Nigeria Times

By Kang Pu

At a sci-tech park of the Institute of Engineering Mechanics (IEM) under China Earthquake Administration in Sanhe city, north China’s Hebei province, a team of Chinese experts in intelligent construction, structural engineering, and earthquake resistance conducted an intense “destructive” experiment for a 3D-printed house model.

This 3D-printed concrete house model was brought in for testing by associate professor Sun Xiaoyan’s team from the College of Civil Engineering and Architecture at Zhejiang University.

“Are 3D-printed houses sturdy?” This is the most common question received by Sun.

The sturdiness is primarily determined by how well they can resist earthquakes. Sun had collaborated with Hangzhou Lingdong Technology Co., Ltd., an enterprise specializing in digital construction and 3D printing design based in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, to precisely calculate the structure’s earthquake-proof performance using a 3D digital model.

Theoretical analysis suggested excellent earthquake resistance, but to confirm these findings, Sun and a team of experts from different areas decided to conduct a shaking table test.

A shaking table is a device that simulates earthquakes. The one being used for this test was a state-of-the-art six-degree-of-freedom shaking table capable of generating horizontal and vertical vibrations as well as rotational movements.

To match the dimensions of the shaking table, Sun commissioned a factory to produce a scaled-down 3D house model measuring five meters in length and just over one meter in width, which is also the maximum dimensions allowed for testing.

The experiment included six different seismic conditions, with seven tests conducted for each situation. “The goal is to keep shaking it until it breaks down – to see how strong an earthquake it can endure,” Sun said cheerfully.

“Start!”

Following the command, a buzzing sound filled the air, and the hydraulic actuators of the shaking table jolted violently – a simulated earthquake began.

After the shaking subsided, researchers quickly stepped onto the platform, meticulously inspecting every corner of the house model and marking every visible crack.

Visual inspection, however, was only part of the assessment. The model was equipped with acceleration sensors, displacement sensors, strain gauges, and an advanced optical tracking system empowered by video recognition. Additionally, four ultra-high-speed cameras positioned on either side of the structure could capture the slightest changes during the simulated earthquake.

“These ultra-high-speed cameras can capture 3,000 frames and produce 6GB of image data per second – no structural movement goes unnoticed,” said Zhu Liangying, a technician with Hefei Zhongke Junda Vision Technology Co. Ltd., the manufacturer of the cameras.

Sources say that the IEM has made significant strides in fields such as strong-motion observation and application, earthquake-resistant building engineering, earthquake risk assessment and mitigation, earthquake engineering testing technologies, and earthquake and engineering vibration measurementtechnologies.

In 2024, the institute spearheaded the development of a next-generation high-speed railway earthquake early warning and monitoring system, which has been deployed along more than 1,500 kilometers of railway in China and exported for use in Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia.

As the experiment progressed, the simulated earthquake became more intensified, followed by a louder buzzing sound, and cracks started appearing on the house model.

By the time the test reached the sixth condition, even the floor beneath the observers trembled noticeably as the hydraulic actuators roared.

In real earthquakes, most casualties are caused bythe collapse of buildings. According to He Huanan, associate professor with the School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, China has established three principles for earthquake-resistant construction to ensure building safety: structures should remain undamaged in minor earthquakes, sustain repairable damage in moderate earthquakes, and avoid collapse in major earthquakes.

To be specific, a minor earthquakerefers to a common seismic event with a 63 percent probability of occurring within a 50-year design lifespan, where buildings should remain undamaged. A moderate earthquakecorresponds to the expected seismic intensity, with a 10 percent probability of being exceeded in 50 years – some damage is acceptable, but buildings should remain functional after repairs. A major earthquakeis a rare event, with only a two to three percent chance of occurring within a building’s lifespan, where the primary goal is to prevent collapse and ensure people’s life safety.

After a full day of testing, the 3D-printed house model withstood an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 without any structural damage. When magnitudes reached 7.0 and 8.0, cracks appeared but did not extend to the structural framework, maintaining overall stability. Even after an earthquake at a magnitude of 9.0 that caused complete cracking, the core structure remained intact without collapse or severe damage. The model successfully passed the test.

