On June 27, 2026, two major announcements emerged from Hefei's "Science Island."
The Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), announced that two independently developed superconducting magnets for fusion reactors had-on the same day-successfully passed technical acceptance and completed full-load parameter testing, respectively.
One announcement concerned sheer scale: the world's largest superconducting magnet for a fusion reactor officially passed acceptance. The other highlighted precision: a high-temperature superconducting central solenoid coil completed full-load testing, with key performance indicators reaching world-leading levels.
Taken together, these developments send a clear signal: China's nuclear fusion industry is transitioning from "laboratory concept" to "engineering reality."
I. What makes this 582-ton "behemoth" so impressive?
Let's look first at the toroidal field magnet.
It measures 21 meters in length, 12 meters in width, and 3.3 meters in height, with a total weight of 582 tons. To put that in perspective: compared to the equivalent magnet for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), its volume is 1.3 times larger, and its energy storage capacity is three times greater.
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It is not merely a matter of size.
In a fusion device, the superconducting magnet acts as an "invisible cage"-generating a powerful magnetic field that firmly confines plasma heated to over 100 million degrees Celsius within the vacuum chamber, preventing high-energy particles from striking the walls. Without this "magnetic cage," the fusion reaction simply could not take place.
This magnet operates at a current of 98 kiloamperes; when 16 such magnets are assembled, they generate a 6.5-tesla magnetic field at the center of the device. The project spanned six years, resulting in 47 granted patents and the establishment of 14 technical standards.
Most importantly, the entire magnet system achieved 100% domestic production.
Song Yuntao, Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics, put it plainly: "The special stainless steel, insulation materials, and superconducting materials we use are all domestically produced."
II. The high-temperature superconducting coil: a true "invisible ace"
If the toroidal field magnet represents a breakthrough in scale and comprehensive capability, the high-temperature superconducting central solenoid coil represents a leap in precision and cutting-edge technology. [Image]
This coil is a key component of a compact fusion energy experimental device. Its primary function can be summarized in a single sentence: to induce and drive plasma current while dynamically adjusting the plasma's confinement configuration.
In simpler terms, it is responsible for "ignition" and "stabilization"-igniting the plasma and ensuring it remains stable.
The measured data speaks for itself: a stable operating current of 60 kiloamperes (kA), an energy storage capacity of 6.03 megajoules (MJ), a maximum magnetic field ramp rate of 5.1 Tesla per second, and a joint resistance of merely 0.87 nano-ohms.
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What do these figures signify? The rated operating current of 46.5 kA is nearly five times that of the central solenoid in the existing EAST device.
Furthermore, everything-from the superconducting materials and structural design to the complete manufacturing process-has been achieved through domestic production.
III. Why is 2026 considered the "Inaugural Year of the Nuclear Fusion Industry"?
These two breakthroughs did not occur in isolation. When viewed within the broader industrial landscape, the picture becomes much clearer.
Nuclear fusion energy has been incorporated into the national outline for the "15th Five-Year Plan" and designated as a key area for future industries. The "15th Five-Year Plan" period is widely regarded by the industry as a critical strategic window for China's fusion technology to transition fully from scientific experimentation to engineering application and industrialization.
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In 2026, "future energy" was included in the Government Work Report for the first time, and the *Atomic Energy Law* officially came into effect. The policy groundwork has already been laid.
Activity at the industrial level is even more intense.
According to industry data, over 40 A-share listed companies have entered the nuclear fusion sector, covering the entire supply chain-from key materials and core components to equipment manufacturing.
Private capital is also flooding in at an accelerated pace. StarRing Fusion (Xinghuan Juneng) completed a 1-billion-yuan Series A financing round in January of this year, followed by a 500-million-yuan Series A+ round in May. Dongsheng Fusion secured a new financing round worth 100 million USD, while Chaoci Xinneng (SuperMag) completed an "Angel+" round raising several hundred million yuan.
Industry analysis suggests that the total value of domestic nuclear fusion industry tenders is poised to grow approximately fivefold in 2026, with multiple fusion projects accelerating their progress. IV. From "Always 50 Years Away" to a "Visible Future"
There is a long-standing cliché about nuclear fusion: it is "always 50 years away."
However, the situation has been changing over the past two years.
Shanghai-based Energy Singularity's "Honghuang-70"-an all-high-temperature superconducting tokamak-successfully achieved steady-state, long-pulse plasma operation for 1,337 seconds, making it the only commercial nuclear fusion company in the world to reach the thousand-second milestone for long-pulse operation.
Duan Xuru, Chief Scientist for Fusion at the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), stated that China's current nuclear fusion research capabilities place it in the top tier alongside Europe, the US, and Japan, with a lead in certain technologies.
Research reports indicate that approximately 78% of nuclear fusion companies expect their pilot plants to be operational between 2030 and 2035. The fusion industry is entering a pivotal decade that will determine its future development.
The practical application of an "artificial sun" in China is no longer a dream! An interview with the Deputy Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
The two breakthroughs in superconducting magnets achieved in Hefei are directly linked to the core question: "Can we actually build a fusion reactor?"
Qin Jinggang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics, put it clearly: "The central solenoid magnet operates under the most complex conditions of any magnet; its performance directly determines whether the fusion device can achieve ignition and maintain stability-it is a critical component in transitioning from an experimental device to a practical fusion energy application."
Superconducting magnets are the "heart" of a fusion reactor. Now that the heart has been created, can the complete "body" be far behind?
Of course, there is still a long road ahead for the commercialization of fusion. Challenges such as the tritium fuel production cycle, material resilience against radiation, and long-duration steady-state operation have yet to be fully resolved. However, the pathway from "experimental reactor" to "demonstration reactor" and finally to "commercial reactor" is gradually becoming clear.
V. Industry Reshuffling Has Begun
Technological breakthroughs are merely the first domino to fall.
As core technologies-such as superconducting magnets-are localized, the entire nuclear fusion industry chain is undergoing a profound restructuring.
In the past, nuclear fusion relied primarily on large-scale national scientific facilities "going it alone." The landscape has changed; a new pattern is emerging in which "national teams lead the way, while private enterprises drive diverse innovation." Hefei is home to over 200 enterprises within the nuclear fusion industry chain. Chengdu is currently building a fusion-focused science and innovation hub. Regions such as Shanghai, Anhui, and Sichuan have all clearly defined their development paths for the fusion industry.
This is not a question of "who will win," but rather "who will break out of the pack first."
Enterprises and institutions capable of being the first to transform laboratory technologies into engineering capabilities will secure a head start in the industry's next wave of explosive growth. Meanwhile, those merely "waiting for the wind to rise" may fail to catch even the tail end of the opportunity.
Returning to the initial question: Has the Chinese nuclear fusion industry reached its "critical point"?
From a technological standpoint, the toughest challenge-superconducting magnets-has been overcome. From a policy perspective, the industry has been designated as a key priority for the future in the "15th Five-Year Plan." From a capital perspective, funds from various sources are pouring in at an accelerating pace.
A critical point is not necessarily a specific date; rather, it is triggered when three conditions are met simultaneously: key technological breakthroughs, clear policy direction, and sustained capital injection.
The two breakthroughs achieved on June 27, 2026, at Hefei's Science Island may well represent a crucial piece of the puzzle at this critical juncture.
