Nigeria Times

By Dong Siyu, Pan Junqiang, People’s Daily

Located along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Beijing has become one of the world’s most biodiverse major cities. The Chinese capital is now home to 531 recorded bird species, more than 1/3 of all bird species found in China — earning it the reputation as a true “city for birds.”

Why has the number of bird species in Beijing continued to rise in recent years? And how is the city preserving its rich avian diversity? 

At Changzinying Wetland Park in Beijing’s Daxing district, dense greenery surrounds clear waterways filled with birdsong. So far, 162 species of wild birds have been recorded in the park, including 25 species under second-class or higher national protection. More than 5,000 migratory geese and ducks spend the winter there each year.

In March this year, park staff spotted several common pochards feeding and resting in the park’s wetlands.

“Common pochards are highly sensitive to habitat conditions and only live in clean waters with high water quality and abundant aquatic vegetation,” said Chen Zhihui, a forestry official with the industrial development service center of Changzinying township, Daxing district. “Their appearance shows that the park’s water quality has improved significantly and that the ecosystem can now provide sufficient food resources.”

The park has created a self-sustaining habitat through a series of ecological measures. These include expanding green ecological spaces, planting food- and nectar-producing species such as hawthorn, mulberry, alfalfa and wild roses along forest belts and waterfront transition zones, preserving large areas of reeds and wetland grasslands, and adopting a three-stage water purification system combining sedimentation, biological treatment and cascading water filtration.

“With the upgrading of the forest-lake-grassland ecosystem, more and more rare bird species that once appeared only temporarily are now staying year-round and even breeding here,” Chen said.

To reduce human disturbance, the park has established dedicated biodiversity conservation zones. Artificial shelters made from stones and fallen branches have been installed around forest edges and wetland areas, while ecological monitoring systems enable discreet wildlife observation.

Since 2012, Beijing has launched two large-scale afforestation campaigns covering more than 667 square kilometers. The city has also built more than 100 urban and suburban parks, established 79 nature reserves and designated 47 important wetlands at the municipal level, creating a relatively comprehensive and widely distributed network of protected natural areas. These efforts provide birds with reliable conditions for feeding, nesting and migration.

The city has also created natural ecological corridors and installed artificial nests to provide shelter for birds. Carefully designed vegetation belts and fish restocking programs have further strengthened local food chains.

At the same time, Beijing has intensified habitat protection efforts along key points of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including Miyun Reservoir and Yeyahu Wetland in Yanqing district, providing safe stopover sites for nearly three million migratory birds every year.

Bird conservation is now increasingly integrated into Beijing’s urban planning and infrastructure development as well.

“For example, the Yongding River restoration project was deliberately adjusted to protect nesting habitats for sand martins, allowing their population to grow from just dozens to more than 300 birds,” said Jiang Hongxing, director of China’s National Bird Banding Center.

At Cuihu Wetland, planners preserved dense trees on an island in the middle of a lake to create nesting grounds for grey herons and cormorants. The site now contains more than 300 nests and has become known locally as a “heron community.”

As bird populations continue to grow, public enthusiasm for bird conservation in Beijing has also become increasingly strong.

Early in the morning at Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park in Fengtai district, more than 20 birdwatchers can often be seen quietly waiting with cameras in hand for birds to skim across the water.

“Most of them are nearby residents who enjoy birdwatching and bird photography,” said Guo Wei, an operations manager at the park. “We invited 15 of them to form a volunteer birdwatching team and established with them a long-term cooperation mechanism.”

The team has offered suggestions on park construction and ecological protection while also gently reminding visitors not to disturb birds unintentionally.

During this year’s bird protection week, districts across Beijing rolled out distinctive activities.

In Changping district, themed publicity was held at Baifuquan Park. Authorities released birdwatching maps, arranged popular science lectures and bird nest donation events, and mobilized joint conservation efforts through the forest chief system. 

Huairou district organized science outreach and legal awareness campaigns on bird protection. Shunyi district hosted birdwatching competitions for primary and secondary school students, helping foster environmental awareness among younger generations.

Wild birds are widely regarded as an important indicator of a city’s ecological health, while biodiversity forms the foundation of sustainable urban development.

“If urban planning leaves a little more room for wilderness, if engineering projects allow a little more room for nature, if river restoration incorporates more ecological thinking, and if society works together to protect birds, cities can truly become shared homes where humans and birds coexist harmoniously,” Jiang said.

By Wang Pei, People’s Daily

For many adults with intellectual disabilities, one of the hardest challenges after growing up is finding stable work and living independently. In Qingdao, east China’s Shandong province, a small car wash center is trying to offer a different possibility by helping young people with autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome gain job skills, confidence and a greater sense of self-reliance through steady employment. 

As a car slowly pulled into Xihan’er Carwash in Qingdao’s Shibei district, it was soon surrounded by a group of car wash attendants. Tall in stature, they wore innocent smiles and had clear eyes, brimming with childlike purity. Among them was 26-year-old Wu Jilin, who immediately picked up cleaning cloths and got to work alongside his teammates. 