Sun explainedthat 3D-printed concrete buildings boast many advantages. First, they allow for rapid and precise construction through digital design, additive manufacturing, and prefabrication, and can accommodatea range of architectural forms. Second, their hollow-wall design can incorporate reinforced steel frameworks, creating a robust concrete structure with excellent anti-seismic performance and long-term durability.

“The future of 3D-printed houses is promising,” Sun said.

However, as a novel construction method, 3D-printed concrete houses still require further professional certification and practical testing. The outstanding earthquake resilience of this scaled-down housemodel has brought confidence in future research and wider technological adoption.

By Sheng Yulei, Ye Chuanzeng, People’s Daily

In just less than three minutes, an elevator transported nine students from the valley floor of Nizhu River Grand Canyon to a cableway platform 268 meters above. After stepping out, the students boarded a cable car and reached their mountaintop school – the Guanzhai Village Primary School – within five to six minutes.

What was once a perilous three- to four-hour trek now takes merely half an hour, thanks to a “sky school bus” that soars through the clouds.

Located atop the Nizhu River Grand Canyon in Puli township, Xuanwei, southwest China’s Yunnan province, the Guanzhai Village Primary School sits at an elevation of 1,650 meters. Nizhu River village, a natural village under the administration of the Guanzhai Village Committee, lies at the bottom of the canyon at 1,100 meters above sea level.

For generations, to reach their classrooms, children from Nizhu River Village had to trek up the gorge along a perilous “sky road,” scaling cliffs and wading through rivers – a journey that took three to four hours on foot.

In October 2022, a 268-meter-high elevator and an aerial cableway spanning nearly 200 meters in elevation officially went into operation, providing the children with a direct “sky bus” to school. Their journey to class is now not only much safer but also comes with a touch of sci-fi wonder, as if they are gliding through the clouds. What once felt “tough” has now turned into something “cool.”

This uplifting story echoes the progress of the times, reflects the resilience of the human spirit, and embodies a shift in mindset.

It is a path of unyielding perseverance.

The canyon’s abyss and cliffs were not just physical barriers but walls that stifled education and opportunity. Grandparents of the children carved crude footholds into stone; fathers of them built stair-like cliffside paths. Each generation labored to keep knowledge flowing through these mountains, breaking cycles of poverty.

Today, modern infrastructure carries their legacy forward, propelling young dreams toward horizons once unimaginable.

It is a path of boundless potential.

How does a secluded village bridge centuries of isolation? The answer lies in reimagining development. By embracing eco-tourism, the area has birthed cafes, bars, and local cuisine hubs, empowering over 1,600 residents from 300 households to thrive without leaving home.

Where “barren hills and treacherous waters” once defined hardship, lush landscapes now draw visitors, proving that “lush mountains and lucid waters” are invaluable assets.

It is a path of unconventional modernization.

To drive development, local authorities introduced tourism projects, leading to the construction of the cliffside elevator and cableway as supporting infrastructure. To serve the people, the canyon scenic area set up a green channel, allowing villagers and students to ride for free with priority access.

Development and well-being intertwine. This path – once a road out of poverty – has now become a road to prosperity, vividly demonstrating the principle of ensuring and improving people’s well-being through development. It showcases the virtuous cycle between economic growth and better living standards, highlighting the boundless potential of Chinese modernization.

Nizhu River Village is not an isolated case—thousands of mountain villages across China have been transformed. Guided by forward-thinking ideas and supported by policies and resources, once-barren lands are now full of opportunities, carrying the dreams of many. Through hard work and determination, people are reshaping their destinies and riding the waves of progress to build a better life.

By Zhang Jiaying, People’s Daily

Located in the southeastern part of Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, the Yabuli Ski Resort is the venue for snow events at the 9th Asian Winter Games.

It is reported that the Yabuli Ski Resort utilizes nearly 1.3 million cubic meters of artificial snow. In the lead-up to the Games, 150 snow-making machines operated continuously 24/7, generating a steady supply of snow.

