Nigeria Times

By Liu Shaohua, People’s Daily

China’s rapidly growing e-sports industry is transforming entertainment consumption but also creating diverse range of new jobs. As the sector continues to expand, it is emerging as a key driver of the digital economy and opening up diverse career paths for young people.

A prominent example is Xu Bicheng, known globally by his screen name “Yinuo,” who won an e-sports gold medal at the Arena of Valor Asian Games Version. He first realized his exceptional gaming talent while still in school. In 2019, his club was acquired by a professional gaming club, marking his entry into the fast-evolving world of competitive gaming.

Today, China’s e-sports industry has grown into a vast ecosystem. According to a 2025 report on China’s e-sports industry released by the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association, the sector has become a major engine driving digital culture and new forms of consumption. In 2025, China remained the world’s largest e-sports market, with total industry revenue reaching 29.33 billion yuan ($4.3 billion) and a user base of 495 million.

At the heart of this ecosystem are professional players and streamers. In 2019, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security officially recognized e-sports players and event managers as new professions.

Unlike casual gaming, professional e-sports is highly structured and competitive. Teams operate with dedicated staff, including head coaches, coaches, and managers. Similar to professional football leagues, the King Pro League (KPL) features only 18 franchised teams, making opportunities for professional players extremely limited.

Yinuo exemplifies this new wave of digital athletes, commanding a massive following among youth. On Chinese short video platform Douyin, he has over 8.4 million followers and 280 million likes, while his Weibo microblog attracts more than 5.3 million followers. His livestreamed matches routinely attract hundreds of thousands of viewers.

The growing influence of e-sports is increasingly recognized by academics. Huang Xinyuan, a professor at the School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China, noted that e-sports has become integral to young people’s lifestyles. In 2017, the university became the first in China to launch an undergraduate program in e-sports. 

“E-sports is no longer just entertainment. It represents a way of life,” Huang said, recalling the electrifying atmosphere at live competitions.

The industry’s reach continues to expand both online and offline. In 2023, e-sports debuted as an official medal event at the Asian Games. In 2025, the KPL Grand Finals drew over 62,000 in-person attendees, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest live audience ever at an single e-sports event.

Looking ahead, e-sports will play an even bigger role. The upcoming 2026 Asian Games will feature 11 e-sports events, an increase from seven at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023.

Behind the scenes, a growing workforce supports live streaming and event broadcasting. Statistics show that live streaming is the primary revenue source for the industry, generating over 23.7 billion yuan in 2025, accounting for 80.81 percent of total revenue.

At the same time, the integration of e-sports with sectors such as culture, tourism, and technology is creating hybrid jobs. Opportunities now span event operations, content creation, data analysis, commentary and hosting, venue management, and merchandise development, forming a employment ecosystem worth tens of billions of yuan across the value chain.

From full-time employment to flexible gig work, e-sports-related careers have become a major option for younger generations. 

A 2024 report on the development of e-sports-related jobs showed that the industry had more than 650,000 full-time positions in 2024, with about 80 percent located in first-tier and emerging first-tier cities. Meanwhile, flexible roles such as “e-sports instructors” are expanding rapidly, providing new digital employment opportunities for young people.

Education is evolving to meet industry demand. In 2017, “electronic competitive sports and management” was listed as new major for vocational schools. Eight years later, China introduced “game art design” as a new undergraduate major. So far, 139 universities across the country offer e-sports-related programs, training more than 40,000 students annually and building a steady pipeline of talent.

Enterprises are also actively involved. According to a representative from the e-sports division of Chinese tech giant Tencent, which also runs many online games in China, initiatives such as talent reserve programs and joint training schemes with universities aim to align education with industry needs. “We hope to transform the popularity of e-sports events into a sustained talent dividend through a mature ecosystem,” the representative noted.

Local governments are also stepping up support. Guangzhou in east China’s Guangdong province aims to become one of the world’s most influential e-sports cities by 2030. Shanghai plans to build globally recognized branded tournaments and attract top international events. Xiamen in Fujian province has introduced policy measures to promote high-quality development of the gaming industry.

Both on and off the screen, China’s e-sports industry is thriving — fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping a new generation of digital careers.

By Luo Shanshan, People’s Daily

Nestled along China’s northern border, Inner Mongolia autonomous region boasts a unique geographical advantage: it spans northeast, north and northwest China, connects eight provincial-level regions within the country, and serves as a vital gateway linking China to Europe and Asia.

Recently, China’s State Council issued an overall plan for China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), bringing the total number of China’s pilot FTZs to 23 and further improving the overall layout of its FTZ network.

Yuan Xiaoming, assistant minister of commerce, stated that the overall plan supports the Inner Mongolia FTZ in leveraging its geographical advantages to fully utilize both domestic and international markets and resources. It prioritizes seven key areas, including developing major trade hubs, enhancing bilateral investment quality, deepening domestic and international connectivity, and facilitating the cross-border flow of production factors.