“These young people have intellectual development disorders, including cerebral palsy, autism or Down syndrome,” explained Cui Yonglan, director of the Chunyu employment assistance center for persons with disabilities, which is based in Shibei district.

“Although many of them are already in their twenties, some have cognitive abilities similar to children aged five or six. Their families often worry about how they will live independently in the future. Through vocational training, they’ve finally found jobs here,” Cui told People’s Daily.

In 2023, Cui founded the first Xihan’er Carwash outlet in Qingdao, creating employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. In less than three years, the carwash has hired 15 employees and cleaned more than 7,000 vehicles.

Wu was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. Children with autism often struggle to build emotional connections and face challenges in language development and social interaction.

His mother, Li Dongmei, spent years coping with grief, confusion and self-doubt. After extensive research, she learned that while autism cannot be completely cured, early intervention can greatly improve outcomes. She eventually quit her job to accompany her son at a special education school.

Tasks that most children might learn in days could take Wu months or even years to master independently.

“If he can’t live independently, what will happen when we’re gone?” Li said. It is a question shared by many parents of children with autism.

A turning point came when Li met Cui during an activity organized by the Chunyu center. For the first time, she began to imagine a future in which her son could work and support himself.

At the center, Wu started with simple repetitive tasks such as threading cords and folding envelopes. Gradually, he found work that suited him. As his confidence grew, Li herself joined the center and became a vocational training instructor helping other people with intellectual disabilities.

Wu has developed a passion for cars since childhood, so when the Xihan’er Carwash opened, he became one of its first employees.

“I never dared even imagine he could have a job and support himself,” said Li. “We don’t expect him to make a lot of money. Just having steady work and being able to contribute to society already means happiness to us.”

While washing cars, Wu often repeats instructions softly to himself. A movement that most people can learn after watching a few times took him three months of repeated practice to master.

At the car wash, every task — from handling water hoses to cleaning tires, wiping doors and vacuuming interiors — is broken down into small, manageable steps. Trainers patiently guide employees through the same routines again and again.

Gradually, Wu has picked up the skills of car washing, and regularly shares his day with his mother after work, telling her he has cleaned the steering wheel without honking the horn and polished the car till it shone brightly.

Watching her son grow increasingly confident, Li could not be happier. “Since he started working, his communication skills have improved a lot, and he is always eager to tell me about his day,” she said.

The Chunyu center, located a few hundred meters from the carwash, was founded by Cui in 2014. 

“I sustained a work-related injury at the age of 25, which left me with a permanent impairment,” Cui recalled. “It was devastating, and I cried almost every day.” Later, with support from the local federation of persons with disabilities, Cui gradually rebuilt her confidence and decided to help others facing similar challenges.

Employment has long been one of the greatest difficulties for people with intellectual disabilities. Over the years, the Chunyu center has experimented with different employment models, working with more than a dozen companies to create tailored positions based on each individual’s abilities. Today, the center has more than 20 instructors and serves over 100 people with intellectual disabilities.

With support from the Qingdao municipal government, the local federation of persons with disabilities and social welfare organizations, the Xihan’er Carwash officially opened in October 2023.

Dou Yunfeng, manager of the partner carwash business, admitted he initially had doubts. “At first, I worried whether they could really do the job well,” he said. “But they learned much faster than expected. They are incredibly conscientious. If the rule says a wheel must be wiped three times, they will do it exactly three times, never less. Customers really like them, and some people travel from far away just to have their cars washed here.”

Sometimes customers try to leave extra money as tips, but the employees politely refuse.

“We can’t accept it. Rules are rules,” they insist gently but firmly. Rather than asking for sympathy or special treatment, they are earning respect through their own work.

They wash more than 10 cars a day on average. The number rises to over 30 on weekends and 50 on holidays.

“I like washing cars,” Wu said. “I want to make every car shiny.” 

Inside this modest carwash, Wu and his coworkers are doing more than cleaning vehicles — they are slowly building brighter, more independent futures for themselves.

By Shen Shaotie, Yin Xiaoyu, Jiang Xiaodan, People’s Daily

Latest figures released by China’s National Medical Products Administration show that China has approved 19 innovative drugs for market launch so far this year, 15 of which are homegrown.

In the first quarter alone, overseas licensing deals for Chinese innovative drugs exceeded $60 billion, nearly half of the more than $130 billion recorded for all of 2025, setting a new historical high.

Behind the rapid growth in overseas licensing transactions lies increasing international recognition of China’s capabilities and quality in innovative drug research and development.

How do these new medicines perform in real clinical settings? And how can the country accelerate pharmaceutical innovation while upholding rigorous quality standards? To find answers, People’s Daily had field interviews.

An elderly woman surnamed Zhang from Taizhou, east China’s Jiangsu province, suffered a sudden stroke. Doctors discovered extensive blockage in blood vessels in her brain, and her condition was complicated enough to require immediate transfer to Suzhou, a larger city in the province, for thrombectomy surgery.