However, when Harbin hosted the 1996 Asian Winter Games, the snow that covered the competition slopes was collected from different places. At peak times, as many as 2,000 people were involved in manually transporting snow uphill each day.

At the time, due to unstable power supply, large-scale snowmaking was not an option. Today, the picture looks vastly different. Harbin’s successful bid to host the 9th Asian Winter Games is now backed by robust infrastructure: a 10-kilovolt power line stretches over 50 kilometers across the mountains, while digital power management systems and intelligent drone inspections ensure seamless event operations. Snow production is no longer a challenge.

Each snowflake, once carried up the mountain by hand and now produced with advanced technology, reflects China’s growing expertise in hosting international events as well as the country’s rising technological prowess.

Beyond snow production, Chinese innovation is making its mark across the Asian Winter Games.

High-performance, domestically developed waterproof and breathable materials are woven into Chinese athletes’ podium uniforms. Advanced track wind-field imaging and ultra-precise speed measurement technology provide real-time wind speed data with an accuracy of 0.1 meters per second.

Besides, with 5G-enabled inventory management, event materials can be tracked and counted without manual intervention, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. China’s first fully automated ice resurfacing machine is operating at Harbin’s Ice and Snow World, dramatically increasing ice-cutting efficiency by several orders of magnitude.

Major international sporting events serve as a stage for showcasing a nation’s comprehensive strength. From the “Water Cube” transforming into the “Ice Cube” at the Beijing Winter Olympics, to the digital torchbearer making waves at the Hangzhou Asian Games, and now to the technological marvels of the Harbin Asian Winter Games – China’s relentless innovation is continuing to create unforgettable moments.

By Liu Yang, People’s Daily

From breathtaking mythical battles in”Ne Zha 2″ to astonishingly realistic urban landscapes in “Detective Chinatown 1900,” Chinese cinemahas captivated audiences with groundbreaking innovations in visual effects (VFX) from the start of 2025, delivering exhilarating and immersive viewing experiences.

In recent years, China’s film industry has experienced rapid growth, marked by constant breakthroughs in VFX technology. With better technical expertise, a more vibrant artistic vision, and a more substantial contribution to film industrialization, China’s VFX sector is showing strong development momentum.

Chinese animated blockbuster”Ne Zha 2,” the first movie to cross $1 billion in a single market, continues to generate steady ticket sales. This sequel features three times the number of characters as its predecessor “Ne Zha,” nearly 2,000 special effects shots, and a production team of over 4,000 people. Its closing credits list nearly 140 Chinese animation studios involved in the project.

According to industry insiders, Chinese VFX teams can now bring almost all visual concepts to life by technical means. “The climactic battle between the demon clans and the celestial realm in ‘Ne Zha2’ involves over 200 million characters. All visual effects were produced by Chinese teams, proving that China’s VFX sector is now at the forefront of the world,” said Li Zhen, a researcher with the China Film Art Research Center.

China’s VFXadvancements are closely linked to the rapid development of the country’s film industry. The increasing demand for VFX-enabled productions has provided ample opportunities for Chinese studios to refine their skills through real-world projects. Meanwhile, thevibrant Chinese film market has increased audience expectations for even more stunning visuals, further driving industry progress.

Sources say that AI technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the early stages of VFX design. Once a script is finalized, AI can generate hundreds or even thousands of concept images within a short time, providing valuable visual references for the creation team.

The emergence of the AI video generator Sora in 2024 was a landmark event in the world. Back then, China had yet to develop its own large videogeneration models.

“Since the second half of 2024, we’ve been using our domestic models like KLING and DreaminaAI more frequently,” said Chen Yi, founder of Timeaxis, one of China’s earliest companies dedicated to digital film and television technology, based in east China’s Zhejiang province.

“Many of our colleagues have noticed that these domestically developed AI models are increasingly adept at handling Chinese-themed content. With thousands of years of rich cultural heritage, our homeland provides a deep well of artistic inspiration. The more these models learn from our VFX artists, the better they capture Chinese aesthetics and emotional expression. The progress of Chinese video generation models gives us greater confidence in the future of our industry,”said Chen.