The blueprint outlines 19 reform measures, such as upgrading goods trade structures and strengthening international logistics services. Its vision is to build the FTZ into an information exchange hub, a transportation and logistics center, a platform for factor and resource allocation, a hub for scientific and technological innovation, and an industrial cooperation center in key fields, thereby linking domestic and international markets while driving regional growth.

Efforts will focus on developing northern international transport corridors to expand global connectivity. In 2025, cargo throughput at Inner Mongolia’s land ports reached 132 million tons, up 8.3 percent year on year and exceeding 100 million tons for three consecutive years.

The overall plan proposes upgrading port infrastructure, strengthening international logistics services such as aviation, postal delivery, and China-Europe freight trains, and exploring smart new cross-border transport corridors, including those featuring autonomous driving.

The FTZ is expected to enhance the development of an open economy and help strengthen China’s domestic economic cycle. In 2025, Inner Mongolia handled 9,557 China-Europe freight train trips, a year-on-year increase of 16.9 percent, accounting for nearly half of the national total. There remains significant room to improve its role in serving the domestic economy and upgrading from a “corridor economy” to a “hub economy” and an “industrial economy.” 

The overall plan calls for deeper reforms to integrate domestic and foreign trade, promoting development in border areas, and improving the well-being of people in border and ethnic regions.

It will also promote coordinated regional development and mutually reinforcing  domestic-international connectivity.

The FTZ will accelerate implementation of the land-sea intermodal “express rail clearance” model, facilitating resource sharing between Inner Mongolia’s Manzhouli Port and coastal ports including Dalian Port and Qinhuangdao Port, so as to optimize logistics networks.

Cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries will expand in agriculture, energy, and ecological governance to build transnational industrial chains. Tailored institutional innovations will strengthen Belt and Road cooperation in infrastructure connectivity, standards alignment, and cultural exchanges, better positioning itself as China’s bridgehead for northern opening up.

“In 2025, Inner Mongolia’s total foreign trade grew 6.4 percent, and notably, border residents’ mutual trade surged by 65.4 percent year on year. These figures demonstrate a solid foundation for developing Inner Mongolia into a highland of opening up along the border,” said Luo Qing, director general of the Department of Commerce of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. 

The plan includes high-value institutional reforms to upgrade goods trade, revitalize services trade, and foster innovative development of border residents’ trade.

Inner Mongolia is rich in natural resources. How can these advantages be transformed into dividends for modern industrial development?

As a national leader in agriculture, with grain output exceeding 40 billion kilograms for two consecutive years and ranking first nationwide in beef, mutton, and milk production, Inner Mongolia is solidly positioned as a “granary,” “meat base,” and “dairy hub.” It aims to build a major national base for agricultural and livestock products. The overall plan outlines measures to develop eco-friendly agriculture and animal husbandry, promote green food certification, and introduce high-quality breeds and resources.

In the energy and minerals sector, Inner Mongolia leads the country in installed capacity for new energy, coal production capacity, total power generation capacity, electricity transmitted to other regions, and reserves of 20 key minerals. Its technically exploitable wind energy resources account for about 57 percent of the national total, while solar resources make up about 21 percent.

The overall plan proposes improving policies for the consumption and utilization of green electricity, promoting trading of green electricity certificates, and refining standards for equipment recycling to upgrade the energy sector.

At the same time, Inner Mongolia is actively fostering future-oriented industries. As a national hub in China’s integrated computing power network, the region led the country in both total computing power and intelligent computing capacity in 2025. 

The overall plan outlines pilot initiatives including building edge computing centers, conducting AI large model training and applications, and expanding green computing scenarios. These will enable the FTZ to deliver fast, efficient computing services to a wider market.

Furthermore, Inner Mongolia is exploring new growth areas such as biomanufacturing and developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, turning its geographic strengths into opening up advantages and policy benefits into real economic momentum.

By Huang Xiaohui, People’s Daily

Carbon emissions are closely tied to everyday life and lie at the heart of global climate governance. For decades, most accounting systems have followed the methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which attributes emissions to the place of production — who produces, who accounts for the emissions. However, this production-based approach often overlooks the role of consumption.

“The majority of global carbon accounting systems prioritize the production perspective, overlooking consumption,” said Wei Wei, deputy director of the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 

He noted that the field has long faced challenges such as inconsistent data standards, lengthy accounting cycles, delayed updates, and limited transparency. Achieving a more scientific and equitable method for calculating carbon emissions remains a shared global challenge.

On April 8, the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute unveiled a first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence model designed to track carbon emissions across global production-side, consumption-side, and natural sources. It marks a new breakthrough in China’s efforts in this field and offers a “China solution” to longstanding global challenges in carbon accounting.

Accurate carbon accounting is fundamental. Greenhouse gas emissions are a major driver of climate change. Accurate carbon accounting serves as a key basis for fulfilling international climate commitments, underpinning global carbon pricing and influencing countries’ industrial development and competitiveness.

Traditional systems have notable limitations. For example, in 2024, wind turbines and photovoltaic products exported by China generated about 2 million tons of carbon emissions during the production phase, yet delivered approximately 350 million tons of emission reduction benefits globally during their operational phase. 

