China on Friday unveiled its first self-developed mega hot isostatic pressing (HIP) equipment, marking a significant breakthrough in the material manufacturing sector.
As the largest of its kind in China, this newly released HIP equipment excels in densifying and optimizing large and intricately shaped materials under ultra-high temperature and pressure.
The HIP is a key technology used in producing high-performance materials, significantly enhancing their wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties.
"In simple terms, this equipment transforms ordinary materials such as metal or porcelain into high-performance ones. Through HIP, material performance is greatly improved, and the average fatigue life of the material can be increased by at least ten times, meeting the needs of extreme working conditions," said Qi Wen, leader of the mega HIP equipment project.
With wide applications, the HIP technique is suitable for both metal and non-metal materials, such as porcelain or glass. This mega equipment will advance the development of China’s aerospace, oil and gas, and machinery manufacturing sectors, enhancing China's competitiveness in the international material manufacturing arena.
China unveils first self-developed mega hot isostatic pressing equipment
The 32nd Macao International Fireworks Display Contest held this year lit up the skies for two weeks and served a testament to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s role as a hub for diverse global cultures.
Organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office, the contest commenced on September 14 and lasted until October 6, pitting firework shows from ten countries against each other to compete for best show.
Competing shows combined the fireworks with music that blended both Chinese and international elements.
"Our music features not only traditional Chinese instruments, such as the morin khuur (a traditional Mongolian bowed stringed instrument also known as the horse-head fiddle) evoking horse racing, but also a variety of other styles. It blends elements from both Chinese and Western traditions, much like Macao itself," said Zhong Liang, Deputy General Manager of Dongxin Fireworks Group in the Chinese mainland.
"I tried everything in the this show, one concept is very important. I am very happy to participate in this festival because this festival is [one of the most impressive] in the world," said Antonio Lieto, Executive President and Fireworks Designer of Italy's Fireworks Lieto S.R.L.
"This show was designed just for this, just for Macao. It's called Astrum. It's inspired by the Solar system, so we want to make something really unique and really special that can touch the heart of the of all the people watching," said Jose Ribeiro, Executive President of Portugal's firework manufacturer Pirotecnia Oleirense.
In the end, the Chinese show took the grand prize, with Russian firework company Pyro-Klass taking runner up and Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks from Japan landing third place.
The tourism office has been organizing the event since 1989.
The fireworks contest was covered in the fourth episode of the China Media Group (CMG) documentary series titled "25 Years of Lotus Bond."
The series premiered on CCTV-1 at 20:00 Dec 13 and will run until Dec 17, with subsequent broadcasts on CCTV-4 and CCTV-13.
The series highlights the successful practices of "one country, two systems" in Macao under the strategic guidance of the central government.
The Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao and established the Macao SAR on December 20, 1999.
Int'l fireworks contest articulates cultural diversity in Macao SAR
