Stranded astronauts return, China’s flying power plant: SCMP daily highlights

Chinese astronaut Wang Jie waves while being carried from the Shenzhou-21 spaceship’s return capsule after it touched down at the Dongfeng landing site on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider .

Three astronauts whose return to Earth from China’s Tiangong space station was delayed last week after suspected space debris struck their vessel have landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

2. China’s growth softens in October as property drags investment further down

China’s economic indicators showed fading growth momentum in October, underscoring persistent domestic pressures as investment cooled despite steady consumer spending while markets grappled with uncertainty from the trade war.

3. How Chinese scientists turned a giant kite into a flying power plant

During the tests, the 5,000 square-metre kite and two connected 1,200 square-metre kites were lifted into the air by helium balloon. Photo: CCTV
During the tests, the 5,000 square-metre kite and two connected 1,200 square-metre kites were lifted into the air by helium balloon. Photo: CCTV

China has successfully deployed the world’s largest power-generating kite, capable of harnessing the potential of energy-dense, high-altitude winds to provide cheaper power than traditional surface turbines.

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