space debris, extending satellite lifespans offers a proactive solution. Satellites that can be refueled or repaired instead of discarded reduce orbital clutter, contributing to global space sustainability efforts.

A Broader Perspective

As a technical achievement, the Shijian-25 mission reflects humanity's ongoing quest to push the boundaries of possibility. By addressing challenges like satellite sustainability and orbital debris, China is contributing to the shared goal of ensuring that space remains a viable domain for future generations.

From the cheerful wave of a child at the edge of a swimming pool to the quiet brilliance of a satellite’s journey into orbit, these moments remind us of our collective capacity to create, connect, and aspire. Whether it’s in the small joys of daily life or the monumental leaps of technological progress, they are all part of the same human story—one of optimism, innovation, and hope.

January 22, 2025

Early in January, the bitter cold made me wish I could hibernate like a bear until spring arrived. The thought of staying dormant was tempting, but unlike bears, we’re built to keep moving. Exercise is non-negotiable, even on the coldest days. So, with some reluctance, I bundled up in heavy layers, feeling weighed down as I trudged to the YWCA. By the way, Beijing feels warmer than New York, making it easier to go out.

Back from the gym that day, I came across some astonishing news: "China has set the bar high with a breakthrough in satellite-to-ground laser communications, surpassing Elon Musk's Starlink." This marked another milestone in China's rapid advancements in satellite communications.

Key Facts About the Achievement

1. Technological Breakthrough   China achieved a 100 Gbps transmission rate using laser communication—a remarkable leap forward. Laser communication offers distinct advantages over traditional radio frequency (RF) systems:

Higher Data Rates: Critical for handling the vast amounts of data generated by remote sensing and next-generation technologies.  

Reduced Interference: Less susceptible to environmental and signal interference compared to RF systems.  

Enhanced Security: Narrow optical beams make laser communication harder to intercept, boosting security.

This accomplishment positions China at the forefront of satellite communication technology, paving the way for advancements in 6G, ultra-high-resolution remote sensing, and enhanced satellite positioning systems.

2. Applications and Impacts  

The implications of this breakthrough extend across multiple fields:  

6G Networks: High-speed satellite-to-ground communications could become a cornerstone of 6G infrastructure, enabling seamless global connectivity.  

Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging: Rapid data transmission supports real-time, high-quality imaging for applications such as disaster management, agriculture, urban planning, and defense.  

Advanced Navigation: Improved satellite positioning systems could revolutionize navigation technologies, benefiting industries like autonomous vehicles and shipping.

3. Strategic Implications  

This development has broader strategic significance:  

(a) It showcases China’s growing expertise in cutting-edge space technologies, solidifying its position as a global tech leader.  

(b) The innovation could drive China's commercial space sector, fostering economic growth and technological innovation.

China’s 100 Gbps laser communication achievement is yet another example of its rapid technological progress. While undeniably impressive, the true impact of this breakthrough will depend on its scalability, commercialization, and practical integration into everyday applications.

China’s achievement in 100 Gbps laser communication is another example of its rapid technological ascent. Beyond the impressive numbers, this breakthrough signals a new chapter in satellite communication, with transformative potential for global connectivity, precision imaging, commercial potential, and advanced navigation. Still, more works are needed so that this innovation is scaled, integrated, commercialized, and applied to real-world scenarios. As we watch these developments unfold, one thing is clear: the race to redefine the future of communication has already begun.