Breaking
ESEviction of Maricarmen: tension and protests in Madrid in response to the fourth attempt to evict an 87-year-old womanINTLElon Musk Praises Chinese President Xi Jinping in CCTV InterviewTRTera Investment and 18 Billion Dollar Fund Profit DiscussionsCNShen Boyang returned to Wufenpu to sweep the streets and pray for votes. He frankly admitted that being behind means falling behind: the strategy remains unchanged.RUPushkov: It is enough for Russia to tell the truth to win the information confrontation with Great BritainCNThe United States, Denmark and Georgia sign the Greenland Agreement. The US military will expand its Arctic military presence and incorporate it into the "Golden Dome" defenseDEFederal government approves national roadmap to phase out fossil fuels by 2045RUAlternative navigation for drones: how Ukraine and Russia are creating networks of radio beaconsSEThe weather phenomenon El Niño can last until FebruaryTRIsrael alleges operation against Hamas financial officer in Khan YounisESEviction of Maricarmen: tension and protests in Madrid in response to the fourth attempt to evict an 87-year-old womanINTLElon Musk Praises Chinese President Xi Jinping in CCTV InterviewTRTera Investment and 18 Billion Dollar Fund Profit DiscussionsCNShen Boyang returned to Wufenpu to sweep the streets and pray for votes. He frankly admitted that being behind means falling behind: the strategy remains unchanged.RUPushkov: It is enough for Russia to tell the truth to win the information confrontation with Great BritainCNThe United States, Denmark and Georgia sign the Greenland Agreement. The US military will expand its Arctic military presence and incorporate it into the "Golden Dome" defenseDEFederal government approves national roadmap to phase out fossil fuels by 2045RUAlternative navigation for drones: how Ukraine and Russia are creating networks of radio beaconsSEThe weather phenomenon El Niño can last until FebruaryTRIsrael alleges operation against Hamas financial officer in Khan Younis
Newsgather
All StoriesWorldSportsFinanceTechScienceHealthCultureClimatePoliticsSpace
BackSCMP highlights recent science stories including China's next-gen stealth fighters and energy-efficient oil refining
SCMP highlights recent science stories including China's next-gen stealth fighters and energy-efficient oil refining
Developing
SCMP News3 hours agoScience1 min readChina

SCMP highlights recent science stories including China's next-gen stealth fighters and energy-efficient oil refining

chinaj-50stealth fighter

Quick Look

SCMP compiled recent science coverage featuring China's J-50 stealth fighter with autonomous flight capabilities and a new oil refining method developed by Chinese scientists that could reduce energy use by 90%.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

SCMP compiled science stories from the past two weeks to inform readers about recent developments in technology and defense.

Font size

From oil refining with reduced energy use to a self-powered neural device, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting

1 -MIN READ1 -MIN

Published: 2:30pm, 23 Sep 2026

We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. J-50 design team reveals leapfrog tech for China’s next-gen stealth fighters

China’s next-generation combat aircraft will be able to fly by themselves if a pilot loses consciousness, navigate without satellite signals and operate in self-reorganising large drone formations.

2. Chinese scientists develop oil refining method that may cut energy use by 90%

Open Questions

  • What is the timeline for deployment of the J-50's autonomous systems?
  • When will the new oil refining method be commercially available?
  • What are the specific technical details of the self-powered neural device mentioned in the highlights?

Related Topics

china
OrganizationsSouth China Morning Post
PlacesChina
Topicsj-50stealth fighteroil refiningenergy efficiencyneural devicescmp
This article was originally published by SCMP News.

Related Stories

Qi Faran talks about China’s 70 years of aerospace: A powerful aerospace country must have the ability to lead the world
Science·

Qi Faran talks about China’s 70 years of aerospace: A powerful aerospace country must have the ability to lead the world

Qi Faren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the first chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft, said in Beijing on the 22nd that the most important ability of a space power is to lead the development of the world's space industry and have a forward-looking strategic vision. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's aerospace industry. He reviewed the development process of China's aerospace industry from scratch.

中国新闻网
3 min read
The survival and potential risks of microorganisms in space
Developing·

The survival and potential risks of microorganisms in space

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover is collecting rock samples on Mars as scientists look for signs of possible life. Astrobiologist Dr. Mikaela Musilova pointed out that alien life is likely to be microorganisms that can resist radiation by forming spores and entering a dormant state in the harsh environment of space. The article discusses the risk of reverse contamination that may be caused by microorganisms being brought back to Earth, as well as the issue that humans may carry microorganisms with them when going to space, resulting in increased pathogenicity and suppression of the immune system. It also emphasizes the importance of forward contamination protection measures during space missions to prevent Earth microorganisms from contaminating other planets.

BBC中文
3 min read
Xinjiang's first animal embryo factory production base was put into operation in Wensu, and the efficiency of breeding stock production has been significantly improved
Science·

Xinjiang's first animal embryo factory production base was put into operation in Wensu, and the efficiency of breeding stock production has been significantly improved

Xinjiang Aksu Animal Embryo Production and Transplantation Center was put into operation in Wensu County, using in vitro embryo production technology to increase breeding stock production efficiency by 40 to 50 times. The center was jointly established by multiple parties and has so far produced 2,580 embryos and completed more than 2,200 transplants, aiming to accelerate the cultivation and expansion of fine varieties.

中国新闻网
2 min read
China Science and Technology Museum's "Beichen Dialogue" special program explores the improvement of national scientific literacy in the AI era
Science·

China Science and Technology Museum's "Beichen Dialogue" special program explores the improvement of national scientific literacy in the AI era

During the 2026 World Public Science Literacy Promotion Conference, the China Science and Technology Museum launched the "Beichen Dialogue" special program. Experts such as Guo Zhe, Xu Weilin, Dai Wei and Li Juntian discussed the fairness and inclusiveness of science popularization, the cultivation of innovative soil and the cultivation of interdisciplinary talents in the AI ​​era, emphasizing that science and technology should serve the well-being of all mankind.

中国新闻网
4 min read
The 2nd China-Central Asia Meteorological Cooperation Forum opens in Urumqi
Science·

The 2nd China-Central Asia Meteorological Cooperation Forum opens in Urumqi

The second China-Central Asia Meteorological Cooperation Forum opened in Urumqi. The China Meteorological Administration released the "Mazu" intelligent early warning program action plan, which aims to improve disaster prevention and reduction capabilities in Central Asia and deepen regional meteorological science and technology cooperation through AI meteorological models, data sharing and talent training in the next two years.

中国新闻网
2 min read
China Association for Science and Technology releases 2025 annual statistical briefing: National Association for Science and Technology organizations reach 131,000
Science·

China Association for Science and Technology releases 2025 annual statistical briefing: National Association for Science and Technology organizations reach 131,000

The China Association for Science and Technology released the "2025 Statistical Brief". As of the end of 2025, there were 131,000 science and technology associations across the country. The system covers national societies, local science and technology associations and grassroots organizations. It serves the public with 170 million science popularization activities throughout the year and has 5.395 million science and technology volunteers.

中国新闻网
3 min read
More on this topicchina