China launches advanced telescope project in the “Roof of the World”

Beijing – SANA
China has announced the launch of a major scientific initiative to build a high-precision astronomical telescope in the heart of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, often referred to as the “Roof of the World.”
The project aims to enhance the country’s capabilities in exploring the cold and hidden universe.
The telescope, named Xue-Shan-mu-Chang Submillimeter (XSMT), will feature a 15-meter diameter and be located in Delingha City, Qinghai Province, in northwestern China, at an altitude of 4,800 meters above sea level. The project is led by the Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is scheduled for completion by 2027.
Scientists say the site offers ideal conditions for astronomical observation, including high elevation and extremely low water vapor levels—factors that allow for precise measurements and help bridge a gap in China’s current astronomical infrastructure.