Nigeria Times

By Dou Hanyang, People’s Daily

During the evening rush hour at the intersection of Tiyuchang Road and Yan’an Road, Gongshu district, Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, Chen Sanchuan, deputy head of the Wulin traffic police squadron under the Gongshu brigade of the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau’s traffic management detachment, directed traffic on one side of the crossing, with his “new colleague” coordinating operations seamlessly on the opposite side.

This robot is part of Hangzhou’s first batch of intelligent traffic management units. Standing 1.88 meters tall, it is modeled after the official uniform image of Hangzhou traffic police officers. It wears a black police cap, is outfitted with a fluorescent yellow-green reflective vest, and moves on a four-wheel mobile chassis, which gives it a distinctly high-tech look.

So what exactly can a traffic management robot do? 

By tapping the “Talk to Me” option on the robot’s touchscreen, pedestrians can initiate a conversation. 

“How do I get to West Lake Cultural Square?” 

“You can take Metro Line 1 or Line 3 from Wulin Square Station. If you tell me your specific destination, I can provide a more detailed route.”

According to Chen, the robot is powered by a large language model for voice interaction. It can quickly understand users’ requests and combine real-time traffic conditions with location data to recommend optimal routes. Guidance is delivered through both spoken responses and text-and-image displays on its screen, making it a useful assistant for residents and tourists alike.

As Chen spoke, the robot suddenly issued a clear but gentle reminder:

“The gentleman in black, your vehicle has go past the stop line. Please reverse back behind the line. Thank you for your cooperation.” The rider immediately adjusted their position.

This automated law enforcement reminder is one of the robot’s core capabilities. Powered by high-performance visual recognition algorithms, it delivers round-the-clock multi-target intelligent monitoring at intersections, automatically detecting traffic violations including non-motor vehicle riders stopping over the stop line and riding without helmets.

If the violator fails to rectify the infraction after three reminders, the system will archive relevant violation clues and push them to an early warning center under the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau’s traffic management detachment.

The robot then rolled steadily toward the center of the intersection on its four-wheel platform. Through millisecond-level synchronization with traffic signals and an embedded library of traffic-control gestures that complies with Ministry of Public Security standards, it can accurately perform eight categories of traffic-directing motions, including signals for proceeding straight, stopping, and turning left. Every gesture is perfectly synchronized with the traffic lights.

In Chen’s view, having a robotic colleague on duty has made daily traffic management noticeably easier.

“Our new partner can remain on duty steadily for long periods of time, taking over a large amount of routine work,” he said. “That allows police officers to focus more on handling accidents and responding to emergencies,” he told People’s Daily.

According to Chen Qihang, an IT department officer at Hangzhou Public Security Bureau’s traffic management detachment and a key member of the robot development team shared that R&D work began last June. 

The team conducted comprehensive field studies at 28 representative intersections across the city, collecting more than 1,200 hours of real-world traffic data. Following four rounds of major technological upgrades, the team ultimately finalized a design that met operational requirements.

On May 1 this year, the first squad of 15 traffic management robots was officially deployed as a dedicated unit, taking up duty at key intersections around the West Lake Scenic Area and Hangzhou’s major commercial districts.

Since then, the robots have delivered impressive results. They have accumulated 647.7 hours of operational service, issued more than 25,000 traffic violation warnings, and provided public consultation services over 2,000 times. During active duty periods, they have averaged one reminder every one minute and 43 seconds.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

On June 22, the Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) opened in Beijing. 

As the world’s first state-level exhibition dedicated to supply chain cooperation, the expo has become a premier platform for global businesses to connect, explore application scenarios, and discover practical solutions.

It vividly demonstrates the immense vitality of China’s vast market and the opportunities the country offers to the world.

As a vital link in global industrial and supply chains, China remains committed to safeguarding these chains as international public goods and supporting international cooperation across supply chains so that the benefits of development can be shared more broadly among all countries. 

Over four years of development, the CISCE has grown into a globally recognized economic and trade event and an international public good shared by all.

