China’s participation in the SKA—the world’s largest synthesis radio telescope

The SKA (Square Kilometer Array) will be the world’s largest synthesis radio telescope, which will address many fundamental questions about our universe. Scientists and Engineers from 67 institutions in 20 countries have joined the pre-study of the SKA since 1993. China has been playing an important role, from various SKA concepts in the early years, to the current site selection as well as the technical development. The SKA has now entered the pre-construction phase, and many countries including China are involved into the key technology development, such as antenna prototyping and Phased Array Feed. With China’s continuous participation into the SKA, including the establishment of a science team aiming at limited scientific objectives, technical studies and designs of high-precision light antennas and broadband wide-field receivers, the Chinese Astronomy and related technologies will be greatly promoted. The SKA will provide a great opportunity for China to play an active role in international mega-science projects.