Nigeria Times

By Wang Yinxin, Li Junqiang, People’s Daily

At 3 p.m. in New York, an engineer named Mike at a U.S. startup received a new assignment. He turned to an AI assistant powered by a Chinese large model. After entering a few key requirements, a well-structured project plan appeared on his screen within seconds. With the help of this “smart assistant,” a task that once took half a day was completed in under 30 minutes.

Across global markets, a growing number of users are turning to Chinese large AI models to boost productivity. Each interaction consumes digital units known as “tokens” — the basic building blocks AI systems use to process language. In general, one Chinese character corresponds to one token, while an English word ranges from one to two tokens, including punctuation.

Since large models process limited text per session, most AI services charge based on token usage: higher consumption means higher costs.

In March this year, China’s daily token usage exceeded 140 trillion, a thousand-fold increase over two years. Industry data shows Chinese large AI models now rank among the global leaders in total token consumption.

Yan Yijun, vice president of Shanghai-based AI foundation model company MiniMax, explained: “Users apply clear criteria: first, the model must be intelligent, user-friendly and responsive, and capable of solving complex problems; second, pricing must be reasonable and commercially sustainable.”

Token consumption reflects real-world usage — indicating how deeply, frequently and extensively large AI models integrate into applications. “Chinese large AI models enjoy high-frequency use by global users. This is a form of recognition from users around the world,” Yan added.

For developers, balancing higher performance with lower cost is no easy task. Improvements in model capability are often come with exponential growth in parameters, which increases token consumption. The more tokens used, the higher the operating costs for companies and usage costs for users.

Yan cited the “MiniMax M2.5” model as a solution: “We use algorithmic innovation to create efficient reasoning paths, reducing token consumption at the source while increasing each token’s value.” 

Priced at $1 per hour, the model outputs 100 tokens per second. Estimates suggest Chinese models offer comparable performance at one-tenth the cost of U.S. alternatives. 

“The decline in costs reflects not only technological progress by Chinese AI companies, but also China’s strengths in power supply and industrial chains,” said Li Zhiqing, a professor at the School of Economics at Fudan University.

China’s vast range of application scenarios serve as AI testing grounds. By December 2025, generative AI users in China had reached 602 million, up 141.7 percent from a year earlier. 

This rapidly expanding user base is accelerating AI’s transition from novelty to everyday tool, extending its use beyond internet applications into areas such as office collaboration and industrial design. 

At the same time, growing adoption provides continuous feedback, enhancing models’ ability to handle complex tasks and opening new avenues for development.

“Ultimately, AI development depends on electricity,” Li noted. “An AI server consumes five to eight times more power than a traditional server. Training a large model requires hundreds of millions of kilowatt-hours of electricity, while daily operations can exceed 500,000 kilowatt-hours. Power costs are therefore a key factor shaping the global distribution of computing capacity.”

Here, China excels. With the world’s largest power supply system, supported by ultra-high-voltage transmission networks and large-scale integration of renewable energy, China has established a stable and cost-effective foundation for computing power.

Today, abundant and affordable green energy, from wind farms in western deserts to solar installations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is being fed into the grid and efficiently transmitted to eastern computing hubs through independently developed multi-level intelligent dispatch systems.

“In addition, China’s well-developed AI supply chain further reduces industry costs,” Li said. Strong coordination across sectors — including AI chips, servers, computing infrastructure, cross-border networks, edge computing, and international settlement — has created a comprehensive full-chain advantage.

Li offered a comparison: traditionally, one kilowatt-hour of electricity generates one to two times its value in output. But in the case of tokens, the value can increase dozens or even hundreds of times. “China is now transforming its strengths in energy and manufacturing into digital value for the global market,” he said.

By Wang Yunshan, People’s Daily

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now integrated into a vast array of practical applications, from searching information and writing code to refining content, financial risk management, intelligent customer service, and debugging. Behind each of these applications lies the extensive use of a fundamental unit: the Token.

A token represents the smallest unit of information processed by large AI models. “At their core, AI large models are complex mathematical systems. They cannot directly understand text, sound or images in the human way,” said Tang Huabin, deputy director of the Network and IT Technology Research Institute at the China Mobile Research Institute. 

“They first convert raw data into a processable form, and Tokens are the basic units of that ‘language,'” Tang added.

