China Develops the Type 59 Medium Tank, Its First, on Dec 25, 1958

Thirty-two Type 59 medium tanks, China's first, are displayed in the military parade of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

China develops the Type 59 medium tank, its first, on Dec 25, 1958

The Type 59 medium tank, China's first tank, was introduced by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited on Dec 25, 1958.

Based on the Soviet T-54A, the Chinese tank was completed eight months ahead of schedule and over the next year 32 Type 59s were delivered to the army. The tank debuted at the military parade of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

World's first multi-terminal VSC-HVDC project starts operation on Dec 25, 2013

The Nanao ±160kV multi-terminal voltage source converter (VSC) high voltage direct current (HVDC) project in Shantou, Guangdong Province, the world's first of its kind, went into service on Dec 25, 2013.

The operation was proof that China Southern Power Grid, builder and operator of the project, had solved the international puzzle of VSC-HVDC and mastered VSC power transmission technology.

The project was a safe and highly-efficient solution to long-distant high-capacity power transmission, large-scale intermittent clean electrical connection, multiple direct current (DC) feed-in as well as power supply and DC transmission network construction in offshore and remote islands.

It allows wind power to be linked into a grid, which improves the ratio of wind power usage by five to ten percent.

(Executive editor: Zhang Tianyuan)