PLA’s electronic war ‘kill list’, ultra-powerful laser cutter sold: 7 science highlights
From clues to the next pandemic to Chinese scientists leaving the US, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting
1. PLA releases electronic warfare ‘kill list’ for US carrier groups
The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) electronic warfare unit has produced a list of targets for a coordinated attack against US aircraft carrier strike groups. In a potential conflict, these precisely labelled US military radars, sensors and communication systems are likely to take concentrated fire from China’s electronic warfare weapons, according to a researcher involved in the project.
2. Chinese gene unchanged for 3,000 years in cradle of civilisation: study
Chinese researchers say they have established that the genetic lineage of people from the Central Plain – known as a birthplace of China’s civilisation – has been stable for 3,000 years. Their findings show that one of China’s most central regions has not been influenced by nomadic populations or even internal migration from the south, despite numerous regime changes and warfare.
3. Top mathematician says Chinese scientists have no choice but to leave US
China should focus on developing original technologies and scientific knowledge and leverage the expertise of scientists returning from the United States, according to a top Chinese-American mathematician. Yau Shing-Tung retired from Harvard University in 2022 to teach at Tsinghua University and help China become a maths powerhouse.
