On March 28, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced a major breakthrough in controllable nuclear fusion: the next-generation “artificial sun,” China Circulation III, achieved—for the first time—temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius for both atomic nuclei and electrons. This milestone marks a leap in comprehensive fusion parameters and a significant step forward in China’s advancement of nuclear fusion technology.
China Circulation III is a large-scale, independently developed fusion device that mimics the energy generation process of the sun, earning it the nickname “artificial sun.” It is currently the most advanced and largest nuclear fusion device in China by both design and scale.
Recent experiments revealed the reactor reached core temperatures of 117 million degrees Celsius for atomic nuclei and 160 million for electrons. Since electrons orbit within a much smaller atomic volume, temperature variations are expected. Still, surpassing the 100-million-degree mark in both areas is considered a critical achievement, indicating more efficient, stable, and sustained energy release—key conditions for practical fusion energy.
Zhong Wulü, Chief Designer of China Circulation III, emphasized that China’s fusion research has now entered the burning plasma experiment phase. Self-developed systems for heating, control, and diagnostics have been fully deployed, meeting world-class standards and setting multiple national records.
The breakthrough was preceded by international collaboration. On December 14, 2023, China’s Southwest Institute of Nuclear Physics signed an agreement with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) headquarters in Cadarache, France, officially opening China Circulation III to researchers worldwide. This move aims to foster global cooperation in pursuing fusion energy.
In August, the device successfully operated in high-confinement mode under a plasma current of 1 million amperes—another milestone that solidifies China’s position among global leaders in magnetic confinement fusion.
Experts describe nuclear fusion as a future energy source that is clean, abundant, and inherently safe. Entering the burning plasma phase marks the transition toward practical, sustained fusion energy. The next goal is to enhance the device’s capabilities to acquire essential data for continuous fusion reactions.
Over the years, the Southwest Institute of Physics has played a key role in ITER, overcoming engineering challenges and gaining experience in reactor construction, commissioning, and operation. This foundation allows China not only to absorb cutting-edge technologies but also to independently advance its own fusion initiatives. With China Circulation III now open to the global scientific community, it serves as both a collaborative hub and a catalyst for China’s innovation in nuclear fusion.
Source: CGTN, People’s Daily, Xinhua, Global Times