In March 2026, China’s average daily token usage exceeded 140 trillion, representing a more than thousand-fold increase in just two years.

“The most direct driver of this explosive growth is the improvement in model capabilities,” said Wu Di, head of intelligent algorithms at Volcano Engine, a cloud service platform under ByteDance. “Each advancement in model performance unlocks new applications, leading directly to surges in Token consumption.” For example, generating a one-minute video using Doubao’s (ByteDance’s AI tool) Seedance 2.0 video generation model consumes over one million Tokens.

During March 2026, China ranked among the world’s most active users of large AI models, with weekly token usage leading globally for three consecutive weeks.

New application formats and business models are also fueling rapid growth. “Simple tasks may only require a few thousand tokens, but more complex tasks involving dozens of tool interactions can consume tens of thousands or more,” Wu said. The emergence of AI agents and other new forms of application is pushing token usage into a fast-growth phase.

Li Jiayi, founder of software and information technology services company Love Q&A Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., used around 6 billion tokens over the past year.

At a 16-square-meter studio in the AI Genesis Community in Beijing’s Haidian district, Li’s team is currently testing a newly developed AI-powered toy. 

“To make the toy interactive requires supporting software. Previously, developing such a system would take at least six months and require a team effort,” Li said. Leveraging AI models and coding assistance tools — at a cost of hundreds of millions of Tokens — the development cycle has been reduced to just two months.

Li, without formal computer science training, began using AI-assisted programming tools in early 2025, overcoming traditional technical barriers. “Within a year, we developed two apps and one AI toy. Recently, we also showcased our self-developed AI hardware at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES),” he said. AI has significantly reduced development costs while enabling small and micro-sized businesses to explore innovation more effectively.

Overall, token usage is most concentrated in sectors with higher information density, faster product iteration cycles and closer integration between models and production systems. According to Wu, the internet industry leads in token usage in Doubao, followed by consumer electronics, finance, new retail and business services.

Looking ahead, application scenarios such as software development, in-depth research and personal assistants are expected to drive further growth in token consumption. 

“In software development in particular, AI is evolving from writing code to understanding entire projects. It can now identify errors, optimize performance and even complete development tasks autonomously through agents,” Tang said. “With longer code contexts and more interaction rounds, enterprises are more willing to pay for efficiency gains. This will become a major source of demand growth.”

“Since late January this year, some model companies have achieved revenue in just 20 days that exceeds their total earnings for all of 2025,” said Liu Liehong, head of China’s National Data Administration. “This reflects the rapid emergence of a new business logic built on Token-based pricing.”

Tokens are measurable, linked to computing power consumption and applicable across multiple modalities, making them an effective unit for connecting technological supply with commercial demand. “You can think of it this way: the intelligence output of large models is like electricity, while computing centers are like power plants. Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours, and AI usage is measured in tokens,” said Huang Shan, strategy director of Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group.

Looking ahead, as society becomes increasingly intelligent, AI is expected to function as a basic resource—like water or electricity—available on demand, with users paying only for what they consume, Huang added.

By Dou Hao, People’s Daily

Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province, is rapidly developing a thriving open-source AI community. This ecosystem connects developers, startups, and industry resources, accelerating the transformation of ideas into real-world applications.

At the center of this ecosystem is the ModelScope community, one of China’s largest open-source platforms for AI large models. Jointly initiated by the China Computer Federation’s Opensource Development Committee and Chinese multinational conglomerate Alibaba, the platform hosts more than 170,000 open-source models and serves over 25 million developers worldwide. 

Covering areas such as conversational AI, text-to-image generation and video synthesis, it provides one-stop services including model downloading, fine-tuning and training.

Online collaboration is now being reinforced by offline interaction. In November last year, a ModelScope Developer Center opened in Xihu district, Hangzhou. Spanning more than 10,000 square meters, the center offers a physical space where developers exchange ideas, collaborate on projects and even find partners to launch startups.

For 25-year-old entrepreneur Zhou Jie, the center functions as both a workplace and a springboard. After lunch, he headed to a shared desk where he and his partner Liu Xuannan run their startup. 

On his screen, a humanoid robot moved agilely through a “cyber ruins” game environment, responding to voice commands to jump over obstacles.