Under the theme “Connecting the World for a Shared Future,” this year’s expo has attracted more than 1,200 exhibitors from 85 countries, regions, and international organizations, with overseas participation rising to 36.5 percent.

Speaking at the event, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile noted that the expo provides an essential platform for strengthening partnerships, rebuilding confidence in the global trading system, and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Innovation is a key engine driving development. This year’s expo features exhibition areas dedicated to digital technology, advanced manufacturing, green agriculture, healthy living, smart vehicles, clean energy, and supply chain services. More than 160 new products, technologies, services, and application scenarios are being unveiled for the first time, helping transform new quality productive forces into tangible industrial achievements that can be experienced, discussed, and implemented.

A dedicated artificial intelligence exhibition (AI) area has also been introduced, showcasing the complete AI ecosystem, from data collection and intelligent computing to real-world applications. 

Jensen Huang, founder and chief executive officer of NVIDIA, described China as one of the world’s most important centers of technology and industry, highlighting the excellence of its engineers, the agility of its developers, and the remarkable scale at which its enterprises operate.

The enthusiasm shown by exhibitors offers valuable insight into the deeper appeal of the Chinese market. According to the latest data released by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the number of existing foreign-invested enterprises in China has increased year on year over the past three years, surpassing 530,000. The overwhelming majority of these companies have chosen to deepen their presence in China and continue expanding their investments.

Recently, China released an action plan to stabilize and improve the utilization of foreign investment. The action plan focuses on five areas, which include expanding market access, facilitating investment procedures, enhancing investment promotion, strengthening services and guarantees for foreign investment, and improving foreign capital management. 

It sets out 15 measures, including further opening up the services sector, strengthening the influence of the “Invest China” initiative, and fully implementing national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises.

These measures are designed to ensure that foreign businesses can develop in China on a broader, deeper, and smoother footing. 

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period(2026-2030), foreign investors are expanding their presence across China, from emerging industries and advanced manufacturing to research and development centers and regional headquarters. They are drawing strength from China’s innovation ecosystem, sharpening their competitiveness in the vast Chinese market, and building capabilities that position them for success on a global scale.

Against rising global economic uncertainty, China has provided the world with valuable stability through the certainty of its high-quality development and reinforced confidence among foreign investors through its consistent commitment to opening up.

Recently, the 7th Qingdao Multinationals Summit concluded successfully, with “innovation,” “cooperation,” and “opportunity” emerging as recurring themes throughout the event.

At this year’s CISCE, Chinese and international companies are exploring ways to enhance the resilience of industrial and supply chains while fostering new advantages through innovation-driven development. 

On June 23, the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, opened in Dalian, northeast China’s Liaoning province, under the theme “Innovating at Scale.” The event once again demonstrates China’s firm commitment to openness and cooperation while sharing with the world the vast opportunities created by Chinese modernization.

With successive grand gatherings for opening up held one after another and surging tides of cooperation converging unceasingly, opportunities stemming from China’s massive market are continuously translating into dividends shared by all in global development.

China will continue to be a builder of an open world economy, a driver of global common development, and a supporter of mutually beneficial cooperation among businesses from all countries. 

More foreign-invested enterprises are welcome to grow and thrive in China’s dynamic market, work together to create a better future, and contribute fresh momentum to the recovery and growth of the world economy.

By Shang Rongzheng, People’s Daily

Inside a greenhouse, farm workers lift up shrimp shelters from the water, uncovering plump Australian freshwater spiny lobsters scurrying beneath the surface. In nearby holding ponds, Chinese mitten crabs crawl through the water, while bubbles constantly rise to the surface.

This scene takes place not on the coast, but on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, in Hetian county of Hetian prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

“Starting in 2024, we built an aquaculture base covering nearly 67 hectares on saline-alkali desert land, raising species including Chinese mitten crab, whiteleg shrimp, Australian “freshwater lobster,” and common perch, mainly to supply local markets,” said Wang Hui, head of the aquatic farming base in Tolganj village, Yenieryk township, Hetian county.

