Core Insights - The commercialization of controlled nuclear fusion is expected to be achieved around 2050, moving away from the long-held belief of "50 years away" [1] - Controlled nuclear fusion is viewed as the "ultimate energy" source due to its abundant resources, inherent safety, and environmental friendliness [1] - China has transitioned from "catching up" to "keeping pace" in fusion energy research and has achieved leadership in certain technological areas [1] Industry Development - The development of controlled nuclear fusion is divided into six stages, with the current focus on the third stage—burning experiments, which are crucial for achieving fusion reactions [2] - China has established partnerships with over 140 fusion research institutions globally and is actively participating in international collaborations [3] - China is a key partner in the ITER project, contributing to the development and manufacturing of critical components, which is the largest tokamak project aimed at validating large-scale fusion energy feasibility [4] Technological Advancements - Significant progress has been made in China's fusion energy capabilities, including the EAST device achieving a world record of 1066 seconds of steady-state plasma operation at over 100 million degrees Celsius [2] - The China Fusion Energy Company has been established to focus on overall design, technology validation, and digital R&D in the fusion sector [6][7] Investment Landscape - Over $10 billion has been invested in the fusion energy sector, with increasing participation from private enterprises alongside state-backed initiatives [5][7] - Private companies are leveraging their agility and innovation to accelerate the transition from experimental research to engineering applications in fusion technology [7] Future Directions - There is a call for enhanced scientific research and innovation in areas such as steady-state combustion, energy gain, and fuel sustainability [8] - Strengthening international cooperation and sharing resources is emphasized to tackle major scientific and engineering challenges in fusion energy development [8]