The game, developed by Zhou and Liu during a global hackathon in January, progressed from concept to a playable version in under 48 hours.

The process was smoother than they expected, Zhou said. Open-source models eliminated costly licensing fees, computing power was covered by ModelScope’s free quota, and cloud-based tools were readily available. Together, these factors significantly reduced development costs.

Zhou, who previously worked in game development for an internet company, decided to start his own business after recognizing AI’s rapid advancement. He has since developed several AI tools and plans to upload them to the ModelScope platform to benefit more users.

The community’s open and collaborative approach has attracted a growing number of participants. Model downloads have exceeded 100 million, while the ModelScope Developer Center in Hangzhou has already signed contracts with over 50 companies and brought in more than 100 resident developers.

Technical exchange events are commonplace within the center. At a recent seminar on multimodal models, the venue was filled to capacity. Zhou noted that face-to-face interaction has helped transform loose online connections into deeper, more effective collaboration.

The center integrates multiple functions, including AI application experience zones, seminar rooms, demo halls and startup incubation spaces, aiming to provide a full-cycle support system — from idea generation to product deployment.

Beyond workspace and networking, practical support is also a key attraction. When Zhou first launched his business, he was unfamiliar with administrative procedures. “From submitting documents to getting a business license, it took less than a day,” he said. “Staff guided me through everything, freeing me to focus on the product.”

The benefits extend further. With the center’s matchmaking services, Zhou’s game technology—combining voice interaction and scene generation—is now being integrated into a local cultural tourism project, turning innovation into commercial orders.

Such connections are becoming routine. According to Rao Siyi, deputy general manager of matchmaking company Hangzhou Scene, the company has cataloged 292 industry demands and 362 technical capabilities. “Previously, technologies often remained theoretical while s struggled to find solutions. Now, we provide both online matching tools and offline meeting spaces to connect them directly,” Rao said.

Policy support adds further appeal. Qualified talent at the center can receive subsidies for housing and other incentives, while resident companies are eligible for rent-free office space of up to 200 square meters.

By linking a vibrant online open-source ecosystem with offline collaboration and real industrial demand, Hangzhou is building a comprehensive support system covering the full lifecycle of innovation. So far, the ModelScope “innovation space” has incubated more than 10,000 AI applications, with over 1.6 billion calls made through its model context protocol services.

By Fang Min, People’s Daily

In Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan province, a growing number of young entrepreneurs are turning their ideas into viable businesses, thanks to a supportive ecosystem that removes many of the common barriers to starting up.

Du Zhenyang, 30, exemplifies this trend. Leading a team focused on AI-powered drone technologies within the Zhengzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, he is striving for automation breakthroughs. His company’s heavy-lift drones now serve over 500 clients.

Du’s passion for drones ignited during his studies at Zhengzhou University. The entrepreneurial spark persisted after graduation. Despite spending two years working in Beijing, he ultimately chose to return home to launch his venture.

Like many young founders, Du faced concerns: securing workspace, funding, assembling a team, and accessing markets all seemed formidable. Talent shortages, financing difficulties, and limited market access often discourage aspiring entrepreneurs at the outset.

Bracing for setbacks, Du was pleasantly surprised by a smoother-than-expected journey. The initial challenge of finding office and research space was swiftly resolved. With coordination from Zhengzhou University and the local government, his team was granted two years of free access to university lab. The Zhengzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone also provided well-equipped office space at favorable rates through government-backed incubators.

Securing designated airspace for test flights was another hurdle. Du submitted an application, and the Zone worked with local schools to set aside unused areas on campus for testing. For extreme high-altitude trials, the Zone coordinated with Zhengzhou Shangjie Airport to secure access to new flight zones. “I anticipated navigating everything alone, but the government streamlined the process,” Du remarked.

With facilities secured, research progressed until a shortage of specialized talent emerged as the next bottleneck. Drone development spans multiple disciplines; while Du specialized in flight control software, his team lacked structural design expertise. 

During routine visits, local officials identified similar challenges among startup teams. In response, relevant officials worked with Zhengzhou University and the city’s human resources authorities to provide targeted support. Six experts from different fields were brought in to offer hands-on guidance, helping the team overcome technical hurdles. Meanwhile, recruitment platforms helped attract more skilled professionals.