“Previously, most aquatic products had to be transported by air from coastal provinces. Now these local products are 15 to 20 percent cheaper, making a wider variety of products available on local people’s dining tables,” Wang added.

The transformation of desert land into an aquaculture base represents a win-win outcome in both ecological restoration and economic development. 

Located south of the Kunlun Mountains, Hetian benefits from rivers fed by melting snow and ice from high mountains, providing a natural water source for aquaculture. To the north, however, the region extends deep into the Taklimakan Desert, with deserts and Gobi areas accounting for 63 percent of its total land area. The natually saline desert soil creates favorable conditions for mitten crab, while abundant sunlight helps promote crab molting.

Nevertheless, creating an environment suitable for a wide range of aquatic species required overcoming the challenge of managing saline-alkali land. Local farmers have improved aquaculture ponds by planting aquatic plants and adding microorganisms and freshwater to reduce salinity and alkalinity. As a result, the pH level of the water has been lowered to between 7.5 and 8.5, an ideal range for fish and shrimp growth.

During periods of abundant water supply, river water from the nearby Yurungkax River is diverted into the ponds. In daily operations, farmers add water rather than replacing it entirely, while aquatic plants and microorganisms help purify the water through natural cycles, creating a balanced ecological system.

To identify species best suited for farming in saline-alkali desert areas, the aquaculture base introduced crablets from Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangdong, and other regions. Through continuous breeding trials and selection, farmers developed crab varieties with stronger tolerance to saline-alkali conditions.

Trial farming of the selected varieties began in April 2024. A yield of 18 tons of crabs generated nearly 2 million yuan ($147,574) in output value.

“During peak selling season, we average orders for around 200 kilograms of crabs every day on average, and demand often exceeds supply,” Wang said.

At another aquaculture base in Chamguluq village, also in Yenieryk township, a different scene is unfolding. Inside the facility, modern aquaculture systems operate efficiently as perch, snakehead fish, and other freshwater species swim in the tanks. In the control room, staff closely monitor water quality indicators, including temperature, pH level, total alkalinity, and total hardness.

“The indoor aquaculture base has built 56 farming tanks and supporting facilities, forming eight complete aquaculture systems. We currently raise about 8 tons of fish, which will soon be released to the market in batches,” said the person in charge of the base.

The facility has also established greenhouses for crop cultivation, making full use of organic matter from fish waste to provide nutrients for flowers such as roses, creating a model of integrated ecological farming.

To further develop the industry, local governments have partnered with universities to establish an aquaculture research institute, which provides support in areas including breeding, technological upgrading, and green development. They have also launched the regional public brand “Kunlun Jade Crab” to enhance product competitiveness and brand recognition. In 2025, the total output value of fisheries in Hetian county increased by 141.2 percent year on year.

By Lyu Shaogang, Wang Yongzhan, Wang Haonan, People’s Daily

According to a 2026 report on China’s science fiction industry released by the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, China’s science fiction industry generated 126.1 billion yuan ($18.61 billion) in revenue in 2025, up 15.7 percent year on year. The industry has exceeded the 100-billion-yuan mark for three consecutive years.

Driven by stronger original intellectual property (IP) development, advances in digital technologies, and innovative consumer experiences, China’s science fiction industry is becoming deeply integrated with a wide range of sectors, including literature, film and television, cultural tourism, manufacturing and education. An increasingly complete industrial ecosystem is taking shape.

At Guangming Science City, an innovation hub in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, Wu Yan, a professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology and celebrated sci-fi writer, was working with Chen Yuehong, cultural consultant of Shenzhen’s Guangming district, and Yin Di, associate professor at the College of Theatre, Film and Television, Shenzhen University, to polish the plot for the final chapter of their jointly created science fiction trilogy.

Their in-depth discussion covered topics from the societal impacts of artificial intelligence to the ethical dilemmas of human immortality. “It was an incredibly fulfilling and refreshing dialogue,” said Wu, still feeling inspired by the wide-ranging exchange.