Every minute after the onset of acute ischemic stroke leads to the loss of roughly 1.9 million brain cells. The golden time for thrombectomy is the first 4.5 hours after the onset, while the journey between Taizhou and Suzhou lasts about two hours.

To save critical time during transportation and prevent the patient’s condition from deteriorating, Li Jingwei, president of the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, recommended a combined approach: providing thrombolysis during transit alongside edaravone-dexborneol sublingual tablets for neuroprotection.

“The surgery was a complete success. After discharge, she kept taking the medication for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant care,” Li said. “She recently returned for follow-up examinations and has recovered remarkably well.”

In the past, mortality rates for this type of patient were extremely high, Li told People’s Daily, adding that nowadays, this innovative drug is playing an important role in improving recovery.

Stroke remains the leading cause of death and disability among Chinese residents. More than 60 percent of stroke patients in China suffer from ischemic stroke, yet treatment options have long remained limited.

Approved for market launch in December 2024, the edaravone and dexborneol sublingual tablets were developed by pharmaceutical company Simcere and are primarily used for neuroprotective treatment during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, helping improve rescue success rates and patient prognosis.

A 76-year-old resident surnamed Chen in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province has long suffered from hypertension and diabetes. He recently developed a high fever and severe cough. Doctors at Nanfang Hospital under Southern Medical University diagnosed him with influenza A.

Chen’s family members said that conventional flu medications previously caused either severe gastrointestinal reactions or unsatisfactory results.

Peng Jie, chief physician in infectious diseases, quickly decided to prescribe an innovative drug targeting the PB2 subunit of the influenza A virus, onradivir tablets.

“He took the medicine in the morning, and his fever broke by evening,” said a family member.

Influenza A has repeatedly triggered global public health crises, while drug resistance to conventional treatments continues to grow. Clinical demand for more effective, lower-resistance treatment options has therefore become increasingly urgent.

Developed over a decade by multiple institutions in Guangdong, onradivir tablets were approved for sale in May 2025.

“Clinical data for the drug has been impressive,” Peng said. “It offers strong safety performance, and there’s no need to adjust dosage for patients with mild to moderate kidney impairment, which provides additional protection for high-risk groups.”

In recent years, China’s innovative drug industry has made rapid progress, providing more treatment options for patients suffering from major diseases such as stroke and malignant tumors.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China approved 230 innovative drugs, representing substantial growth. Among them, 76 innovative drugs were approved in 2025 alone, with more than 80 percent developed domestically. Advanced therapies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies and antibody-drug conjugates, have continued to emerge.

On Feb. 5 this year, serplulimab injection, an anti-tumor drug independently developed in China, was licensed to Japan’s Eisai Co., Ltd. In December 2025, an oral small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and products containing the active ingredient were licensed to Pfizer. Both innovative drugs were developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Fosun Pharma.

Since 2019, Fosun Pharma has received approval for more than 10 innovative drugs. The company has also strengthened overseas licensing efforts, sealing seven licensing and co-development agreements in 2025 with a potential total value exceeding $4 billion.

“Strong innovation results come from sustained strategic investment,” said Wang Xingli, co-president of Fosun Pharma.

In 2025, the company invested 4.30 billion yuan ($634.68 million) in innovative drug-related research and development (R&D), up 15.98 percent year-on-year and accounting for more than 80 percent of pharmaceutical R&D expenditure.

Developing innovative drugs is widely known to be costly and risky. On average, bringing a new innovative drug to market requires around 1 billion yuan in investment, approximately 10 years of development and carries only around a 10 percent success rate.

In recent years, innovative pharmaceutical companies have continued increasing R&D investment. Financial reports from listed innovative drug companies show that R&D expenditure typically accounts for more than 15 percent of revenue and exceeds 25 percent in some companies.

To further promote innovative drug development and market entry, the National Medical Products Administration has continued advancing reforms to the drug review and approval system.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 369 applications were included in the breakthrough therapy program, 143 drug registration applications received conditional approval, and 554 applications were fast-tracked via priority review channels.

By Deng Jianyang, People’s Daily

After eight years of dedicated efforts, China has historically eliminated absolute poverty. Following a five-year transition period, the country has successfully completed the task of consolidating and expanding its poverty alleviation achievements while advancing rural revitalization, firmly upholding the bottom line of preventing any large-scale relapse into poverty.

China’s victory in the battle against poverty enabled the country to achieve the poverty reduction goals set under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. 

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), all of China’s 832 counties that had shaken off poverty had cultivated two to three leading industries, generating a combined output value exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan ($250.77 billion). 

Growth in per capita disposable income among rural residents in formerly impoverished counties has outpaced the national rural average for five consecutive years, making the foundations of poverty alleviation more secure and its achievements more sustainable.

The transformation of rural China has provided fresh insights into solving development challenges facing humanity. 

