China's constant progress in space medicine has facilitated its four manned missions in the past two years since the Tiangong space station was built, according to a report released on Monday.
The report on the progress in scientific research and applications of Chinese space station was released by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) to celebrate the second anniversary of the comprehensive completion of the Chinese space station.
In the past two years, a total of 68 projects have been implemented in orbit in the fields of space life sciences and human research, mainly focusing on basic space biology, space biotechnology and applications, space life ecology, the origin and intersection of space life, the impact of space environment on human physiology, traditional medicine and new health testing techniques, human factors in space flight, and space brain science, according to the report.
"Our space medicine experiments mainly focus on the impact of space flight, such as microgravity and radiation, on human health, including the behavioral capacity of astronauts in space, and the relevant protection. We have also carried out some systematic and large-scale studies on advanced medical monitoring and support technologies and the space application of traditional medicine, with some theoretical and technological breakthroughs made. No matter in theoretical level or that of technological support, space medicine is indeed maturing and improving constantly with the development of flight missions," said Liu Zhaoxia, a fellow with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
To protect astronauts from bone loss and muscle atrophy in space, Chinese researchers have developed a device countering bone loss and some other kinds of medical equipment, which can also serve public health.
"The device not only functions to prevent astronauts from bone loss in microgravity, but also helps with treatment of disuse bone loss for elderly and long-term bedridden patients on the ground, so it could be promoted to clinical application. We have also developed acupoint stimulation devices such as acupoint stimulation clothing and portable acupoint stimulation devices, which can function to a certain extent prevent cardiovascular diseases, muscle atrophy and bone loss. It can also be applied to clinical treatment," Liu said.
In 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crew, who were sent to the space station on April 25 and returned to Earth on Nov 4, stayed in orbit for a record 192 days.
In the future, astronauts will stay and work longer in orbit in more complicated space environments, which requires more advances in space medicine, Liu noted.
"It's an inevitable trend that the manned space missions will operate longer flights and go farther into space, so we will surely aim at longer flights into farther and deeper space in our further development. To support such endeavors, our relevant space medicine guarantee must constantly go deeper to cope with new problems cropping up in manned missions," she said.
China advances space medicine to support manned missions
A 25 percent import tariff on all foreign-built vehicles entering the United States has raised serious concerns for manufacturers in South Africa.
Automotive giants like Mercedes and BMW have long used South Africa as a base for global exports -- but those plans may be shifting into reverse gear after the U.S. announced the punitive measures.
"If you take, for example, BMW, 97 percent of the X3 that we are producing in Rosslyn is exported out of the country. We only sell 3 percent in South Africa, and there's a huge number of those vehicles that also go into the U.S. So there are companies in South Africa that are purely here not because they are selling vehicles in South Africa; they are here to produce vehicles for the global market, and it's important for them to remain globally competitive," said Mike Mabasa, CEO of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.
U.S. automaker Ford, which has deep roots in South Africa, is also in the crosshairs.
The company recently invested over 300 million U.S. dollars to upgrade its Silverton plant in Pretoria, South Africa, for the production of the world's only plug-in hybrid Ranger, which has just entered production but could face delays or restrictions.
"If an American citizen wants to buy specifically a Ford Ranger that is a plug-in hybrid, they can only place an order in South Africa, nowhere else in the world. So, that means, obviously, the capacity of Ford to be able to produce those vehicles in big volumes is going to be constrained, because Americans are going be looking at another Ford that is produced in another country, or even in the United States," said Mabasa.
South Africa has long enjoyed duty-free automotive exports to the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, but that relationship now hangs in the balance.
A sharp shift in U.S. foreign policy threatens to derail an industry that employs thousands and contributes around 5 percent to the country's economy.
"We produce less than 1 percent of global automotive vehicles, so to say. So, in reality, the impact on us is likely to be more disproportionate than those of our peers that produce at the same level. And the risk is actually created -- a concentration risk -- in countries that have greater capacity and are building more; in those countries will be able to absorb some of this," said Parks Tau, South Africa's minister of trade and industry.
Amid growing concerns about overreliance on the U.S. market, Amith Singh, national manager for manufacturing at Nedbank Commercial Bank, emphasized the importance of tapping into regional trade opportunities.
"I think we need to make better use of some of our local agreements, our African continental agreements. How do we leverage that? How do we partner with the government and private sector to start benefiting the countries and the economies aside from the United States? So, those could be the catalyst to drive our localization projects; it could be what we need to drive the African economy as opposed to being completely reliant on the States (United States)," he said.
South Africa is for now standing firm in its decision not to retaliate against steep U.S. import tariffs, set to take effect in just a few days.
Officials in Pretoria acknowledge the challenges posed by the current U.S. administration but are pursuing a diplomatic approach in hopes of maintaining stable relations and preserving the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
US tariffs rock South Africa’s auto industry
