Moments showing a stronger China in 2018

China impressed the world with some ten major projects throughout the 2018 timeline.

No. 1 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

On Oct. 24, the world’s longest cross-sea bridge running 55 kilometers opened to public traffic. Regarded as one of the most challenging construction projects, the HZMB integrates a bridge with one undersea tunnel and several artificial islands to connect Hong Kong with Macao.

No. 2 Chang’e 4 lunar probe

On Dec. 8, China launched the Chang'e-4 lunar probe, realizing the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon.

No. 3 Third sea trial of Type 001A aircraft carrier, China's first domestically-built aircraft

Type 001A aircraft carrier, China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier, set out on the third sea trial on Oct. 28. China independently completed the design and construction of the aircraft carrier, indicating that China has gained capacity for building medium-sized or even large-sized aircraft carriers.

No. 4 J-20 fighter formation debuts

J-20 fighter jets in training (File photo)

A formation of four J-20 stealth fighter jets was seen on Nov. 11 commemorating the 69th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

No. 5 Beidou Navigation Satellite System launches global service

China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System started providing global services on Dec. 27. Ran Chengqi, director of the navigation office, said the pillar system's construction of Beidou's third generation constellation has finished, enabling the space based network to provide reliable global positioning, navigation, and timing services with high accuracy.

No. 6 China-made large amphibious aircraft completes very first water takeoff

The AG600 completed its first taxiing at high speed on the water on Oct. 1.

China's independently-developed large amphibious aircraft, the AG600, codenamed Kunlong, completed its first water takeoff and landing in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, on Oct. 20 .

No. 7 First homemade polar icebreaker

On Sept. 10, China launched its first domestically built polar research vessel and icebreaker "Xuelong 2".

No. 8 New Fuxing high-speed trains unveiled

On Dec. 24, China unveiled several new Fuxing high-speed trains, including a 17-carriage train with a designed speed of 350 km per hour and an eight-carriage train with a designed speed of 250 km per hour.

No. 9 Artificial sun achieving electron temperature of over 100 million degrees

On Nov. 12, the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST), or the "Chinese artificial sun," achieved an electron temperature of over 100 million degrees in its core plasma.

No. 10 Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway in operation