With the advancement of the film industry, VFX has become an integral part of the entire film production process. Whether for live-action movies, animated films, or science fiction blockbusters, VFX has enabled directors and screenwriters to bring their imaginativeideas to life.

Take “Detective Chinatown 1900,”another high-grossing film during this year’s Spring Festival holiday, for example. The film includes over 1,100 VFX shots, and the production team built a full-scale replica of old San Francisco at Laoling Film Studio in Dezhou, east China’s Shandong province.

According to the film’sVFX supervisor Xu Mingjun, the VFX team began script reading even earlier than the actors because they needed to prepare for scanning and modeling. “Throughout the entire process of pre-production, filming, and post-production, we needed to work closely with the cinematography team to ensure that our VFX plans aligned perfectly with their action sequences,” said Xu.

The VFX sector is a benchmark of technological strength. Its rapid growth in China over the past few years has boosted the country’sfilm industrialization progress. The success of “Ne Zha 2” marks another milestone in China’s VFX capabilities. Hundreds of Chinese studios collaborated on the film, with some specializing in rain simulation, others in particle effects, and yet more in character animation. The high-levelexpertise and an increasingly refined industrial chainhave provided a solid industrial foundation for more filmmakers in China

By Zuo Heng

Since hitting the big screen during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday on Jan. 29, Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” has shattered multiple box office records, becoming the first film to cross 1 billion dollars in a single market.As of Feb. 12, its earnings had exceeded 9.3 billion yuan ($1.27 billion).

This year marks the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema and the 130th anniversary of world cinema. The robust performance of “Ne Zha 2” has boosted confidence within the global film industry, reaffirming the enduring vitality of film as an art form and providing valuable insights into Chinese filmmaking.

“Ne Zha 2” signals the arrival of a new chapter for the Chinese animation school.

In the past century, Chinese animation, represented by the iconic works of Shanghai Animation Film Studio, captivated Chinese audiences and gained international recognition. However, the creation and production models in that era failed to keep up with the development of modern cinema and struggled to fulfill audience expectations, leading to a period of stagnation after its golden age.

Today, with the deepening reforms in China’s film industry, coupled with economic and technological advancements, a thriving cultural market, and a growing pool of talent, the Chinese animation industry has gained fresh momentum. A new generation of passionate filmmakers and innovative studios has come to prominence, warmly welcomed by the massive community of Chinese animation audiences.

“Ne Zha 2” highlights the profound depth and richness of Chinese cultural heritage.

The film draws inspiration from China’s Bronze Age, taking viewers back to ancient Chinese history – such as a pair of mystical “boundaryguardian beasts”inspired by the golden masks excavated from the Sanxingdui Ruins, the magnificent Tianyuan Cauldronthat finds inspiration in the bronze cauldrons of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties (1600 B.C.-256 B.C.),and the intricate bronze mirror patterns found on the desk of Shiji Niangniang, or Lady Rocky.

The story’s core premise, where a Chaos Pearl birthed from primordial essences splits into two opposite components – the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb, echoes the Taoist allegory from the ancient Chinese classics Zhuangzi, in which the legendary faceless being Hundun perishes after being forcibly carved open. The climactic battle between the celestial realm and demon clans also continued the theme of self-discovery from “Nezha Conquers the Dragon King,” a classic Chinese animated fantasy film released in 1979.

The film’s intricate plotlines, fusion of beauty and grotesqueness in character design, and the balance between solemnity and humor all bear traces ofthe narrative styles ofzaju, a unique dramatic genre of China’s Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and popular fictions in China’s Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). It revitalizes China’s long-standing aesthetic traditions, blending innovation with cultural heritage to captivate modern audiences.

At the same time, “Ne Zha 2” also reflects subtle influences from Western animation and Japanese anime. Since modern times, Western cultural elements have found their way into China and have been adapted in ways that contribute to the development of contemporary Chinese culture. This process of integration is, in itself, a fascinating cultural story of Chinese modernization.

The success of “Ne Zha 2” also marks the advent of a new generation of filmmakers in China.