“Talents are willing to join us thanks to Zhengzhou’s subsidies and housing support,” said Du. Young people with college degrees or above can apply directly for talent apartments. Internship subsidies and social insurance contributions have also significantly reduced the company’s labor costs, he added.

The company launched its first self-developed drone in 2022, followed by a heavy-lift model in 2023. But as the products entered the market, new challenges emerged.

Once again, local authorities stepped in — connecting Du’s company with established firms, linking it to industry resources, and helping build a sales network.

“Government support was crucial in turning our research into real products,” Du said. Today, his drones are widely used in photovoltaic panel cleaning, mountainous logistics, and industrial inspection, becoming a leading example in the region’s drone sector.

Du’s experience reflects Zhengzhou’s broader efforts in recent years to support young innovators and entrepreneurs. By addressing weak links and improving services, the city is fostering a mutually reinforcing relationship between talent and urban development.

Zhengzhou has built 292 startup incubators, established 374 designated vocational training institutions that have provided tailored training to nearly 1.19 million participants, and set up five entrepreneurship service stations. 

The city has also secured over 201,000 units of talent housing and deployed 96 entrepreneurship mentors to provide ongoing guidance. Financial support has been strengthened through dedicated platforms, with 667 million yuan ($97.06 million) in technology loans and 3.09 billion yuan in startup-guarantee loans issued to date.

According to local officials, since 2022, Zhengzhou has attracted 992,000 young talents and incubated 15,000 enterprises. “Going forward, we will continue to ensure policy implementation, improve targeted support services, and optimize the business environment to attract even more talent,” an official said.

By Liu Hongchao, People’s Daily

In the waters north to the Manhua terminal in Suoyu Bay, Dalian, northeast China’s Liaoning province, gentle waves lapped against the quay.

Not far offshore, researcher Yuan Guoliang from the Liaoning Underwater Robot Engineering Research Center was fine-tuning a piece of equipment. With a light tap, an orange underwater robot slipped quietly into the sea. On a nearby screen, underwater piles and seawall details came into sharp view, while real-time data on water quality and sediment flowed back to shore.

This scene contrasts starkly with past practices. “Years ago, we had to wear heavy diving suits and work in cold water. At best, we could operate for four or five hours a day, and it took a whole team to assist,” said Ma Yongxiang, head of a local seafood company.

Harvesting abalone and sea cucumbers once relied on perilous manual dives amid strong currents, high pressure, and poor visibility. “Few youth want such grueling work today,” Ma noted.

“Necessity drives innovation,” said Fu Xianping, dean of the Information Science and Technology College at Dalian Maritime University and director of the Liaoning Underwater Robot Engineering Research Center.

After years of development, the center has created the Haiying (Sea Eagle) series of underwater harvesting robots. Equipped with customized grippers, the robot can accurately identify and pick up sea cucumbers and abalone, and store them automatically. Operators control the system from a shore-based station, watching live video feeds of the seabed. Once the task is complete, the robot returns to the surface on its own — no divers required.

At a Dalian aquaculture farm, a Sea Eagle robot collected samples with unprecedented efficiency. “We now cover more than 40 sites daily versus just 3-4 manually,” Ma observed from shore. Such progress overcame daunting challenges: murky waters, unpredictable currents, and unreliable data transmission long hindered underwater robotics.

Working underwater is never easy. Coastal waters are often murky, with strong currents and very low visibility. Data transmission is also difficult, making real-time control a challenge. These factors have long constrained the development of intelligent underwater systems.

To tackle these challenges, the research center brought together more than 80 experts from different fields. After two years of work, the team developed an optical imaging model for turbid water and introduced a new imaging method based on light polarization, significantly improving underwater visibility.

For communication, the team designed a high-speed data transmission system using visible light arrays, enabling multiple robots to operate in coordination. They also built an integrated system linking underwater, surface, and low-altitude equipment, improving overall sensing and coordination in complex marine environments.

Today, the Haiying and Hai’ou (Sea Gull) robot series developed by Fu’s team are widely used in Dalian’s marine industry. Their sensors monitor parameters such as temperature and salinity at different depths, while onboard cameras track the growth of marine life and help assess health conditions. Equipped with robotic arms and harvesting tools, they can carry out precise and efficient operations.