“Without a full-cycle accounting approach from production to consumption, such significant contributions remain invisible,” said Lai Xiaoming, chairman of the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange.

“The world urgently needs a more scientific and equitable accounting system, one that not only clarifies ‘who emits,’ but also ‘for whom emissions occur,'” Wei said. 

“The new model was developed precisely in response to this need. Rather than overturning existing international frameworks, it builds on the scientific consensus of the IPCC and makes carbon accounting more comprehensive, dynamic, and intelligent,” he added.

Yet calculating carbon emissions in such a comprehensive way is no easy task.

Wei identified four major challenges: the complexity of industrial sectors and high technical barriers; diverse and fragmented data sources with varying update frequencies; long accounting cycles and high labor costs in traditional methods; and insufficient precision, spatial-temporal resolution, and coordination across different accounting approaches. 

Powered by artificial intelligence, the new model addresses these challenges through an integrated three-level architecture of data, algorithms, and computing power.

At the data level, the research team independently developed eight core datasets covering key dimensions such as production-side, consumption-side, natural sources, and carbon tracing. Through collaboration with government departments, industry organizations, and enterprises, the system enables high-frequency data updates and deep integration. It has already aggregated 208 terabytes of multi-format carbon data, forming a high-quality, multidimensional “carbon knowledge base.”

At the algorithm level, the model incorporates a domain-specific large language model with 32 billion parameters, along with conversational and programming interfaces linked to an intelligent database. On this foundation, five specialized intelligent agents have been developed, capable of tasks such as digital simulation and optimization of industrial system processes, trade carbon transfer accounting, life cycle assessment, natural source accounting, and uncertainty analysis.

At the computing level, a high-performance internal server cluster works in coordination with external computing centers to optimize resource allocation and ensure flexible supply. Complex calculations that once took weeks or even months can now be completed in minutes.

According to Wei, the model is the first to integrate production-side, consumption-side, and natural sources into a unified, panoramic framework, enabling systematic and coordinated accounting across multiple methodologies.

The model has already demonstrated its value in several key application scenarios, supporting China’s role in global climate governance and its transition toward green and low-carbon development.

Zhang Xian, director of the Division of Global Environment at the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21, noted that the model’s industrial intelligent agent functions like a “digital twin factory,” simulating carbon emission scenarios under different production processes and energy structures. This helps enterprises identify key areas for emission reduction and plan their transition pathways.

Based on the new model, recalculations for 2022 show that when consumption and trade-related carbon transfers are taken into account, greenhouse gas emissions of China, the United States, and Japan were adjusted by -17.7 percent, +15.2 percent, and +7.2 percent respectively, compared with traditional production-side accounting under the IPCC framework. 

These adjustments more accurately reflect carbon emission responsibilities across global supply chains and provide a scientific basis for building a fairer and more balanced international responsibility-sharing mechanism.

The “global carbon ledger” calls for a more precise and equitable “scientific balance.” On that balance, the right to development and the responsibility to protect the planet can be more clearly measured.

By Qiang Wei, People’s Daily

As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East, oil prices are unlikely to return to pre-conflict levels in the short term.

Around the world, countries are grappling with rising energy bills. In some places, prices are surging; in others, large-scale power cuts and rationing have become unavoidable. 

Against this backdrop, international observers note that China appears comparatively composed.  This resilience is attributed not only to its robust energy reserves and diversified supply chains but also to years of steadfast progress in green energy transition. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles, in particular, has strengthened the country’s ability to withstand external shocks.

While no nation remains untouched by conflict and crisis — Chinese consumers, too, face higher fuel prices — China’s relative stability stands out. Government interventions have played a key role: to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices, China implemented refined oil price adjustments. For instance, on April 7, planned increases of 800 yuan ($117.12) and 770 yuan per ton for gasoline and diesel, respectively, were capped at 420 yuan and 400 yuan.

Some commentators, however, misinterpret China’s composure as evidence of “benefiting” from the conflict. Such cynical narratives reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of China’s long-term commitment to energy transition and its tangible achievements in this field.

China’s stability is rooted in its commitment to high-quality development. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, given its vast economic size and sustained growth, China is well aware that true energy security does not lie in how much oil it can purchase or from whom, but in reducing reliance on oil altogether. 

China has ranked first globally in installed wind power capacity for 15 consecutive years and in solar power capacity for 10 years. Its power battery production accounts for more than 60 percent of the global total. By the end of 2025, China had 43.97 million new energy vehicles in use, accounting for 12.01 percent of the country’s total vehicle fleet. 

Besides, charging and battery-swapping infrastructure now extends across both urban and rural areas, while continuous breakthroughs are being made in battery and charging technologies. In this way, China has forged a distinctive path of energy transition.

China’s composure also stems from its deep integration into the global economy. China’s development has never been inward-looking. Chinese-built photovoltaic projects have brought light to households across Pakistan; Chinese electric vehicles have become a new sight on the streets of Southeast Asian countries; and China-supported geothermal power projects are delivering clean energy deep into the African continent. By promoting inclusive global energy development, China is helping make green electricity not a “luxury” reserved for developed countries, but an accessible option for all.

