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The country’s experimental advanced superconducting tokamak, a nuclear fusion reactor created by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is making significant progress toward achieving the long-standing goal of a “man-made sun.” Recent breakthroughs in fusion research have brought this ambitious vision closer to reality.
Researchers recently visited the Institute of Plasma Physics in eastern Anhui Province, home to the tokamak, to observe ongoing developments. Engineers were busy maintaining the massive machine, which stands roughly 11 meters tall, spans eight meters in diameter, and weighs over 400 tons. They were preparing for upcoming experiments when visitors arrived.
“If this machine can produce fusion energy as steadily and continuously as the sun does, it could help us overcome the limits of current energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are finite and non-renewable,” explained Wang Teng, an associate researcher at the institute.
In January, the tokamak—commonly known as EAST—set a world record by reaching a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, nearly seven times hotter than the sun’s core. It maintained this temperature for 1,066 seconds, demonstrating the system’s capability to operate reliably under extreme conditions. This achievement marked a major step forward for China’s fusion science, moving from basic research toward practical engineering applications.
Plans for a next-generation reactor, called BEST—short for Burning plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak—began in May, building upon EAST’s successes. Complete assembly is expected by 2027, with experiments launching shortly after. The goal is to demonstrate controlled nuclear fusion power generation by 2030, paving the way for constructing China’s fusion engineering demonstration reactor. Ultimately, this could lead to a commercial nuclear fusion power plant by 2050, representing a significant transition from laboratory experiments to real-world energy solutions.
“Once BEST is finished and fully tested, experiments will start. We may even witness the first kilowatt-hour of electricity generated from fusion and see the first lightbulb powered by fusion energy,” Wang stated.
Unlike EAST, which is primarily dedicated to scientific research, the BEST project focuses on engineering validation and commercial application of fusion technology. The initiative is backed by major partners, including local government, national energy corporations like China National Petroleum and China National Nuclear, as well as private investors such as electric vehicle manufacturer Nio. The project also involves equipment suppliers, laying the groundwork for a sustainable industrial chain in nuclear fusion technology.
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