{
  "id": 160723,
  "title": "How an amputee Chinese scientist is fortifying the country’s military software",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/how-an-amputee-chinese-scientist-is-fortifying-the-countrys-military-160723",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T04:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3362932/how-amputee-chinese-scientist-fortifying-countrys-military-software"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the world of military modernisation, software verification has emerged as a critical component, often overshadowed by hardware discussions. Wang Ji, a computer science researcher at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), is spearheading efforts to ensure the software underpinning China's most strategic defence assets is as reliable and secure as the systems they support. Diagnosed with a life-threatening emergency that resulted in the loss of both his legs, Wang, now 56, has remained a prominent figure in China's military software advancements. His contributions were recently recognised when he was awarded the title of “role model of the times” by the Communist Party's publicity department, a distinction also earned in 2023. State broadcaster CCTV highlighted Wang as a pioneer in the field, describing him as someone who consistently pushes forward. According to Wang, high-reliability software functions like a doctor, performing a comprehensive \"CT scan\" on major military equipment to identify hidden bugs and risks. This technology relies on mathematical logic to verify code correctness at the compiler level, an area that has gained increasing importance due to the growing significance of software reliability in global strategic competitions. Wang's dedication to this field spans decades, beginning in 1983 when he was a 13-year-old university freshman at NUDT. Upon learning about China's development of its first supercomputer, the \"Yinhe-1\", or Galaxy-1, Wang realised that computer science was directly connected to the nation's pulse. He pursued postgraduate studies under the guidance of Yinhe-1 pioneer Chen Huowang, expressing his enthusiasm for compiler principles and the power of mathematical logic in achieving practical outcomes. Wang's early career included a reliability assessment for critical aerospace software in 1999, a project that underscored the global stakes involved. Following the project, Wang proposed the concept of high-reliability software technology, which was subsequently codified in a 2003 paper co-authored with Chen. This vision faced a significant setback in 2013 when Wang suffered a life-threatening aortic dissection, leading to the amputation of his legs. Despite his physical challenges, Wang's mother's encouragement helped him overcome his psychological struggles, comparing his recovery to a computer restarting after a crash. In 2015, Wang returned to leading a major national defence project on software engineering technology, continuing his work as a chief scientist and mentor. In 2025, the software technology Wang developed was awarded the first prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award and has been implemented across various key military equipment. For Wang, persistence remains a guiding principle, as he continues to contribute to the field as long as his mind and hands allow.",
  "summary": "Much of the global debate on Chinese military power focuses on hardware but a vital part of the modernisation process is in the niche field of software verification. Wang Ji, a computer science researcher at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), is mentoring a new generation of scientists to treat the software code in national defence systems with the same precision as doctors…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "How an amputee Chinese scientist is fortifying the country’s military software",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/how-an-amputee-chinese-scientist-is-fortifying-the-countrys-military",
        "published": "2026-08-05T04:00:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}