In recent years, books including Up and Out of Poverty and Eradicating Poverty have been translated into multiple languages, reaching readers across the globe. China’s fight against poverty has achieved extraordinary results: it has blazed a uniquely Chinese path to poverty reduction and formed a distinct set of anti-poverty theories rooted in its own real-world practices.

In Mbale, Uganda, a Luban Workshop was jointly built by Tianjin Polytechnic College and Uganda Technical College Elgon. Backed by the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, it has provided skills training to over 1,200 personnel for the park since 2020.

In Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia, smart vegetable greenhouses under an agricultural technology and poverty alleviation project backed by China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region have helped local vegetable farmers bid farewell to weather-reliant farming. They now grow crops scientifically and enjoy steady yields.

With tangible cooperation projects taking firm hold, China’s experience in poverty reduction has continued to empower other developing nations, strengthening their resolve and ability to eliminate poverty.

Former Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova once observed that if China could achieve this, other developing countries could do so as well, which is a key lesson China’s poverty eradication campaign has offered the world.

China’s experience demonstrates that with perseverance, determination and sustained effort, poverty can not only be overcome but also prevented from re-emerging.

Among China’s poverty reduction concepts and practices, targeted poverty alleviation has become one of the most widely recognized experiences internationally.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the targeted poverty alleviation is the most effective way to help impoverished populations and deliver on the ambitious goals set under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adding that China’s experience offers valuable reference for other developing countries.

“China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy, tailored to local conditions and individual circumstances, has brought tangible improvements to the lives of impoverished populations and offers valuable lessons for African countries seeking solutions to poverty,” said Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

The concept of targeted poverty alleviation has gained growing traction around the world.

Uzbekistan has actively drawn on China’s experience: it set up dedicated government bodies for poverty relief and welfare monitoring, ramped up entrepreneurship training for low-income groups, introduced household-based assistance records, and launched training programs for poverty relief officials. 

By the end of last year, Uzbekistan’s poverty rate had fallen to 6 percent and is expected to decline further to 4.5 percent in 2026.

Thailand’s Khon Kaen province has also studied China’s targeted poverty alleviation experience and developed locally tailored paired assistance programs, shifting from simple transfer-based support toward capacity-building approaches and achieving more targeted poverty reduction outcomes.

A local official noted that China has not only helped the world understand the importance of targeted poverty alleviation and see that ending poverty is achievable, but has also provided the confidence and experience needed to tackle poverty.

Eradicating poverty is a shared goal for all countries. By promoting global cooperation through concrete actions, China contributes to building a fairer world of shared development, one where poverty becomes a thing of the past and better aspirations become reality.

China’s poverty reduction experience continues to resonate globally. China and the United Nations Development Programme jointly launched the Global Partnership for Poverty Alleviation and Development, and established a global poverty reduction online knowledge sharing database, which now includes poverty reduction cases from more than 100 developing countries and promotes global sharing of experience.

Development-oriented assistance is also contributing to global poverty reduction efforts. Through South-South agricultural cooperation programs, foreign agricultural assistance projects and demonstration poverty reduction cooperation initiatives, China is helping more developing countries strengthen independent development capabilities and explore poverty reduction paths suited to their national conditions.

China’s hybrid rice technology has been introduced to nearly 70 countries across five continents, while its Juncao technology has taken root in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

Looking ahead, China will continue contributing to global poverty reduction. By strengthening exchanges and cooperation with countries around the world, China will work together with others to advance international poverty reduction and build a better world free from poverty and marked by shared prosperity.

By Liu He, People’s Daily

Chinese cultural intellectual properties (IPs) are gaining widespread popularity across Europe, crossing geographical boundaries to win over local audiences. Spanning designer toys, animated films and video games, these cultural products have become fresh bridges connecting European audiences, especially young generations, with Chinese culture.

At the first store of Chinese toy brand Pop Mart in Germany, located near Berlin’s Alexanderplatz, customers have streamed through the doors since the store’s opening last year. Among its most sought-after products is Labubu, which has become a viral hit and a trending topic across local social media.

“I first got interested after watching Labubu unboxing clips on TikTok,” said a 23-year-old college student Anlist from Hamburg. 

“There’s something thrilling about the surprise when you open a blind box. It makes you want to give it a try yourself.” Anlist added.

Anlist is far from alone. Countless young European consumers discover Chinese cultural products through social media recommendations.

According to data from the Deutscher Verband der Spielwarenindustrie, or German Association of the Toy Industry, IP-themed toys account for around 28 percent of Germany’s toy market, while demand for collectible toys continues to rise.

The trend closely aligns with the growing phenomenon of “kidulting” — adults embracing childlike hobbies and consumption patterns.

These evolving consumer habits have provided fertile ground for Chinese cultural IPs to expand in Europe.

Interviewees shared various reasons why they are fond of Chinese IP products. Some said they love collecting these figurines, for these toys’ quirky yet endearing looks win them over at first sight. Some pointed out that designed as bag charms, blind box accessories can be carried outdoors. Matched with outfits, they look stylish and help people showcase their unique personalities. Though their reasons vary, all consumers share the same eager anticipation of getting their favorite pieces.