China’s composure further reflects its firm commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement. Under its “dual carbon” goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, the share of non-fossil energy in China’s total energy consumption continues to rise, while carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP keep declining. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan has incorporated the share of non-fossil energy in total energy consumption as a key indicator of economic and social development. 

Last year, China formally submitted its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat, clearly outlining its ambition and concrete measures to advance green and low-carbon development.

At the recent China Development Forum 2026, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, shared a key insight drawn from the current international situation: fossil fuels such as oil and gas often rely on imports and international transportation, whereas renewable energy sources like wind and solar are locally available and require neither.

This view may sound simple, but it is grounded in China’s real-world experience and offers food for thought for the rest of the world. China’s composure is not a matter of luck, but of foresight; not accidental, but inevitable. With green development as its defining feature, China will continue to translate this composure into a steadfast pursuit of a global energy landscape that is fair, inclusive, clean, and sustainable.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy and the launch of the China-U.S. Youth Sports Exchange Events.

He emphasized that the foundation of China-U.S. relations is laid by the people, and the future of bilateral relations will be shaped by the youth, hoping that people from all walks of life in both countries, especially the younger generation, will draw wisdom and strength from history.

Xi also called on the two peoples to better understand each other through exchanges and cooperation, jointly move forward through mutual learning, tighten their bonds of amity, and make new contributions to promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

Fifty-five years ago, the older generation of leaders of China and America, with their extraordinary political wisdom and strategic vision, reopened the door to friendly exchanges between the two peoples, creating the much told stories of “the little ball being able to move the big ball.” 

Today, China-U.S. relations once again stand at a critical juncture, and the strategic choices of both countries will once again impact how the global landscape evolves. 

Both sides need to draw inspiration from history, carry forward the spirit of Ping-Pong Diplomacy, and work together to advance the cause of China-U.S. friendship, so as to create more conditions for people-to-people exchanges.

The hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in the two societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels.

Over the past year and more, despite twists and turns in bilateral relations, the peoples of both countries have consistently expressed a desire to reach out and grow closer. A young delegation from Maryland visited China for pickleball exchanges, making the sport a new bond between young people of the two countries. A U.S. youth education exchange delegation visited China, enjoying enriching and rewarding experiences. Nearly 30 youth choirs from China and the United States gathered in Fuzhou, Fujian province and Beijing to “sing for peace.” 

No matter how circumstances change, the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples will remain, and the aspiration of young people in both countries for exchanges and cooperation will not change.

Fifty-five years on, exchanges between the Chinese and American peoples, especially young people, are unfolding in a vastly different era. 

Over two years have passed since the launch of a “50,000 in five years” initiative, which aims to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over a five-year period. To date, the initiative has attracted the active participation of more than 40,000 young Americans.

From the choir in Los Angeles, the flag football team in Washington State, and the ice hockey team in Wyoming, to China’s traditional culture, science classes, and featured cuisines, young people from both countries have connected through art, competed on sports fields, and collaborated in technological innovation.

Many Chinese and American teenagers have become pen pals who stay in constant touch, and a lot of primary and secondary schools have established long-term sister-school partnerships. These efforts have further tightened the bonds of people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.

Public perception is a fundamental factor shaping relations between countries. “Experiences in youth shape a lifetime,” noted Justin O’Jack, Chief Representative of the University of Virginia’s Pacific Asia office. 

His experience studying in China 30 years ago inspired him to dedicate himself to U.S.-China student exchanges. He firmly believes that when young people from China and the United States understand and connect with each other, they can jointly shape the future of bilateral relations.

Like O’Jack, many American teenagers see their trips to China as “a life-changing journey.” During their visits, they have explored China’s rich cultural landmarks, wandered through its green mountains and clear waters, experienced cutting-edge technology, and savored its literary and artistic traditions.

They sincerely admire the warmth and friendliness of the Chinese people, the safety and order of society, the rapid development of technology, and the convenience of transportation, refreshing their understanding of China and inspiring their thoughts about the future.

In the course of history, Ping-Pong Diplomacy has become a powerful symbol of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. Today, both sides still need to renew this spirit through sincerity and concrete actions under new circumstances. 

China is committed to building more bridges and opening more pathways for people-to-people exchanges. It has introduced a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for 55 countries, including the United States, and warmly invites more American youth to take part in the “50,000 in five years” initiative. More American friends are welcome to visit China and experience for themselves a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China. 

It is hoped that the U.S. side will earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, create more opportunities for exchanges and cooperation at the people-to-people, subnational, and youth levels, and enable more individuals to become participants, beneficiaries, and supporters of China-U.S. friendship.

By Ding Yiting, People’s Daily

China has achieved a new breakthrough in offshore wind power, as the country’s deepest offshore wind project has now entered full-capacity grid operation, marking further advances in developing large-scale commercial wind farms in deep and distant seas under complex conditions.

The project, located roughly 70 kilometers off the coast of east China’s Shandong Peninsula and situated in waters between 52 and 56 meters deep, was fully connected to the grid on April 7. Developed and operated by China Huaneng Group, the wind farm comprises 42 units of 12MW wind turbines, yielding a total installed capacity of 504 megawatts.