As a pilot zone for building the comprehensive national science center within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangming Science City is home to a cluster of major scientific facilities, where researchers work alongside cutting-edge laboratories and research platforms. 

At the end of last year, the science fiction division of the Pengcheng Academy of Literature was established there, focusing on the creation and incubation of sci-fi works and jointly promoting the development of Shenzhen’s homegrown science fiction literature and film projects.

The science city offers a bespoke creative venue for creators. They gain first-hand access to major scientific infrastructures while leveraging open exchange zones to spark and refine creative ideas. 

“Direct, on-site exposure to facilities like quantum computers fosters scientifically grounded imagination. The science city has cultivated fertile ground for sci-fi innovation and creation,” noted Chen.

Events including the Pengcheng Science Fiction Week, sci-fi literature forums and science drama festivals have been held one after another in Guangming Science City, attracting growing public interest. 

“Science fiction endures long-term social development with the wings of imagination, while  continuously inspiring scientific exploration with new ideas,” said Wang Lingyu, director of the Guangming District Library. 

Supported by top-tier research facilities such as the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen and the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, more and more seeds of science fiction creativity are taking root and growing in Guangming district.

In the film and television sector, emerging technologies are constantly expanding the boundaries of science fiction storytelling.

On a huge curved LED screen, a city skyline came alive with dense buildings and bustling streets. At the center of the stage, actors interacted with digital humans appearing above the city. On the monitor, computer-generated imagery was rendered in real time, bringing the scenes to life. At a virtual production studio of Chengdu Film and Television City’s digital production base in Sichuan province, southwest China, a science fiction TV drama was undergoing pre-production testing.

Since its launch, the virtual studio has used virtual 3D environments and extended reality technologies to recreate various filming scenarios and enable virtual production. 

“The studio has already developed more than 10 ready-to-use digital scene assets, including deserts and urban landscapes, making it especially suitable for shooting science fiction films,” said Zhong Ziming, a representative of the digital production base at Chengdu Film and Television City.

Unlike traditional green-screen filming, virtual production allows visual effects to be rendered in real time, bringing post-production work forward and shortening shooting schedules. 

Bai Yicong, vice president of the China Television Drama Production Industry Association, said that combining science fiction productions with cutting-edge virtual production technologies not only reduces the need for re-shoot and lowers the cost of building physical sets, but also solves challenges such as camera movement in complex scenes.

The integration of artificial intelligence has further enriched the digital assets available in virtual studios. “Creators can use artificial intelligence to generate key frames and incorporate them into digital environments, creating a wider range of science fiction scenarios,” Bai said. 

Meanwhile, the integration of science fiction and cultural tourism is also gaining momentum.

“The sense of participation and interaction was amazing. It felt like stepping straight inside a science fiction movie myself. It was both fun and rewarding.” Xu Shuyu, a resident of Beijing’s Tongzhou district, had just completed a space exploration experience with her child at a science fiction exploration center featuring the works of Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin.

Ye Shengwei, planning director of the culture and tourism company under Beijing Investment Group, said the exploration center was transformed from a former industrial site and features five major immersive experience zones as well as a panoramic interactive theater. 

Drawing inspiration from six of Liu’s classic works, including The Wandering Earth, The Sea of Dreams and The Time Migration, the center transforms literary imagination into immersive spatial experiences through cinematic settings, interactive lighting effects and digital installations.

Visitors can put on virtual reality headsets to explore the evolution of the universe or join a mission as members of the “earth defense force” and work with others to protect the planet. 

“Our goal is to shift visitors from spectators into participants, letting them fully experience the world of science fiction firsthand,” Ye said. Since officially opening in March this year, the center has welcomed nearly 10,000 visitors.

In recent years, more and more science fiction-themed cultural tourism projects have emerged. Many of them are exploring immersive settings, high-quality content and diversified experiences. They are becoming not only cultural tourism destinations, but also important platforms for science education.

By Fang Yuan, People’s Daily

How should traditional manufacturers respond to the rise of intelligent technologies? It is a question they can no longer avoid.

