7 'firsts' in China's sci-tech achievements in 2012-17

Technicians install thermal control materials for Micius at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in July. [Photo/Xinhua]

3. World's first quantum communication satellite

China successfully launched the world's first quantum satellite in August 2016. The 600-plus-kilogram satellite is nicknamed "Micius," after a Chinese philosopher and scientist.

The satellite is designed to establish "hack-proof" quantum communications by transmitting uncrackable keys from space to the ground, and provide insights into the strangest phenomenon in quantum physics - quantum entanglement.