According to Li Weidong, deputy general manager of Huaneng Shandong Power Generation Co., Ltd, assuming a household consumes 10 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, a single turbine operating at full capacity for just one hour can generate enough electricity to meet the daily needs of roughly 1,200 households.

In general, an offshore wind farm is considered a “deep-sea” one when it is situated in waters with depths of no less than 50 meters, and considered a “far-sea” one when it sits more than 65 kilometers offshore. As near-shore resources become increasingly constrained, China’s offshore wind development is accelerating toward deeper and more distant waters.

Li noted that wind speeds are higher and more stable in deep-sea areas, with annual equivalent full-load hours increasing by 15 to 20 percent compared with near-shore projects, significantly improving power generation efficiency. However, these advantages come with greater challenges in technological innovation, equipment adaptation, and cost control.

What new technologies have been applied in this project?

One key innovation is the use of a four-pile jacket foundation structure, reaching heights of up to 83.9 meters, the tallest of its kind in China. 

Currently, more than 70 percent of offshore wind projects in China use monopile foundations, which involve driving a single steel pipe into the seabed. While simple in structure and convenient for construction, monopiles are mainly suitable for shallow waters of less than 30 meters deep and offer relatively limited resistance to strong winds and ocean currents.

“The four-pile jacket foundation is like providing the turbine with a stable four-legged steel frame base,” explained Li Chunxiao, head of the project. “These four legs are connected through a truss structure, firmly anchoring the turbine to the seabed.”

Another breakthrough lies in the coordinated use of drones and artificial magnetic fields to enable “aerial observation and underwater tracking,” ensuring the successful laying of a 95.6-kilometer ultra-long submarine cable.

Traditionally, directional drilling for submarine cables uses an artificial magnetic signal source placed on a vessel to guide the underwater drill bit. However, vessel movement caused by waves and tides can reduce positioning accuracy and slow progress.

In this project, drones equipped with high-precision detection devices hover steadily and conduct patrol flights, capturing and tracking in real time the drill bit’s position and direction beneath the seabed. This creates a closed-loop navigation system combining aerial monitoring with underwater tracking. The positioning accuracy is five to six times higher than traditional methods, while overall construction time is reduced to about 1/5, effectively addressing the challenges of low efficiency and poor accuracy in ultra-long-distance submarine cable installation.

China’s cumulative installed capacity of grid-connected offshore wind power has now exceeded 47 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world for five consecutive years.

By You Yi, People’s Daily

Deep within Sichuan’s mountainous terrain at 2,800 meters elevation, an innovative computing center now operates inside tunnels adjacent to a major hydropower dam. This facility repurposed tunnels originally destined for backfilling into a naturally cooled, energy-efficient computing hub.

Operational since December 2025, the Lianghekou Hydropower Plant’s integrated computing project in China’s Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture represents the nation’s first high-altitude, subterranean intelligent computing center. Six mountain-embedded modules house 2,000 domestically produced computing chips, delivering processing power equivalent to 240 million standard office computers.

The tunnel environment provides immediate advantages: a constant 5 degrees Celsius temperature with stable humidity. “This significantly reduces energy consumption,” explains Wang Wensong, executive deputy director of the hydropower plant, gesturing toward rows of blinking servers.

Computing power, often described as the “highway system” of the digital age, is a key pillar of new infrastructure. Launched in March 2025, the Lianghekou computing project is a joint effort between Yalong River Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. under the State Development and Investment Group Co., Ltd. (SDIC Group), and the Sichuan branch of China Telecom. It explores how computing resources and power generation can be coordinated for greater efficiency.

Why choose this remote location? “Beyond reliable transport and communications, we require exceptional safety and stability,” Wang notes. The deep tunnels leverage the dam’s seismic resilience, high-altitude natural cooling, and abundant low-cost electricity. “Sharing the hydropower station’s security systems creates multiple advantages.”

Energy efficiency is measured by PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness), where lower values indicate better performance. “Our tunnel’s natural cooling maintains PUE below 1.2—among China’s most efficient facilities,” states operations head Liu Yuanshou. The center’s six modules consume approximately 1,400 kWh hourly, equivalent to powering 1,400 air conditioners simultaneously.

The computing center is part of a broader clean energy ecosystem. By the end of 2025, the Suorong solar power station, part of the Lianghekou project cluster, also began operation. Together with the Kela Phase I and Phase II solar plants and the Lianghekou hydropower plant, it forms the world’s largest integrated hydro-solar project, with a total capacity of 3 million kilowatts from hydropower plus 3 million kilowatts from solar power.

With additional support from pumped-storage hydropower, this integrated system ensures a steady, year-round supply of green electricity for the computing center. The Yalong River Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. is now working to build a 10-million-kilowatt-level comprehensive demonstration zone integrating hydropower, wind, solar, energy storage, hydrogen, and computing resources.

The generated computing resources extend beyond the mountains. Transmitted via optical fiber across hundreds of kilometers, it reaches Mount Haizi in Daocheng county, where a major national scientific facility, the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), is located.