Inside a model workers’ innovation studio at the cold working branch of Harbin Electric Machinery Works, a subsidiary of Harbin Electric Corporation in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, a meeting on collaborative robotics was in full swing. 

Rather than discussing whether to adopt intelligent manufacturing, participants focused on how to make it work better. 

Some pointed out that robots still required too much preparation time before operation. Others suggested expanding their ability to adapt to different production scenarios. Improving coordination among multiple robots was also high on the agenda.

Before the meeting, Liu Zhipeng, head of the intelligent welding team, had walked through the workshop with a notebook in hand, asking welders one by one what they thought about smart manufacturing and what improvements they hoped to see. Their suggestions were carefully recorded and brought directly to the discussion table.

Three years ago, Liu could hardly have imagined such a scene.

The cold working branch is responsible for welding key components used in large hydropower and nuclear power equipment. In the past, all welding work was done manually. Welders had to wear airtight heat-resistant suits and crouch beside workpieces heated to as much as 150 degrees Celsius. The work was physically exhausting, while maintaining consistent quality and efficiency was difficult.

Manual welding depends heavily on both skill and physical condition. After one or two hours of continuous work, fatigue would inevitably set in, making it hard to keep weld seams uniform and consistent.

In the autumn of 2023, the branch decided to introduce collaborative robots and embark on the path of intelligent welding.

Getting the robots onto the factory floor, however, proved to be only the beginning. Liu still remembers that programming the robot to complete its first weld seam took him three full days. “The robot simply didn’t understand hydropower products,” he recalled.

Most hydropower components are non-standardized products. Rivers differ in sediment content, while turbine units vary in structure, size, and materials. There is no universal program that can be applied across all projects.

Working closely with robot manufacturers, frontline production teams gradually translated the welders’ craftsmanship, including welding patterns, wire-feed rates, and torch movement speeds, into programming language that the robots could understand. Little by little, the machines became more capable and reliable.

“Intelligent welding has doubled our efficiency,” Liu said. “In the past, a welder could use at most 25 to 30 kilograms of welding material a day. Now a single robot can consume more than 50 kilograms in the same period.” In a new workshop that began operation this March, 30 welding robots have already been put into service.

Behind the gains in productivity is a new enthusiasm among workers for learning digital skills. “The workers are eager to learn programming and compete for opportunities to operate the robots,” Liu said.

To encourage innovation, the company has introduced special incentive programs. Workers who develop welding process packages for different welding positions receive additional rewards. Regular skills competitions are also held, with the five most efficient performers each month receiving both financial bonuses and public commendation.

Liu himself is currently applying for an invention patent for what he calls an “adaptive welding method.” The company has provided comprehensive support throughout the process, from training and application guidance to document preparation and revision.

“In the past, patents felt like something for researchers,” he said. “After joining training sessions, I realized that good ideas from ordinary workers can become patents too.”

In recent years, the Heilongjiang provincial federation of trade unions has introduced a series of initiatives to support industrial workers enhancing their innovative skills. These include a three-year action plan to enhance workforce skills, under which one million workers receive training annually, and an educational advancement program that provides eligible industrial workers with a 1,000-yuan ($147.65) subsidy to pursue further academic qualifications.

For workers like Liu, these policies have opened new opportunities for professional growth.

“In the old days, welders had to hunch over workpieces, and the welding arcs would sting their eyes badly,” Liu said. “Today, we operate with just a tablet. Work efficiency has risen, occupational illnesses have dropped, and we can even turn our know-how and skills into patents. This is what industrial workers look like in the new era.”

By Liu Jiahua, People’s Daily

At the Liaohekou National Nature Reserve in Panjin, northeast China’s Liaoning province, Tian Jiguang, director of the marine animal research office at Panjin wetland conservation association, pointed to a nearby mudflat where over 10 grey-and-white spotted seals gathered.