Bridging cutting-edge technology and practical applications, a public innovation platform for smart ocean information technology was launched in 2025. Led by Dalian Maritime University and Zoneco Group, and supported by the Liaoning Underwater Robot Engineering Research Center, the public innovation platform for smart ocean information technology aims to speed up the application of new technologies.

Its innovations are already being widely applied. The Hai’ou I robot has been deployed at the construction site of northeast China’s first submarine cable with a 630-square-millimeter cross-section, carrying out real-time underwater supervision to ensure safety. The Hai’ou II robot assists in offshore drilling platform installation and pipeline inspections, supporting oil and gas development at sea. 

Besides, an underwater robot for Arctic research independently developed by the platform has joined scientific expeditions to the Arctic, supporting the collection of underwater environmental data. Another robot, designed to inspect underwater dam structures, has been delivered to a research institute under China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, where it plays an important role in water conservancy projects.

By Shen Jingran, People’s Daily

Nestled against steep mountainsides in Wushan county, Chongqing municipality, southwest China, flat terrain is scarce. For generations, navigating the town meant arduous climbs up slopes and staircases.

Running along the county’s central axis, Shennv Avenue once linked the upper and lower parts of the urban area with 1,136 steps. Walking the full route could take up to an hour. Those who chose to drive had to navigate winding mountain roads that zigzagged upward across multiple terraces, where traffic jams and parking difficulties were common.

Consequently, building a more convenient vertical transportation link has been a long-cherished aspiration of local residents.

This aspiration materialized in February of this year when a large escalator system, constructed along Shennv Avenue, commenced trial operations. Stretching about 905 meters in total length with a vertical rise of 242 meters, roughly equivalent to an 80-story building, the system includes 21 escalators, eight elevators, and four moving walkways. 

It connects key urban facilities such as government offices, hospitals, schools, and docks, benefiting more than 50,000 residents. Travel time between the upper and lower town has been reduced from one hour to just 20 minutes. So far, the escalator system has served over 1.32 million trips.

“The idea of building escalators dates back to 2002, coinciding with the stairway’s initial completion,” said Li Jinbo, an official with the county’s housing and urban-rural development bureau. “But at the time, both technology and funding were insufficient.”

As a relatively less-developed county, Wushan had to carefully manage its budget while meeting public demand for better infrastructure. With the acceleration of urban renewal in recent years, the project was finally put on the agenda.

During planning, professional institutions were commissioned. After extensive research on similar cases at home and abroad, 12 possible solutions, including light rail, rack railway, and escalators, were shortlisted. Expert evaluation prioritized safety, feasibility, and convenience, ultimately selecting the escalator system.

Public consultation confirmed strong resident support. “Easier travel between the upper and lower town was the paramount desire,” Li emphasized.Following thorough planning, civil engineering construction commenced in June 2024.

Designers prioritized preserving Wushan’s unique character. Given the shops lining Shennv Avenue’s middle and upper sections, the escalators were built on elevated corridors, allowing pedestrian movement underneath and maintaining access to storefronts. Multiple access points along the route support local business. Along the riverside section, the escalators were built close to the ground to minimize excavation and ensure safety.

Construction proved exceptionally challenging. The escalators follow the steep path of the original stairway, averaging a 40-degree gradient, which severely limited the use of heavy machinery.  Much of the building materials had to be carried up manually, step by step.

“In certain sections, construction was almost entirely done by hand,” said Zhang Jie, a project technical manager. “The site was narrow, and underground pipelines were densely packed, so every dig had to be extremely careful.”

The region’s karst terrain also posed challenges due to its soft foundation. “Foundation piles had to be driven 20 to 50 meters underground to ensure stability,” Zhang added.

For residents like 58-year-old Zeng Xiangui, who lives in Jixian community, the change is significant. He used to walk up and down Shennv Avenue twice a day.

“The stairs provided exercise, but at my age, my eyes and knees struggle,” he shared. “The escalators have made a tremendous difference.”

Wushan’s rugged terrain has long scattered public spaces like schools, hospitals, and parks across different elevations, almost as if they were “hanging” on the mountainside. The new escalator system connects these fragmented spaces, forming a vital “artery” for the city.

It is now an important part of the city’s pedestrian transport network, linking seamlessly with public transit, encouraging greener travel, and easing traffic pressure.