“Once the project was completed, we began working with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to provide computing support for LHAASO,” Wang said. “Using AI, we can process particle physics data more efficiently.” 

In this way, clean hydropower is transformed into the computational strength needed to explore the origins of cosmic rays, supporting cutting-edge scientific research.

As operations stabilize, the center now develops specialized AI models for weather forecasting and industrial applications. China Telecom utilizes it for internal needs while offering external services via a computing resource platform — serving academic research to smart city initiatives alike.

Yalong River’s flowing waters now power computation driving diverse industries. “We’ll replicate this model using Lianghekou’s tunnel resources,” Wang concludes. “Our mission is to integrate Sichuan’s renewable energy strengths with advanced computing clusters through direct green electricity supply systems.”

By Guo Guanhua, Wang Jie

A significant shift is underway in China’s consumer landscape, with emotional fulfillment emerging as a powerful driver of economic growth. This trend, creating a new frontier — or “blue ocean” — for consumption, is characterized by consumers prioritizing emotional satisfaction over purely material utility. Purchases such as limited-edition seasonal beverages, solo travel experiences, and meticulously crafted collectibles exemplify this movement.

“For me, buying a new co-branded bubble tea during the week and attending a traditional craft workshop on the weekend is a great way to unwind,” explained Qiao Ziyan, a Beijing-based professional born in the 1990s. Her sentiment resonates with many young consumers.

According to a 2025 report on Gen-Z emotion-driven consumption jointly released by the Shanghai Youth and Children Research Center and other institutions, the top five categories of commodities that deliver emotional value include: physical goods such as plush toys, scented products, and stress-relief gadgets; experiential spending like concerts, stand-up comedy shows, and psychological counseling; social consumption; digital consumption such as avatars and virtual pets; and IP- or co-branded purchases.

Globally, emotion-driven consumption has already spread across multiple sectors, from designer toys and retail to culture and tourism, pets, technology, and dining, emerging as a powerful new engine of consumption growth.

Liu Shengzhi, a communication professor at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, said that consumer values have shifted from practicality and frugality to emotional experience. Young people today are more willing to spend money on rewarding themselves and fulfilling their emotional needs.

Today, emotion-driven consumption is constantly giving rise to new scenarios and business models.

Take Perler beads as an example. Once seen as a children’s educational activity, this craft has quickly become a hit among young people. It is highly social, as people make creations for themselves or give them as gifts to friends.

Data shows that since 2026, searches for multiple keywords related to Perler beads have surged more than 10 times year-on-year, and transaction orders have doubled. People aged 20-25 account for the largest share of searches for Perler beads experiences, at nearly 40 percent. 

Meanwhile, searches for keywords related to pet photography have risen by over 40 percent year-on-year. Those aged 25-35 make up more than half of all searches, becoming the main consumer group.

Simultaneously, “healing travel” has gained immense popularity, as individuals seek respite from urban pressures in mountains, lakes, ancient towns, and villages, finding solace in nature and simpler lifestyles. AI emotional companionship services are also booming, using technology to break the limits of time and space and offer accessible emotional relief.

New experiences such as intangible cultural heritage handcraft workshops and pet companionship have also gained traction.

Together, these new formats continue to enrich the scope of emotion-driven consumption, catering to the personalized needs of different groups.

In 2025, China’s mini-drama sector experienced explosive growth, attracting nearly 700 million domestic users and achieving a projected market size exceeding 100 billion yuan ($14.63 billion), doubling the figure in 2024. Popular filming locations of these micro-dramas have sparked a “micro-drama-themed tourism” trend, boosting local boosted consumption and driving upgrades in related industries.

“Cute, adorable WAKUKU, the fresh and stylish SiiNONO, and ZIYULI with its Hanfu-inspired elements… these trendy toys are hard to resist,” said Zhang Wenbing, a Gen-Z consumer, at a pop-up event near THE BOX shopping mall in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, where he purchased several items.

Emotion-driven consumption has solidified into a major economic driver. According to iiMedia Research, China’s “emotion-driven economy” reached 2.3 trillion yuan in 2024 and is expected to exceed 4.5 trillion yuan by 2029. 

The ACGN (Anime, Comics, Games, Novels) derivative economy, featuring designer toys and figurines as flagship products, has shown outstanding performance. It achieved a market size of 168.9 billion yuan in 2024, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 40.63 percent.

“The ACGN derivative economy revolves around IP symbols as a core connection,” explained Zhou Zhiqiang, a professor at Nankai University’s School of Literature. “It transforms emotional resonance from the virtual world into tangible consumption. Through activities like collecting and social interaction, it precisely meets Generation Z’s core needs for emotional connection, self-expression, and a sense of belonging.”

This consumption trend is also reshaping commercial spaces, industrial ecosystems, and employment patterns. Major cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou have revitalized older shopping centers by introducing ACGN stores, night schools, and stress-relief spaces, boosting revenue per square meter by two to four times.