“The western Pacific spotted seal is a national first-class protected species, and the Liaohe River estuary is its only breeding ground in China,” Tian explained. This year, the peak daily count of seals coming ashore reached 451, setting a new record for the third consecutive year, he added.

“Whenever boats pass by, people now make a point of steering clear of the mudflats, slowing down, and keeping noise to a minimum,” said Song Jiali, a 63-year-old fisherman who also serves as an information officer at the association and patrols local waters every day. 

More than 30 fishermen like him now work as volunteer observers and patrol personnel. Over the past decade, more than 20 spotted seals have been successfully rescued and released back into the wild in the Liaohe estuary region.

In the past, spotted seals would breed and recuperate at the estuary before migrating northward. In recent years, however, Tian has noticed a growing number choosing to stay.

“Spotted seals are highly sensitive to changes in the marine environment. Their population is an important indicator of ecosystem health,” he said. “More than a decade ago, we could monitor only a few dozen.”

The situation was very different in the past. Large-scale coastal aquaculture had fragmented extensive wetland areas into a patchwork of enclosed ponds. Vegetation deteriorated, seawater became polluted, and coastal ecosystems suffered significant damage.

“When vegetation disappeared, bottom-dwelling organisms declined. Without them, fish stopped coming, and naturally the seals lost interest in the area as well,” Tian explained.

In 2015, an ecological restoration project was launched in the Liaohe estuary, focusing on converting aquaculture ponds back into wetlands and rebuilding the ecological cycle linking rivers, the sea, and wetlands.

According to Sun Lei, deputy director of Panjin’s natural resources bureau, years of restoration efforts have led to the withdrawal of all 598 aquaculture operators from the area. Aquaculture facilities were completely dismantled, 366 sewage discharge outlets flowing into the sea eliminated, around 5,727 hectares of wetlands restored, and 17.6 kilometers of natural coastline rehabilitated, breathing new life into the coastal wetland ecosystem.

On the mudflats, five wetland transport vehicles line up as workers sow seeds of seepweed, while drones on the other side of tidal channels scatter the same seeds from above. Combining manual planting with drone technology has overcome terrain constraints and enabled more comprehensive and targeted ecological restoration.

“Seepweed helps reduce soil salinity, enrich soil nutrients, and provide habitat for a wide range of species, but it needs very specific growing conditions,” Sun said.

As part of marine ecological conservation and restoration efforts, Panjin conducted extensive surveys of topography, soil conditions, and ecological environments. Researchers carried out hydrodynamic simulations, soil salinization analyses, and vegetation suitability studies to develop targeted plans for micro-topography adjustments and tidal channel excavation.

As the marine ecosystem improves, fishery resources are also recovering.

Panjin Agricultural Development Group has established two national-level marine ranching demonstration zones. Surveys have identified five major categories of harvestable resources, including fish, shrimp, crabs, cephalopods, and specialty marine products. 

Community structures have become healthier and more stable, reversing previous trends of resource depletion and limited species diversity. The result has been a win-win outcome of ecological restoration and industrial upgrading.

Last year, Panjin produced 40,000 tons of marine aquaculture products, up 4.1 percent year on year.

Wetland restoration has also transformed reeds into a thriving local industry. Degraded reed marshes have gradually recovered, with both reed growth and overall stock increasing steadily. Panjin’s reed wetlands now remain stable at around 800 kilometers, producing approximately 400,000 tons of reeds annually.

Industries such as ecological co-cultivation of fish, shrimp, and crabs beneath reed stands, along with reed-straw processing, have continued to expand. Various business entities have created employment opportunities, helping local residents increase their incomes close to home.

Spotted seals are not the only sign of Panjin’s marine ecological recovery. 

A total of 336 bird species have been recorded in the Liaohe estuary, the world’s largest breeding ground for the Chinese black-headed gull. Along the 18-kilometer beachside corridor, photography enthusiasts capture spectacular scenes of flocks taking flight, visitors participate in immersive eco-tourism experiences, and children learn about wetland ecosystems through educational exhibits.

Last year, the area welcomed 1.05 million tourist visits and generated more than 50 million yuan ($7.38 million) in tourism revenue.