The growing popularity of Chinese cultural IPs has translated directly into rising sales. Pop Mart, for example, reported total revenue of 37.12 billion yuan ($5.48 billion) in 2025, up 184.7 percent year-on-year. Revenue from Europe surged even faster, rising by 506.3 percent.

Labubu’s success is just one example of a broader trend. Today, original Chinese IPs in animation, film and online gaming are increasingly becoming gateways for European audiences to learn about and engage with China.

In 2025, Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 topped the global animation box office with worldwide revenue reaching nearly 15.95 billion yuan ($2.36 billion).

German audiences spoke highly of the production, noting that the film features breathtaking visuals and a dramatic plot, which has won them over. They also admitted that the exceptional craftsmanship of modern Chinese animation has greatly reshaped their views. These comments speak volumes about the charm of Chinese animated IPs.

A European film critic commented that Ne Zha 2 successfully blends the essence of traditional Chinese culture with modern storytelling, adding that it preserves the unique charm of Eastern culture while also matching global audience expectations, which allows European viewers to experience the depth of Chinese culture while enjoying the film.

Video games have emerged as another important vehicle carrying Chinese cultural IPs overseas. 

At Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming expo held in Cologne, Germany, Chinese gaming products attracted considerable attention.

Chinese video game development studio Game Science unveiled Black Myth: Zhong Kui during the exhibition’s closing showcase trailer presentation, positioning it as the next major title following Black Myth: Wukong. It marked the first time a Chinese game appeared as part of the finale presentation at a top-tier international gaming exhibition.

The popularity of Chinese games has also fueled growing curiosity about Chinese culture among younger Europeans. On overseas gaming forums, players have actively explored Chinese classics while discussing games. Many have begun reading works such as Journey to the West, searching for historical and cultural materials, and discussing concepts such as heavenly palaces and dragon kingdoms, demonstrating growing interest in traditional Chinese culture.

The global rise of Chinese cultural IPs is far from accidental. Rather, it reflects the emergence of an increasingly complete ecosystem that integrates design, manufacturing, content creation, cultural adaptation and consumer psychology into a new model for global expansion.

German retail expert Ghalia Boustani believes Chinese companies have achieved “emotional resonance and cultural identification” with overseas consumers through IP exports.

She argued that this approach accurately matches younger consumers’ demand for individuality and emotional connection, an important reason why Chinese cultural IPs have gained traction across Europe.

Innovative storytelling formats, advanced technology and superior production quality are also key driving forces.

Ne Zha 2 took five and a half years to complete, involving more than 4,000 creators and nearly 2,000 visual effects shots, with attention devoted to even the smallest details.

The development of Black Myth: Wukong spanned more than six years, with the team investing heavily in art production to deliver premium visuals and performance.

Behind these successes stands an increasingly mature industrial ecosystem. From IP creation and product manufacturing to marketing and distribution, coordination across the entire value chain has provided strong support for bringing Chinese cultural products overseas.

Pop Mart illustrates this strength well. The company collaborates with artists worldwide and operates a diverse portfolio of IPs with different styles and audiences.

Supported by increasingly solid industrial capabilities and a vast domestic market, China is gradually becoming an important hub for original global creative IPs. More homegrown creations will continue to travel across borders and delight audiences worldwide.

By Xu Peiyu

China has cemented its position as the world’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) market, leading global production and sales for 11 consecutive years. At the heart of this achievement lies a formidable force: the nation’s young engineering talent. What drives China’s remarkable NEV advancement, and how have these professionals propelled its rise?

Seeking answers, a documentary crew from South Korea’s Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) visited BYD’s Shenzhen headquarters in Guangdong province this April.

Their observations revealed a striking contrast: while South Korea’s top students traditionally pursue medicine, China has cultivated deep engineering expertise that now powers cutting-edge technological breakthroughs — moving decisively beyond its former reputation for low-end manufacturing.

Intrigued by what they termed “China speed,” KBS producers expanded their documentary focus from education comparisons to China’s NEV sector. What astonished them most wasn’t just industrial scale, but the youth of China’s engineering corps.

BYD exemplifies this trend with over 120,000 engineers on staff. Between 2023 and 2025, the company recruited over 50,000 fresh university graduates, with nearly 80 percent entering research and development (R&D) positions. About 70 percent hold master’s or doctoral degrees. 

Ye Zi, head of BYD human resources., said the company’s well-developed training system, flexible job assignments and tolerant attitude toward trial and error have helped young recruits transition quickly from graduates into engineers.

At BYD, engineers in their twenties and thirties routinely lead core technical projects. KBS producer Jeong Yong-jae noted his surprise: “When I requested to interview younger engineers, they responded, ‘Everyone here is young.’ Witnessing professionals in their thirties making critical technical decisions would be extraordinary in South Korea.”

