Core Insights - Nuclear fusion is regarded as the "ultimate energy" solution due to its nearly limitless fuel reserves and zero carbon emissions, with China making significant advancements in technology and commercialization in recent years [2][4]. Group 1: Technological Breakthroughs - China's nuclear fusion research has evolved since the 1950s, entering a phase of intensive output, with the EAST device achieving a world record of 1.2 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds in 2021 [4]. - In 2023, the HL-3 device achieved high confinement mode operation under a plasma current of 1 million amperes, marking a transition from "catching up" to "keeping pace" in controllable nuclear fusion [4]. - Key challenges for commercializing fusion energy include high-temperature plasma confinement, radiation-resistant materials, and tritium self-sustaining cycles, with substantial progress made in the first two areas [4][5]. Group 2: Industry Landscape - The Chinese fusion industry is rapidly forming, supported by national funding and clear policy direction encouraging private capital participation [5]. - The Energy Bureau's 2023 guidelines aim to establish a fusion demonstration reactor by 2030 and achieve commercialization by 2050, integrating fusion into the new energy system [5]. - Over 20 domestic companies are involved in the fusion sector, focusing on core component manufacturing such as superconducting magnets and vacuum chambers [5]. Group 3: Innovation Ecosystem - A new innovation ecosystem is emerging in China characterized by government guidance, enterprise leadership, and capital support, which is seen as a model for global reference [5]. - China is actively participating in the ITER project, contributing 10% of procurement tasks, while also advancing its own technology through the CFETR project, which is in the engineering design phase [6]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Despite challenges such as high startup costs and the need for a tritium supply chain, the industry anticipates that fusion power generation costs could drop below 0.3 yuan per kilowatt-hour after 2035, making it competitive in the market [6]. - The commercialization of fusion energy is crucial for national energy security and reflects humanity's aspirations for a cleaner future, with China making steady progress towards realizing this vision [6].