Against blue skies, amid red seepweed beaches, green reed fields, and the calls of birds, a picture of harmony between people and nature is unfolding across the Liaohe estuary.

“Prioritizing conservation while using resources rationally lets the marine economy deliver both economic and ecological benefits,” said an official from the Panjin development and reform commission. “This is higher-quality, truly sustainable development.”

By Zhang Yikai, Shen Wenmin, People’s Daily

On Changxing Island in Shanghai’s Chongming district, a new high-tech vessel was launched roughly every seven and a half days last year.

Today, order books at shipbuilders on the island, including Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., both under China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, are already filled through around 2030.

Behind the ability to build better ships and build them faster is one driving force: innovation.

Process innovation is reshaping how ships are built.

“Shipbuilding is like assembling building blocks. The larger each module becomes, the faster the assembly process,” said Qu Huanjun, deputy director of Production Operations Department II at Jiangnan Shipyard, as he guided People’s Daily reporters through the construction process of a 175,000-cubic-meter LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier.

At the dockyard, enormous hull blocks towering more than 10 stories high and resembling giant slices of the ship’s body were lifted simultaneously by twin gantry cranes and precisely joined together.

Nearby, massive cargo tank ring sections weighing thousands of tons slowly moved on transport systems toward floating docks, where they were launched and moored before installation of containment systems began.

“Over the past two years, improvements in precision during block joining and transportation have allowed these processes to be carried out simultaneously across different production areas before final assembly,” Qu explained.

Today, the construction cycle for an LNG carrier on the island has been reduced from more than 30 months to around 16 to 18 months, reaching internationally leading levels.

Technological innovation is also reducing labor intensity while improving efficiency.

Inside a giant cargo tank designed to store LNG at minus 163 degrees Celsius, machines hummed continuously. 

Stud mounting robots and insulation panel fitting robots stretched their extendable arms and carried out automatic construction work along the inner walls of the gigantic 50,000-cubic-meter decahedron vessel.

These robots, co-developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Jiangnan Shipyard, have replaced dangerous high-altitude and edge operations previously carried out manually while doubling efficiency.

“Slightly shake the welding torch and keep the angle lower…” 

Several hundred meters away in another workshop, senior welder Li Taotao demonstrated multi-layer welding techniques while lying sideways inside steel structures barely wider than an arm.

“My job is to translate Li’s craftsmanship into code and teach it to our new seven-axis automatic welding robots,” explained Luo Cheng, assistant researcher at the hull quality intelligent control research center under Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Changxing Ocean Laboratory.

“The goal is for robots entering similarly confined structures to start working much faster,” She said.

As she spoke, Luo continuously photographed welding operations and made notes. Her phone contained hundreds of images of different steel structures.

Changxing Ocean Laboratory alone hosts 22 research teams like this, closely connected with shipbuilding and marine engineering companies across the island.

Meanwhile, nearly 20 marine research institutions, including the Shanghai Research Center of Hanjiang National Laboratory, the 704 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute, have gathered on the island to tackle key technological bottlenecks.

Collaborative innovation in core technologies has strengthened resilience across industrial and supply chains.

In early April, on the dock of Jiangnan Shipyard, Zhang Yan, a research and development engineer from Shanghai Qiyao Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. under the 711 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, grew teary-eyed as he witnessed China’s first domestically built large cryogenic reliquefaction system for LNG carriers being slowly lowered and fully mounted onto a ship.

Dubbed a “super refrigerator,” this reliquefaction unit continuously reliquefies vaporized natural gas. “Magnetic levitation rotors weighing dozens of kilograms spin tens of thousands of times every minute, yet their vibration amplitude measure less than half the diameter of a human hair,” Zhang said. “We had no prior references to draw upon. We had to review and sum up lessons repeatedly amid nearly 1,000 failed trials.”

As technological breakthroughs accumulated, localization rates for supporting equipment supplied to shipbuilders such as Jiangnan Shipyard and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding rose from less than 30 percent over a decade ago to around 80 percent today.

