Renewables now exceed all other forms of new power generation
According to the International Energy Association, the global growth of renewable energy capacity reached historic levels in 2015.
East Asia
The Giant Panda is no longer listed as endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced the positive change to the giant panda’s official status in the Red List of Threatened Species, pointing to the 17 per cent rise in the population in the decade up to 2014.
Chinese developers unveiled the world’s first permanent Maglev wind turbine in Beijing
Regarded as a key breakthrough in the evolution of global wind power technology, the generator was jointly developed by Guangzhou Energy Research Institute and Guangzhou Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Portugal cedes control of Macau to China, ending European colonization of Asia
Although offered control of Macau as early as the 1960s, the Chinese deemed the time “not yet ripe” and preferred to wait until December 1999 — the very end of the millennium, two years after the Hong Kong handover—to close this chapter of history. Upon the handover of Macau European colonization of Asia ended.
The June Democracy Movement emerges in South Korea
The June Democracy Movement was a nationwide democracy movement in South Korea that forced the ruling government to hold elections and institute other democratic reforms.
China builds its first major solar farm
China’s first 10kW civil photovoltaic power station, which is also the oldest existing photovoltaic power station in China, was built in Xiaocha Village, Yuanzi Township, Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, providing domestic electricity for 130 local households. After 40 years, the plant is still generating electricity at around 7 kW.
China begins producing solar energy cells for first time
The first solar cell factories were located in Ningbo and Kaifeng. Annual national solar capacity installations were still low, as only 0.5 kW of photovoltaic capacity was installed. This increased to 8 kW in 1980, 70 kW in 1985, 500 kW in 1990, and 1550 kW in 1995. Soon, China would become the world’s undisputed leader in solar energy production.
The pocket calculator is invented in Japan
The first portable calculators appeared in Japan in 1970, and were soon marketed around the world. These included the Sanyo ICC-0081 “Mini Calculator”, the Canon Pocketronic, and the Sharp QT-8B “micro Compet”.
Mao Zedong reintroduces Traditional Chinese Medicine into Chinese health care system
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a style of traditional medicine based on more than 2,500 years of Chinese medical practice that includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.
The Constitution of Japan officially goes into effect
The constitution stripped the Emperor of all but symbolic power, provides for a parliamentary system of government, and guarantees universal suffrage and other fundamental rights.