“Youth is the greatest source of innovation for China,” Jeong said after visiting schools and companies across the country. In his view, China encourages creativity and exploration from an early stage of education, giving students opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technologies and hands-on innovation projects. That environment, he said, has planted the seeds of innovation early and created a steady pipeline of young talent for industries such as NEVs.

“What people call ‘China speed’ is not a miracle,” he said. “It is the result of talent, education, national strategies and collective determination coming together.”

Near BYD’s headquarters, ultra-fast charging stations showcase this innovation. There, People’s Daily met Qiu Song, who leads BYD’s Pure Electric Platform development. His team pioneered 1,500A ultra-fast charging technology, achieving stable extreme-current transmission through thinner cables. This breakthrough addresses critical consumer pain points: slow charging and excessive wait times.

Qiu joined BYD in 2016 when China’s annual NEV barely surpassed 500,000 units, Qiu has witnessed production surge past 16 million annually — with NEVs now dominating over half of new car sales. For him, the industry’s ethos is clear: “Dare to dream big, act boldly, and experiment fearlessly.”

Cao Zhiyuan, born in 1995, represents a new generation of engineers driving that momentum. A PhD graduate in electrical engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, Cao joined BYD in 2023 and now leads development work on overseas ultra-fast charging products.

Much of his daily work revolves around one goal: making charging faster.

Experiments, data analysis, cross-team brainstorming sessions and daily reviews have become routine for him and his colleagues. The challenge they are tackling is one of the core bottlenecks facing the global EV industry: charging speed.

“We want charging an electric vehicle to be as fast as refueling a gasoline car,” Cao said. “That’s the goal we keep working toward every day.”

Inside the laboratory, engineers repeatedly test charging performance under different current levels and temperature conditions. The team operates with a highly open culture: ideas are evaluated by data and verification rather than hierarchy or seniority. That technology-first environment has enabled many young engineers to quickly grow into key contributors capable of leading major projects on their own.

After relentless refinement, BYD’s flash-charging technology can now charge a battery from 10 percent to 97 percent in just nine minutes, placing it among the global leaders in charging speed.

Through hard work and continuous innovation, China’s NEV engineers are giving real meaning to the phrase “China speed,” while injecting sustained momentum into the future development of the industry.

By Dou Hanyang, People’s Daily

The harvest season for branched string lettuce recently wrapped up along Xihu port in Huangbi’ao township, Xiangshan county, Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang province.

“I earned more than 60,000 yuan ($8,846) harvesting seaweed for the science and technology backyard,” said Baiyu village resident Qiu Yonggao with a broad smile. “I never thought tidal-flat seaweed could bring real income.”

Huangbi’ao township sits along the East China Sea. Stretching across the coastline are vast expanses of high-quality tidal flats where algae such as branched string lettuce, kelp and laver thrive naturally. 

The “science and technology backyard” Qiu referred to is the Xiangshan Seaweed Science and Technology Backyard, jointly established by the local government, universities and leading enterprises. 

Supported by this innovation hub, the local seaweed industry now spans cultivation, processing and domestic and overseas sales. This shift has upgraded the industry from traditional extensive farming to modern intensive production, lifting incomes for more than 180 local households.

At a local production base, workers are testing indoor cultivation of branched string lettuce in a 900-square-meter, state-of-the-art seedling workshop.

“The branched string lettuce produced here is purchased in large quantities by internationally renowned snack companies and used as a food seasoning,” said Zhu Wenrong, head of the production base and chairman of Xiangshan Xuwen Seaweed Development Co., Ltd. “Thanks to the area’s natural ecological advantages, branched string lettuce around Xihu port stands out for its premium quality and rich nutrients.”

Operating under a “company + farmer” model, the base provides growers with free seedlings, technical guidance, and guaranteed minimum prices. During this year’s bumper harvest, more than 100 local villagers participated in harvesting every day, with daily purchases of fresh branched string lettuce reaching more than 40 metric tons at peak times. Some villagers earned up to 1,500 yuan($221) a day solely from harvesting.

Building on the growth cycle of branched string lettuce, the base has also introduced high-quality kelp and laver seedlings, creating what locals call a “marine vegetable garden” in Xihu port. Moving beyond the traditional practice of “depending on the weather,” the farms now use intelligent equipment to monitor seawater temperature and pH levels, enabling precise environmental regulation.

“Look at this kelp — broad leaves and thick flesh. It can sell for around 5 yuan ($0.73) per kilogram,” Zhu said, pointing toward the rows of kelp racks in the sea. Last year, kelp production remained stable at over 2,000 metric tons, most of which was sold to supermarkets and restaurants in Shanghai and Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang.

Remarkably, one kilogram of seedlings yields 1,000 kilograms of mature seaweed. As the algae grow, they absorb nitrogen and capture carbon dioxide. Scientists now quantify sequestered carbon, unlocking new industry potential.