The new generation of Chinese cultural and artistic workers boasts a unique strength – a deeper understanding of Chinese society and their personal lives, which they transform into fresh artistic expressions. Many young audiences have felt a powerful bond and emotional resonance with “Ne Zha 2.” This reinforces an important truth: no matter how fantastical, a mythological story must be grounded in reality and genuine emotion to truly connect with audiences.

Besides, these new-generation filmmakers are actively exploring cross-disciplinary artistic practices, media integration, technological advancements, and cultural exchanges – paving the way for a more innovative future in filmmaking.

In “Ne Zha 2,” the stunning battle between Ne Zha and marmots, and the breathtaking particle effects inspired by traditional Chinese inkpainting, were made possible with the collaboration of multiple Chinese studios. Original Force, a leading Chinese company in digital content production, even delayed its own projects to prioritize the production of the film.

The belief that “unity is strength” is becoming a widespread consensus in China’s film industry, with individual creators, studios, and companies all moving from isolation to collaboration, building ecosystems of shared resources and common development.

“Ne Zha 2” tells an incredible story, but its creation and success is a great story in itself. It is a testament to the creative team – individuals bursting with imagination and talent, and more broadly, to the collective force of China’s animation, film, and technological sectors, which are driving a greater cultural advancement in China.

(Zuo Heng is the director of the cinematic culture research department at the China Film Archive.)

By Luo Shanshan, People’s Daily

Lately, there has been much talk about foreign investors withdrawing from China on a large scale. Official data show that in 2024, foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland in actual use dropped by 27.1 percent year on year, while the number of new foreign-invested firms increased by 9.9 percent from a year ago.

Are these two figures in conflict with each other?

To answer this question, let’s first delve into a story about Walmart’s development in the Chinese market.

Over the past few years, retail giant Walmart has been actively closing locations across China. Many people just feel likethat “Walmart is withdrawing from China.” But is this the whole picture? Certainly not.

On Dec. 18, 2024, Walmart-owned Sam’s Club opened its 52nd store in Wenzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province. More strikingly, in the third quarter of 2024, Walmart’s net sales in China climbed 17 percent year on year.

So how could a company that is allegedly “pulling out of China”maintain steady sales growth in the Chinese market?

Walmart’s story highlights important shifts in the Chinese market:as personalized and diversified consumption has emerged as a new trend among Chinese consumers, and with the rapid development of Chinese domestic retailers, traditional business models are struggling to survive in the country. Only those foreign companies that adapt quickly to the evolving Chinese market can succeed.

Simply put, the times have changed. The Chinese market is no longer what it used to be, and China’s relationship with foreign investment has also changed.

Does China still need foreign investment?

Before discussing whether foreign investment is leaving the Chinese market, it is essential to clear up one question: Does China still need foreign investment?

China has entered a new stage of high-quality development and has moved from capital scarcity to capital abundance. The country is shifting its focus from attracting foreign investment to a new strategy with equal emphasis on both “bringing in” and “going global.”

However, some argue that “China no longer needs foreign investment as before.”Some Western media have even hyped up their narrative that “China is no longer welcoming foreign investors.”

Apparently, capital abundance and “going global” do not mean that China no longer needs foreign investment. In fact, foreign capital remains crucial in China’s “dualcirculation” paradigm – the new development pattern that China adopted in 2020, which takes the domestic market as the mainstay while allowing domestic and foreign markets to reinforce each other.

Over the past few years, China has introduced a range of measures for voluntary and unilateral opening up on a larger scale and at a higher level. For instance, it has hosted the China International Import Expo and the China International Supply Chain Expo, reduced negative lists for foreign investment, and granted national treatment to foreign-funded enterprises.

With lower entry barriers, more small- and medium-sized foreign-invested enterprisesare entering the Chinese market, which can explain the rapid increase in the number of new foreign-funded enterprises in the country.

Why has the scale of foreign direct investment declined?

Industrial investment is a long-term, rational economic decisioninfluenced by multiple factors in the medium and longterm. Therefore, fluctuations in investment align with economic patterns.