Since 2020, output from Changxing Island’s shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment sector has grown rapidly. In 2025, total output value exceeded 90 billion yuan ($13.3 billion).

According to an official with the Administrative Committee for the Development and Construction of Changxing Island, Shanghai aims to build Changxing Island into a world-class modern shipbuilding hub, with plans to expand industrial output beyond 120 billion yuan by 2027.

By Han Chunyao, People’s Daily

“Many online listeners initially thought it was the anthem song for the FIFA World Cup, only to learn it is actually a company anthem.”

Recently, the Song of Chambishi Copper Mine, an anthem from a Chinese-operated copper mine in Zambia, took social media by storm. In the viral video, a group of local workers dressed in white shirts and black trousers sing passionately beneath a tent under the blazing African sun.

“From the depths of hardship we rise again, through storms and flames we press ahead…”

Driven by a rousing melody and hopeful, uplifting lyrics, the song struck a chord with views worldwide. Thousands online said its messages of grit and unwavering optimism left them deeply moved.

How did a workplace anthem sung by miners manage to cross oceans and captivate audiences far beyond Africa? The answer lies not only in its memorable tune, but also in the powerful story of renewal, development, and shared success behind the lyrics.

As the song’s lyrics suggest, the Chambishi Copper Mine itself fought its way back from ruin. 

Discovered in the late 19th century, the site was eventually abandoned by Western operators because of technical challenges and financial difficulties, leaving behind what many considered an unsalvageable asset. 

After acquiring the project through international bidding, a Chinese company invested heavily, upgraded equipment, and built Africa’s first digitalized mine, overcoming one longstanding challenge after another and breathing new life into what had once been regarded as a depleted operation.

This was not a story of pursuing quick profits, but of making a long-term commitment. It was not about resource extraction, but about empowering local communities and driving lasting local development. The mine’s transformation reflects the values of a major country committed to enabling development and highlights China’s long-term approach to international cooperation.

After restarting operations, the Chinese company directly created more than 6,200 jobs while continuing to improve local infrastructure and educational conditions. 

When the 2008 global financial crisis sent shockwaves through commodity markets, the company made a public vow: it would not slash output, lay off any staff, or scale back investment by a single penny. 

Such commitment underscored its dual focus on not only economic returns but also social responsibility, offering a vivid example of what mutually beneficial cooperation truly means.

The song is composed by Chinese staff stationed at the mine, while the performers are members of a grassroots band made up of local employees. The company purchased musical instruments for the group and allocated funding to support cultural activities. 

This human-first mindset and the close bonds forged between people transcend nationality, race, and cultural background, giving the song a power that reaches through the screen and touches audiences afar.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, as well as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. 

Over these seven decades, countless stories like that of Chambishi have emerged from China-Africa cooperation. China-provided hybrid rice has helped Africans combat hunger; railways and highways built by Chinese companies on the continent have strengthened connectivity; Luban Workshops have trained skilled professionals for Africa; the recently introduced zero-tariff policy has expanded market access for African products. 

As cooperation continues to expand in scope and diversify in form, China has remained committed to high-level opening up and to sharing development opportunities with its African partners.

China, with its openness and inclusiveness, pursues modernization through a path of peaceful development. 

While some countries seek to redraw spheres of influence through conflict and power politics, China remains committed to peaceful development. 

While some erect “small yard, high fences” and promote decoupling and supply-chain disruption, China continues to champion openness and cooperation. 

At a time when anti-globalization sentiment and protectionism are on the rise, China remains a steadfast supporter of multilateralism. 

Guided by the belief that it is important to pursue the larger interests of all countries, China honors its commitments and follows through on its promises.

“Together, let us create a brighter future for this planet.” That is the message carried by the song. It celebrates industrial revitalization, expresses hopes for development, and embodies a precious friendship forged across continents. 

As this song of perseverance continues to resonate, each note contributes to the strength of cooperation, and each melody helps build bridges of understanding between peoples.