China storms ahead in race to build 5G networks, and already reaps the benefits

Plus: Watch SpaceX spray thousands of gallons of water for Starship test [Blueprint]( 🇨🇳 We regularly report on China’s rapid military development, with recent stories on [fighter jet engines]( [aircraft carrier systems]( and [laser weapon countermeasures]( . But China is no slouch when it comes to civilian infrastructure either, with the recent authorization of a plan to build a [thorium-based nuclear power plant]( and news today that China has blasted ahead in the 5G race. 📶 With a staggering 600,000 new 5G base stations built in just 3 months, they are well on the way to their target of 3 million stations, far surpassing the US's 100,000 built over 2 years. We have the full story in [today's Must Read article]( below. 📹 But first, here’s [your video of the day](. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers learned about how intelligent life may be more likely to evolve in the oceans than on the land. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( Why Marder IFVs are vital for Ukraine's counter offensive The Enhanced Marder 1A3 with strengthened armor and versatile armament — including a 20mm cannon and anti-tank missiles — improves frontline survivability and firepower. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [SUBSCRIBE]( Must Read China built 600,000 5G base stations in three months when it took US two years to build 100,000 📡 Despite economic warning signs, China is racing ahead to prove 5G's capabilities. A rapid 5G rollout is central to China's plan to spur economic growth and technological innovation. 🏭 Beyond enabling faster video streaming, 5G networks are powering smart factories where productivity jumps 35% and defects drop 27%. Over 40 industries now leverage 5G to sharpen global competitiveness. 🌎 China sees 5G as essential infrastructure because it can link appliances, sensors, and wearables, enabling smarter cities and reduces emissions. This is in contrast to many other countries, such as the United States, where rollout is much slower. [Read More]( HOT TOPICS - 🇺🇳 [UN Security Council meets for first time to discuss artificial intelligence risks]( "Near-term and long-term AI will carry a risk of human extinction simply because we haven’t found a way to protect ourselves from AI’s utilization of human weakness." - 👀 In a world first, astronomers discover 'mind-blowing' two-faced star One side of a newly-discovered white dwarf star, dubbed Janus after the two-faced Roman god of transition, is composed of helium and the other of hydrogen. - 🛸 [Newly released classified JFK documents contain reference to UFOs]( One of the newly declassified National Archive documents on the J FK assassination refers to "flying saucers," sparking great interest. - 🔋 [Toyota's solid-state battery breakthrough will reduce costs and size by 50 percent]( Japanese auto-giant claims solid-state batteries will offer a range of 745 miles, and can be topped up in 10 minutes. - [🇰🇷 US nuke submarine visits South Korean port, but why?]( For the first time in decades, an American nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine has appeared at a South Korean port. [Innovation News]( [💦 Watch SpaceX spray thousands of gallons of water for Starship test](target=) Starship [blew a 25-foot-deep crater]( into the launchpad at SpaceX's Starbase facility when it first flew in April. In preparation for the second orbital launch attempt, SpaceX is building a powerful deluge system designed to mitigate the fiery force of its Raptor engines. New footage from NASASpaceflight shows the system's first test. [Read More]( [Culture]( [🌳 Futuristic Dubai tower will have private waterfalls and luxury residences](target=) Named after and inspired by the “Tree of Life” in James Cameron’s movie Avatar, Eywa is an upcoming Dubai tower with 48 residences, each costing around $2.8 million. According to its website, the tower’s residences will be waterfront and feature private waterfalls and a banyan tree décor, resembling the guiding force of life in Avatar’s city of Na'vi. [Read More]( [Innovation]( [🩹 Scientists find that metals have a natural ability to heal themselves](target=) For the first time ever, researchers have observed metals that successfully heal themselves without any human intervention. The development could see self-healing engines, bridges, and airplanes reverse damage caused by wear and tear, making them safer and longer-lasting. [Read More]( [Lexicon Podcast]( QUESTION OF THE DAY How do you think the next SpaceX Starship launch will go? [✅ Starship ✅ Launchpad]( [✅ Starship ❌ Launchpad]( [❌ Starship ✅ Launchpad]( [❌ Starship ❌ Launchpad]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Extraterrestrial communication signals may be impossible for us to understand, according to 71 percent of yesterdays voters. Entangled particles won support with 16 percent of you. 71% We wouldn't understand 16% Entangled particles 10% Probably by radio 4% Using lasers “This was absolutely stunning to watch first-hand. What we have confirmed is that metals have their own intrinsic, natural ability to heal themselves, at least in the case of fatigue damage at the nanoscale.” Brad Boyce, materials scientist at Sandia National Laboratories THE UNIQUE BOUTIQUE [Portable Meditation & Sound Guide]( [Retro Point & Shoot Camera Phone Converter]( [Throwback Speaker with Bluetooth & Radio]( [Long Distance Interactive Heartbeat Necklace]( AND ANOTHER THING - [US startup claims 'commercial scale' geothermal energy production after 30-day demo]( - ['World's largest sundial' could generate nearly 400,000 kWh of electricity every year]( - [New dual-resolution technique opens door for faster drone exploration]( - [Meta announces 'new and improved' LLaMa 2 in partnership with Microsoft]( - [Meet history's most famous short-sleepers]( [premium] - [In a world first, astronomers discover 'mind-blowing' two-faced star]( - Ad Astra: [The future of space propulsion technology (Part II)]( [premium] - [UK sets aside $25 billion to establish fleet of new nuclear reactors]( - [AI cameras are watching millions of cars in the US to nab criminals]( - [300,000-year-old deadly weapon reveals surprising human advancement]( Need help with advertising? 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