According to e-commerce data from short video platform Douyin, consumption trends focused on emotional value are fueling a unique business phenomenon known as interest-driven industrial clusters, boosted by engaging content that stimulates consumer desire. 

Over the past year, more than 9,800 merchants in these clusters have grown their sales from zero to over one million yuan, while over 200 have expanded from one million to more than 100 million yuan. 

The platform is now home to 491 interest-driven industrial clusters with annual sales surpassing 100 million yuan. Among them, 108 are based in county-level regions, accounting for 1/4 of total cluster sales.

Data from Xianyu, China’s leading secondhand and lifestyle services platform, shows that new occupations centered on emotional support have seen strong growth. 

Over the past year, the number of sellers offering emotional companionship services rose by 42.91 percent year on year, with their per capita income increasing by 7.43 percent. 

In total, 96 new types of “emotional support occupations” have emerged, ranging from medical accompanists and pet sitters to emotional healing therapists, greatly expanding new employment channels.

By Zhang Wenhao, People’s Daily

As spring arrives, birdsong fills the air in the Henan Dongzhai National Nature Reserve in Luoshan county, Xinyang, central China’s Henan province. Several crested ibises, with their distinctive red beaks, spread their wings and glided gracefully over the lush mountains and lucid waters.

Early each morning, Cai Dejing, deputy director of the reserve’s crested ibis breeding station, begins his field patrols. The breeding season, spanning January to June, is his busiest period. He spends long hours meticulously documenting nesting, incubation, and chick-rearing behaviors.

“This year, nesting began four days earlier than last year. That’s a good sign, as it usually means a higher breeding success rate,” Cai explained.

The reserve mainly protects rare forest birds and their habitats in mountainous areas. Established to protect rare forest birds and their mountain habitats, the reserve hosts 356 bird species, 74 of which are nationally protected. It attained national-level status in 2001.

The crested ibis, known as the “Oriental Gem,” is critically endangered. Dongzhai shares the crucial north-south climate transition zone found in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province — the original rediscovery site for the species. Benefiting from a warm, humid climate and a healthy forest ecosystem, Dongzhai was officially designated China’s first crested ibis reintroduction site in 2006.

In 2007, 17 crested ibises were introduced. Reserve staff provided meticulous care, including scheduled feeding and detailed records. These efforts yielded significant results: the reserve has since bred 344 ibises in captivity. Crucially, the wild population now produces over 100 chicks annually, with the total wild population exceeding 700 birds.

“Crested ibises are highly sensitive to environmental conditions. The establishment and steady growth of its wild population are clear signs of the sound ecological foundation in Luoshan county, which provides an ideal home for crested ibises to thrive and reproduce from generation to generation,” said Li Yongqiang, director of the Reserve.

At the breeding station stands a striking structure, a circular aviary. Inside, it recreates a near-natural habitat, complete with ponds, wetlands, streams, rice paddies, dry land, and trees.

“This enclosure stands 32 meters tall and spans 2,850 square meters, designed to mimic the crested ibis’s natural habitat. Here, the birds practice flying, foraging and evading predators to gradually adapt to the wild,” Cai explained.

He noted that introducing breeding stock, captive breeding and pre-release training only form part of the conservation chain; the actual release into the wild is the critical step that measures success.

In October 2013, Dongzhai held its first release, with 34 crested ibises, raised and trained under human care, taking flight into the open sky. Since then, six more release activities have been hosted, with a total of 133 birds returning to the wild.

Dongzhai’s first release occurred in October 2013, with 34 human-raised birds taking flight. Six subsequent releases have returned a total of 133 ibises to the wild. To monitor the population, a dedicated team conducts year-round observations. Each new bird is ringed for identification and tracked using binoculars and satellite devices.

Monitoring data clearly documents the population’s growth: 56 chicks were naturally bred in 2022, 89 in 2023, and the number surpassed 100 for the first time in 2024, remaining above 100 again in 2025.

“This shows that the population of crested ibises in the Dabie Mountains has fully adapted to the wild and achieved self-sustaining reproduction and expansion,” Li said.

The ibis’s return has spurred significant socioeconomic benefits. A thriving bird-watching economy has taken shape. The reserve has trained a team of more than 30 professional bird guides, established 69 bird-watching and photography sites, and developed 66 lodging and dining facilities. Each year, the area receives over 30,000 birdwatchers, including more than 10,000 dedicated bird photographers.

The bird-watching business now generates revenue of over 50 million yuan ($7.32 million) annually, creating more than 2,000 jobs, with each employee earning an additional 20,000 yuan per year on average.

“We used to live off the mountains. Now, by guarding these ‘national treasures,’ our lives keep getting better and better,” a local villager said.

As incomes have risen, so too has environmental awareness. Wang Ke, head of the breeding station, noted that the reserve regularly organizes public education activities. Local residents not only actively protect the ibises but also take part in monitoring efforts reporting nesting sites, roosting locations, and breeding activities to the reserve.

The reserve has also established long-term partnerships with institutions such as Beijing Normal University, Beijing Forestry University, and the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Together, they conduct research on the crested ibis’s genetic mechanisms, reproductive behavior, and disease prevention, forming a virtuous cycle in which scientific research supports conservation and conservation, in turn, advances research.

