China’s progress in nuclear fusion research has reached a significant milestone. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often referred to as the ‘artificial sun,’ has successfully surpassed 1,000 seconds of continuous operation at extremely high temperatures.
This feat outstrips the previous record set by EAST itself in 2023 when the device ran for 403 seconds. Before that, the longest continuous operation lasted just 101 seconds in 2021. The successful 1,006-second run is considered a vital step in replicating the conditions required for a future nuclear fusion power plant, setting a new global benchmark for the technology.
EAST, operated by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei, Anhui Province, now can simulate the high-temperature environment of a fusion reactor. This achievement not only underscores China’s advancements in nuclear fusion but also contributes to its goal of making fusion energy a reality.

Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun, where hydrogen atoms are fused to form helium at extraordinarily high temperatures, releasing vast amounts of energy. Achieving these extreme conditions on Earth without producing carbon emissions or radioactive byproducts is the ultimate clean energy goal. The sustained plasma temperature of 180 million degrees Fahrenheit is critical for creating the necessary conditions to generate electricity through fusion.
As noted by Song Yuntao, director of the Institute of Plasma Physics, “A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is critical for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants.”
Since the last round of experiments, EAST has undergone several upgrades, notably in its heating system. Previously, the system operated at the equivalent power of nearly 70,000 household microwave ovens; it now has double the power output. These advancements will be key in making nuclear fusion a feasible source of continuous energy.
The ultimate goal of the EAST project is to replicate the fusion process that powers the Sun, providing a virtually limitless and clean energy source for Earth. Additionally, the research conducted through EAST is expected to contribute to further advancements in space exploration technologies, potentially facilitating missions beyond our solar system.

China has been an active participant in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program since 2006. The ITER, currently under construction in southern France, will be the world’s largest magnetic confinement plasma experiment and the biggest experimental tokamak fusion reactor when completed. China’s contributions to ITER, including financial support and expertise, are integral to the global effort to achieve nuclear fusion.
“Through international collaboration and the development of EAST, we hope to bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity,” said Song. The progress made by EAST will play a critical role in the ITER program and in the development of the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), both of which are essential for the realization of commercial fusion power.