Editor's note: China has become the world leader in many aspects of science and technology development over the past five years, shifting from "copied in China" to "created in China". Here's a look at some of the leading achievements.

Patient Qiu Baozhu is about to discharge from hospital after receiving the cornea transplant operation at the Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University in Xiamen, Southeast China's Fujian province, Nov 27, 2014. (Photo/Xinhua) 

1. World's first artificial cornea

In a move expected to benefit millions of patients suffering from corneal blindness, the world's first artificial bioengineering cornea created and developed domestically by China went into production in May 2015.

The cornea, of which China has complete intellectual property right, is the first and the only cornea in the world that has completed clinical trials. The artificial bioengineering cornea is expected to bring light to the Chinese patients and 60 million patients overseas soon.

This scene taken from FAST's viewing platform shows the panorama of the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope in Pingtang county, Guizhou province, Sept 24, 2016. (Photo/Xinhua) 

2. World's largest single-aperture telescope

China officially put into operation the world's largest single-aperture telescope in September 2016.

The Five-Hundred Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is 500 meters in diameter and equals the size of 30 soccer fields. It has the potential to unlock the secrets of the origin of the universe and boost the search for extraterrestrial life, an expert said.

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.

A woman walks past the Tianhe-3 supercomputer. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

4. World's first prototype exascale supercomputer

Chinese researchers said in May 2017 that they were working on the Tianhe-3 supercomputer designed as the world's first prototype exascale supercomputer.

The supercomputer will be applied in such fields as the analysis of smog distribution, airplane designs, oil surveying and the development of artificial intelligence.

The prototype quantum computer.(Photo from Sina Weibo)

5. World's first photon quantum computer

Chinese scientists unveiled the world's first photon quantum computer in early May 2017. The prototype quantum computer is the first quantum computing machine based on single photons.

Scientists say it will analyze and simulate weather forecasts, medicine, commerce and other data intensive fields at an unprecedented speed and scale.

Panorama of JF12 shockwave hypersonic wind tunnel at Chinese national key laboratory Qian Xuesen Engineering Science Experiment Base in Huairou district, Beijing, July 26, 2013. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

6. World's largest shockwave hypersonic wind tunnel

In May 2012, China opened the JF12 shockwave hypersonic wind tunnel. Known internationally as the "Hyper Dragon", JF12 is a 265-metre-long tunnel that can replicate flying conditions at an altitude of 25 to 50 km.

As wind tunnel is the basic research that decides how advanced aircraft may be developed, the achievement is a new scientific breakthrough in China's aeronautics and astronautics industry.

A researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences examines the Dalian Coherent Light Source. (Photo/Xinhua)

7. World's first 100-meter iron-based superconducting wire

Chinese scientists said in September 2016 that they have successfully developed the world's first 100-meter, iron-based superconducting wire, which is a milestone in the research of iron-based superconducting materials.

The successful development of this improved superconducting wire means that China possesses intellectual property that can be applied to medicine, national defense and many other industries. (China Daily)