In December 2022, Luoshan county shared Dongzhai’s experience in crested ibis conservation with the world at the second phase of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).

“Wild-born crested ibis chicks have exceeded 100 for two consecutive years. The wild population is expected to reach 1,000,” Cai said.

By Li Maoying, People’s Daily

The recent Qingming Festival holiday saw a surge in visitors at the Pu’er Elephant Boutique Coffee Estate, located in Nanbanghe village of Liushun township, Simao district, Pu’er, southwest China’s Yunnan province. Tourists traveled from across the country to experience the estate and sample its locally produced coffee.

Chen Pingxian, the founder of the manor, expertly prepared hand-brewed coffee for guests, inviting them to taste beans freshly roasted on-site. These beans are cultivated and processed locally, ensuring exceptional flavor.

After each brew, she carefully collected the coffee grounds. Once regarded as waste, these grounds are now seen as a valuable resource to be fully utilized. 

Chen’s estate houses a 13 hectares coffee plantation of its own. Through partnerships with neighboring coffee farmers, the total cultivation area exceeds 260 hectares. The estate sells roughly 20 tons of green coffee beans each year, drawing coffee lovers from all over China.

As the aroma of coffee at the estate has grown stronger, so too has the challenge of dealing with coffee grounds.

“In the past, we simply threw them away. On hot days, they would develop an odor if left too long, and even draw complaints from nearby farmers,” Chen explained. In Yunnan, where coffee production is substantial, how to handle coffee grounds has become a common challenge for industry practitioners.

In 2025, Yunnan produced 138,900 tons of green coffee beans. Each ton of coffee beans generates about 650 kilograms of coffee grounds. In other words, a single 300-milliliter cup of coffee produces roughly 13 grams of grounds. This massive output represents significant disposal pressure, but also enormous potential for resource recovery.

How could this resource be utilized? Chen dedicated considerable time to studying the properties of coffee grounds. She discovered their subtle natural aroma and fine texture, leading her to an innovative idea: transform them into eco-friendly, meaningful cultural and creative souvenirs.

She began collecting and drying the grounds, transforming them into scented tablets, bracelets, and small decorative items. To her surprise, these products, infused with everyday charm and environmental awareness, quickly became popular among visitors. Many tourists now not only enjoy a cup of coffee but also take part in hands-on experiences, making their own coffee-ground crafts.

Seeking further breakthroughs, Chen found crucial support when contacted by a team from Tianjin University of Commerce, known as “Feitong Xiaoke.”

According to Li Jiarong, leader of the team, research has shown that many coffee estates in Yunnan struggle with coffee grounds disposal and low value-added utilization. Landfilling  grounds generates methane, while incineration releases carbon dioxide and particulate matter. Recycling these by-products, however, helps create a closed-loop ecological system and cuts down on pollution and resource waste.

Using a technique combining enzyme hydrolysis with microwave treatment, the team significantly increased the retention rate of chlorogenic acid in coffee grounds from 30 percent to 75 percent, enabling high-value utilization. 

“We can use coffee grounds to make cups and furniture, and even extract coffee essential oil. Our goal is to empower rural industries with technology,” Li explained.

Li added that aerobic composting can significantly reduce carbon emissions. When combined with biofuel for co-composting, processing 1 ton of coffee grounds can cut emissions by about 100 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

“We also aim to pilot organic fertilizers made from coffee grounds to feed back into coffee plantations, reducing chemical fertilizer use and making coffee more natural. At the same time, we plan to connect with carbon-inclusive systems to make emission reductions more measurable,” Li said.

Currently, the team has designed a closed-loop model in Yunnan featuring “dual urban-rural collection networks, centralized processing and re-manufacturing, and diversified sales.” Plans are underway to establish eco-recycling stations in Pu’er and collaborate with local manufacturers for large-scale processing. 

The team has also signed a “three-day collection agreement” with coffee shops and introduced an innovative “carbon credit circulation mechanism,” allowing urban users to exchange donated coffee grounds for product vouchers, creating a win-win outcome.

Chen expressed strong optimism for the collaboration: “We hope to set up a small processing facility at the estate, learn from university partners, and cultivate local talent.” She also plans to jointly develop more coffee-themed cultural products, embedding richer coffee culture into each item.

Beyond the efforts of Pu’er Elephant Boutique Coffee Estate and the team from Tianjin University of Commerce, Ximeng Wa autonomous county in Pu’er has also explored a distinctive path for recycling coffee grounds. 

Partnering with relevant enterprises and overcoming technical challenges, the county has turned discarded coffee grounds into fine, soft yarn. This yarn is then innovatively used in traditional Wa brocade weaving. This approach adds an eco-friendly dimension to a millennia-old craft, achieves deeper resource utilization of coffee grounds, and broadens income channels for local communities.

From discarded waste, coffee grounds have been transformed into a valuable resource that boosts local incomes. In the future, products made from recycled coffee grounds are expected to reach more people, extending the story and fragrance of each cup of coffee far into daily life.