China Succeeds in First Practical Hydrogen Bomb Testing on Jan 7, 1972

The Chinese Q-5A Attacker carried the country's first hydrogen bombs for practical use on Jan 7, 1972. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

China succeeds in first practical hydrogen bomb testing on Jan 7, 1972

A Chinese Q-5A Attacker aircraft carried and exploded a hydrogen bomb on Jan 7, 1972, proof that China's hydrogen bomb was ready to be used in actual combat.

China exploded its first atomic bomb on Oct 16, 1964 and succeeded in its first hydrogen bomb explosion three years later.

Developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd., Q-5A was made to carry and drop the hydrogen bomb if needed in combat.

China opens its first cross-sea railway on Jan 7, 2003

"Yue Hai Tie 1 Hao", a ferry dedicated to freight trains, left Beigang Dock in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, for Haikou's Nangang Dock in Hainan Province on Jan 7, 2003, opening the first cross-sea railway line in China.

Contracted by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) and China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), the line includes both railroad and ferry sections.

Key technological breakthroughs were developed during its construction, which signaled that China's railway construction had entered a new stage.

The line also played a significant role in the country's future cross-sea railway construction, operation and management.

China's communications industry enters 3G era on Jan 7, 2009

The top three communications operators — China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. (China Unicom) and China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd. (China Mobile) were granted 3G commercial licenses on Jan 7, 2009, marking that the country had entered the 3G era and could provide high-speed mobile internet to its citizens.

A communication industrial chain including 3G internet construction, terminal equipment manufacturing and operation and information services was built by the three operators and other central SOEs including Datang Telecom Technology & Industry Group., China Electronic Corporation, and Potevio as soon as the licenses were granted.

Mobile access to the internet developed rapidly following a sharp decline in internet device costs and the birth of communication modes like video calls.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)