In the medium term, China has attracted over one trillion yuan ($136.85 billion) each year in foreign investment for three consecutive years since 2021. The large foreign capital inflow has unleashed investment demand in the country, and thedrop in foreign direct investment in 2024 falls within normal economic cycles.

From a long-term perspective, global cross-border investment is shifting toward service-oriented and asset-light industries, thereby leading to a periodic discrepancybetween the scale of foreign investment in actual use and the number of new foreign-invested enterprises.

Currently, around 70 percent of foreign investment in China flows into the services sector, which is characterized by asset-light business models, thereby significantly impactingthe overall scale of foreign investment.

The next “China“ is still China.

How do foreign-invested enterprises view the Chinese market?

“The next ‘China’ is still China.” This is a sentiment widely shared by global investors.

Today’s China is experiencing technological breakthroughs and a talent boom, which have led to a substantial increase in total factor productivity and more added value for the “world factory.”The huge Chinese market has become a “global market,” stimulating domestic demand and providing immense opportunities for foreign companies.

Undoubtedly, a constantly developing China with strong growth momentum remains highly attractive to foreign investors. At the same time, in China’s highly competitive open market, foreign-funded enterprises must bring their best expertise to secure a foothold.

In recent years, some foreign enterprises that failed to keep up withthe changing Chinese market have withdrawn, while more high-tech foreign investors have come in.

Meanwhile, some Western countries have politicized economic and trade issues in recent years, leading to a continuous downturn in global cross-border investment and presenting challenges to China’s ability to attract foreign direct investment. The tougher the external environment, the more necessary it is for China to respond to global uncertainties with higher-quality development and higher-level opening up.

As always, China remains firmly committed to opening up and win-win cooperation with foreign investors.

No matter what, this remains true: partnering with China means embracing future opportunities, and investing in China is investing in the future.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

The ongoing 9th Asian Winter Games held in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, themed “Dream of Winter, Love Among Asia,” embodies the shared aspiration of the Asian people for peace, development and friendship.

Ahead of the opening ceremony of the Games,Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a welcoming banquet, during which he called on Asia to uphold the shared dream for tranquility and harmony, pursue the shared aspiration for prosperity and development, and fulfill the shared desire for friendship and affinity. His remarks reaffirmed China’s sincerity and commitment to promoting peace, development, and friendship.

“Light up Asia, light up the stars, with the beating of our hearts… Light up Asia, hold our hands high, together we form a bond that’s tight…”

These lyrics of the theme song “Light Up Asia”reflect the Asian people’s shared aspiration of using sports to promote peace, unity, and inclusiveness.

President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach praised China for advocating and practicing the concepts of unity, cooperation, equality and respect, and upholding multilateralism. He expressed the confidence that China will continue to achieve greater accomplishments and make greater contributions to world peace, development, and progress.

Every snowflake is unique, and every civilization is distinctive. All civilizationsare rooted in their unique cultural environment. Each embodies the wisdom and vision of a country or nation, and each is valuable for being uniquely its own.

The opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games showcased Asia’sdiverse traditions through dancers clad in the traditional attires of various Asian countries, creating a vibrant picture of beauty in diversity and shared prosperity.At the Harbin Ice and Snow World Park, ice sculptures of iconic landscapes in Asian countries, such as China’s Temple of Heaven, India’s Taj Mahal, and Singapore’s Merlion, stood side by side.

All of these have demonstrated Asian culture that is inclusive, vibrant and always keen to learn from others.As the Asian winter sports athletes chase their dreams in Harbin, they are also strengthening their friendships and writing a new chapter of unity and solidarity in Asia.

Supitr Samahito, vice president of the Thai Olympic Committee, said that the Asian WinterGames is not just a sporting event but also a unique opportunity for Asian countries to showcase their cultures and deepen mutual understanding.

Xi once said, “Asian countries are just like a cluster of bright lanterns. Only when we link them together, can we light up the night sky in our continent.”

China is dedicated to presenting a splendid winter sports spectacle to the world, creating beautiful and unforgettable memories of ice and snow for all countries across the globe.