China Inaugurates Advanced Telescope in Thailand, Builds Large Spectroscopic Facility in Qinghai

China is significantly advancing its astronomical infrastructure with multiple large-scale telescope projects aimed at enhancing deep-space observation and Earth monitoring. The Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and Thailand's National Astronomical Research Institute jointly inaugurated a 13-meter radio antenna in Chiang Mai to improve GPS accuracy, climate research, and earthquake forecasting, marking a milestone in China-Thailand scientific cooperation. In Northwest China's Qinghai Province, construction has commenced on the 4.4-meter Jiao Tong University Spectroscopic Telescope (JUST), designed for time-domain astronomy and expected to contribute to discoveries in supernova explosions and exoplanet detection, using innovative modular steel construction to cope with harsh plateau conditions. Additionally, China is quietly preparing to build the 14.5-meter Large Optical Telescope (LOT) at Saishiteng Mountain, which is projected to be the largest optical telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, positioning China among leading astronomical research nations. These projects collectively reflect China's strategic investment in high-precision scientific instruments, enhancing its capabilities in both Earth observation and fundamental astronomy.