China unveils HL-4 tokamak as world’s first HTS steady-state ‘burning’ fusion facility

At a conference in Shanghai, China presented the HL-4 tokamak concept—the world's first experimental facility with high-temperature superconducting magnets for continuous "burning" mode. A 25 T field will reduce reactor size, and AI systems will control the plasma. Construction is underway in Shanghai, and the team will move to a new 500 m-long workshop by June 2027.

• HL-4 will be the first HTS facility with continuous burning mode
• Superconducting magnets create a 25 T field
• By June 2027, the team will move to a 500 m-long workshop
• Next stage is a demonstration reactor for commercialization