On Feb. 28, 2023, China’s first blue carbon auction deal was finalized in Huangbi’ao township. The annual fishery carbon sink of 2,340.1 tons from Xihu port was traded at 106 yuan($15.63) per ton, with a total transaction value of around 248,000 yuan($36,563).

“Blue carbon trading clarifies pathways to monetize ecological value,” said Yang Yang, deputy director of Xiangshan marine economic development center.

Profit distribution from carbon trading directly benefits villagers. Profit distribution from carbon trading directly benefits villagers. Hugang Village resident He Shichang received 1,200 yuan($176.93) worth of seedlings last year, calling it “income from protecting the ocean.” Local fishers now practice sustainable harvesting and actively safeguard marine ecosystems.

Xiangshan county has incorporated the seaweed industry into its overall marine economic development plan and established multi-party coordination mechanisms to turn the Xiangshan Seaweed Science and Technology Backyard into a key platform for technological breakthroughs and the commercialization of research results.

“In the past, universities often struggled to commercialize research findings. Now, technologies developed in the lab can be tested and promoted directly in the waters of Xihu port,” said Chen Haimin, a researcher from Ningbo University who leads a team studying healthy seaweed cultivation and resource utilization at the science and technology backyard.

According to Chen, new laver varieties developed by the team are now applied in standardized and precise seedling breeding and harvesting demonstrations across laver farming zones in Xiangshan. 

Today, seaweed cultivation in Huangbi’ao township has also become deeply integrated with rural tourism. Visitors can experience sea farming and recreational fishing, enjoy local seafood cuisine, and learn about blue carbon through science exhibitions. 

At the Xiangshan Marine Carbon Sink Comprehensive Exhibition Center, a “digital blue carbon map” provides real-time visualization of carbon sink changes across local waters, making ecological assets visible and tangible.

Meanwhile, researchers at the science and technology backyard are refining an ecological mixed-farming model integrating algae, shellfish and fish. Fish are raised in the upper waters, shellfish in the middle layer, and algae below, forming a circular system that maximizes the use of the same body of water.

From “seaweed” growing on tidal flats to a fully developed industrial chain, and from invisible carbon sinks to tradable ecological assets, the ocean in Huangbi’ao township is steadily becoming a “blue granary” that offers broad prospects for advancing all-around rural revitalization.

By Yao Xueqing, Dou Hao, Li Kaixuan, People’s Daily

Recent advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence(AI), brain-computer interfaces and bionic engineering are offering renewed hope and expanding possibilities for people living with disabilities.

China’s 2025 statistical bulletin on the development of the cause of people with disabilities reported that 1.487 million people with disabilities received basic assistive devices last year.

For 51-year-old Xu Min from Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu province, technology has done more than improve daily life; it has restored her confidence and sense of possibility.

She still feels emotional recalling her victory in the upper-limb prosthetics category at the Cybathlon, often called the “Olympics for assistive technology.”

Xu lost her right hand and wrist in a workplace accident over thirty years ago. “It felt like my whole world had collapsed,” she recalled, crediting her family’s encouragement for helping her regain the courage to move forward.

In 2019, staff members from the Suzhou Disabled Persons’ Federation contacted Xu about a new project being developed by a research team from Southeast University. The team was developing a prosthetic hand capable of movement and asked whether she would be willing to test it. Xu agreed immediately.

“We use sensors attached closely to the skin to collect myoelectric control signals from the residual limb,” explained Hu Xuhui, a member of the research team. “In simple terms, the signals convey the user’s intended movement to the chip, which then transmits commands to the prosthetic hand, completing the movement loop.”

Xu vividly remembers the first time she saw the prosthetic hand move.

“I cried out in excitement,” she said. Initially, success rates were low, but persistent training steadily improved coordination between Xu and the device.

In early 2024, Hu brought another piece of good news: the Cybathlon competition would soon be held. As Xu prepared for the competition, the research team continued refining the prosthetic device and improving its performance.

At the finals in Switzerland, Xu excelled, completing challenging tasks like hammering and nail removal. She was the sole contestant to master the “tactile bag” challenge, identifying and retrieving specific objects by touch alone using the prosthetic.

“Remarkably, the prosthetic allowed me to perceive my environment with precision. It came very close to the functionality of a real human hand,” Xu stated proudly after her win. “Technology gave me hope again.”

Technology has also helped restore hope to Jin, a resident of Lanxi in Jinhua, east China’s Zhejiang province.

Jin suffered complete paraplegia after a nearly 10-meter fall while repairing his roof in October 2024. Even after four months of rehabilitation, he could not lift his legs or regain normal bladder and bowel control.

At a time when he had nearly lost hope, his daughter, Jin Xiaofang, learned that the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine was recruiting volunteers for a closed-loop spinal neural interface implantation procedure. She immediately took her father there for evaluation.

In March 2025, the medical team successfully implanted spinal stimulation electrodes into Jin’s lumbar spine and placed a wireless, rechargeable stimulation controller (roughly matchbox-sized) in his abdomen.

