As the Year of the Dragon (or ‘loong’) approaches, China’s tech innovations are channeling ancient myths to power modern breakthroughs. From rockets reaching space to subs diving into abyssal trenches, here’s how the ‘loong’ spirit is fueling 2024’s coolest tech!
1. Tianlong: The Sky Dragon Rocket 
Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-2 rocket, meaning ‘sky dragon,’ made history as China’s first commercial liquid-fueled launcher, lifting 2 tonnes to orbit. But the real flex? The upcoming Tianlong-3 aims to rival SpaceX’s Falcon-9 with 17-tonne payloads—set to debut in June!
2. Jiaolong: Deep-Sea Explorer 
Named after a mythical sea dragon, the Jiaolong submersible plunged 7,000+ meters into the Mariana Trench. Its successor, Fendouzhe, later explored the Diamantina Trench’s deepest point, unlocking secrets of the ocean’s ‘twilight zone.’
3. Kunlong: Amphibious Firefighter 

The AG600M Kunlong isn’t just an aircraft—it’s a lifesaver. This dragon-inspired plane scoops 12 tonnes of water to battle wildfires and performs rescues at sea. Think of it as a Transformer with hydrant powers!
Bonus ‘Loong’ Tech: Stealth jets (Weilong), drones (Yilong), and even chips (Loongson) prove China’s dragon-themed innovation is everywhere. Even Elon Musk’s Dragon spacecraft shares the vibe—though inspired by a different dragon song!
As we leap into the Year of the Dragon, these marvels remind us that blending tradition with tech can unlock limitless horizons. Happy Lunar New Year—may your 2024 be as bold as a loong!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com