The domestically developed “neural pacemaker” measures just 51 millimeters in length and weighs only 18 grams. Using Bluetooth technology, it receives instructions from external devices and delivers precise electrical stimulation to damaged areas of the spinal cord. Patients can recharge the device simply by placing a charging coil near the abdomen, with a single charge lasting more than a week.

Fifteen days after surgery, Jin successfully achieved standing and walking movements. One month later, he regained the ability to take steps with the assistance of a walker.

The technology not only improved his motor functions, but also demonstrated potential for repairing neural sensory pathways.

So far, the hospital has used the closed-loop spinal neural interface technology to help more than 10 spinal cord injury patients regain varying degrees of physical function, with several progressing from being bedridden to walking again.

Another beneficiary of technological innovation is Qing Jingwen from Mianzhu, southwest China’s Sichuan province, a survivor of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake.

Trapped beneath rubble for nearly 70 hours during the earthquake, Qing eventually lost her right leg above the knee and suffered severe injuries to her left leg. For years afterward, walking remained one of the greatest challenges in her life.

In spring last year, through a public welfare program supported by the Chengdu Foundation for Disabled Persons, Qing received an intelligent bionic leg developed by BrainCo, a Chinese neurotechnology company that develops brain-computer interface products.

“Ever since I started using the intelligent bionic leg, I haven’t fallen once,” Qing said with a smile.

According to Wang Yong, sales director for intelligent prosthetics at BrainCo, the device integrates gyroscopes, position sensors and multiple other sensors to collect real-time data. The information is processed through algorithms and converted into instructions that control the prosthetic’s hydraulic system, allowing it to adapt instantly to different movements and enabling users to achieve a near-natural gait and walking freedom of movement.

Beyond advanced functionality, this domestically developed intelligent bionic leg is significantly more affordable than comparable imported products. With steadier steps and renewed confidence, Qing has begun exploring new possibilities in life. Last year, she traveled to Yueyang, central China’s Hunan province, to work as a volunteer teacher and even helped her students establish a cultural and creative arts club.

“The warmth of technology has made both my steps and my heart steadier,” Qing said. “I believe my future will become broader and brighter.”

By Chen Ran, Feng Xuezhi, People’s Daily

On the night of May 24, televisions flickered late into the evening across Hong Kong as families waited for a moment many described as historic.

At 11:08 p.m., the countdown rang out on live broadcast. “Five, four, three, two, one… ignition!” As a rocket carrying the Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft roared into the night sky, cheers erupted simultaneously in homes citywide.

Among the crew, Hong Kong native Lai Ka-ying drew special attention. A former University of Hong Kong scholar and Hong Kong Police Force officer, she now wears China’s astronaut uniform as the city’s first representative on a national space mission.

In interviews, Lai detailed her rigorous training after being selected for the fourth group of reserve astronauts. The training included 72-hour sleep deprivation tests, 48-hour desert survival drills, six-day cave expeditions, and high-G centrifuge sessions. Despite the intensity, she persevered with unwavering commitment.

Lai’s journey began humbly in Tsuen Wan, where academic struggles in primary school gave way to a passion for technology ignited by a secondary school teacher. She excelled at the University of Hong Kong, earning a doctorate in computer science. Her police career in electronic forensics and cybersecurity saw her solve critical cases, blending technical skill with civic duty — qualities that propelled her into China’s astronaut corps.

On launch day, crowds packed the Hong Kong Space Museum’s exhibition A Voyage to Space: China’s Manned Space Expedition. Many parents brought their children to learn about astronaut training and space station experiments. One young visitor vowing: “I’ll study hard and become an astronaut too.”

At Pui Kiu Middle School, the mission ignited enthusiasm. Principal Ng Woon-kit noted how each Shenzhou flight expands students’ visions of science and national contribution. The school shares deep ties with China’s space program: astronaut Yang Liwei planted an oak tree there in 2003; astronaut Chen Dong sent an orbital letter in 2022 and visited in 2023. “Education is the best launchpad,” Ng stated, hoping more Hong Kong youth will join future space endeavors.

Several students witnessed the Jiuquan launch firsthand. Fourth-grader Lam Yan-ying reflected: “Space once felt distant, but at liftoff, I saw our nation’s technological advancement. I felt proud — and newly curious about China’s space program.”

Wu Bin, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system for China’s Manned Space Program, emphasized Lai embodies Hong Kong youth’s capability and patriotism. He hopes more from Hong Kong and Macau will join astronaut selection as China advances toward lunar and deep-space exploration.

“Safe journey and welcome home.” “Sister Ka-ying is amazing.” “The pride of Hong Kong — we’re proud of you.” Even in the early hours of the morning, messages celebrating the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft continued flooding Hong Kong social media platforms.

In Tsuen Wan, along Victoria Harbor, on school campuses, inside the Hong Kong Space Museum, and in countless homes across Hong Kong, people looked up at the stars — and for a moment, space no longer felt so far away.