“This livelihood project has made travel safer and more convenient, bringing people closer to their city,” said Wang Xicai, deputy director of the county’s housing and urban-rural development bureau.

By Liu Shiyao, People’s Daily

China’s commercial space industry has taken another step forward with the successful maiden flight of the Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket, developed by CAS Space. 

The rocket was recently launched from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, successfully deploying multiple payloads — including the Qingzhou Cargo Spacecraft Test Vehicle, and other two satellites — into their designated orbits.

This inaugural flight of the Lijian-2 rocket highlights a series of technological innovations, notably its modular design and planned recoverability. Experts suggest these features could fundamentally reshape rocket manufacturing and operations.

A key innovation is the standardized design of the rocket’s core stage and boosters, which appear nearly identical. This deliberate uniformity allows for batch production of major components, enabling assembly similar to “building blocks.” This approach significantly streamlines manufacturing.

Lian Jie, deputy chief designer of the Lijian-2 rocket, explained that key components conform to uniform specifications. If a component malfunctions before launch, it can be swiftly replaced like a standard part, minimizing delays and enabling high-frequency launch capability.

The same philosophy applies to the rocket’s engines. Departing from tradition where core stages and boosters use different engines, the Lijian-2 employs a unified engine model.

The first stage utilizes nine fully interchangeable liquid rocket engines. The second stage features a modified version of the same engine with a larger nozzle for enhanced high-altitude efficiency. Essentially, all ten engines share the same core design, simplifying maintenance and replacement.

Lian Jie further detailed that the modular core and boosters allow the Lijian-2 to be configured flexibly with zero, two, or four boosters. This flexible booster arrangement gives the rocket a maximum thrust of up to 1,000 tons, with a low Earth orbit payload capacity ranging from 2 to 20 tons. 

The rocket is designed to support diverse missions, including cost-effective cargo transport, low-orbit satellite constellation deployment, and launches of scientific experimental satellites.

Beyond modular manufacturing, the Lijian-2 series is pioneering a novel recovery approach. Moving away from traditional stage-by-stage retrieval, it plans to implement an integrated recovery scheme where the boosters and core stage remain connected and return to Earth as a single unit.

According to Lian, this approach offers improved aerodynamic control, reduced landing impact, stronger propulsion redundancy, and less loss of payload capacity. It also increases the proportion of recoverable components within the rocket while simplifying recovery systems, helping to further reduce launch costs.

At present, cargo missions to China’s space station are primarily carried out by the Tianzhou series spacecraft. To further lower transportation costs and improve flexibility, China is exploring a new space logistics model driven by national demand and supported by commercial capabilities.

Within this framework, the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft has been developed as a lighter, more adaptable option. Weighing just 4.2 tons, it features a single-module integrated design and can be launched by multiple types of rockets.

The Qingzhou Cargo Spacecraft Test Vehicle carried on this mission housed 27 projects, including technology validation experiments, in-orbit testing, scientific research, and science outreach projects, with a total payload weight of 1.02 tons. It will conduct a series of in-orbit experiments at altitudes between 200 and 600 kilometers.

An expert with the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences noted that the test vehicle will focus on verifying key in-orbit technologies. Once operational, the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft is planned to dock with China’s space station and provide regular cargo delivery services.

Yang Haoliang, Commander-in-Chief of the Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket project, stated that the successful maiden flight, carrying the Qingzhou prototype, demonstrated China’s evolving space cargo transport capability. He noted a shift “from the accumulation of individual capabilities to a more integrated, system-level approach.”

“Commercial rockets will not only serve market needs but also take part in major national space missions to formal engineering standards in the future. We aim to provide more cost-effective and reliable, flight-like launch services,” Yang added.

By Song Haoxin, People’s Daily

Drone soccer, an emerging sport that combines aviation technology with soccer-style competition, is rapidly gaining popularity in China. The trend was on full display at the recent Ablefly National Drone Soccer Championship Finals held in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province, which was joined by 1,116 Chinese and foreign teams.

Inside the netted arena, players maneuvered spherical drones with handheld controllers, sending them darting through the air in swift offensive and defensive plays, while spectators watched in excitement as the buzzing drones traced dynamic arcs across the field.

Drone soccer is an emerging competitive sport that integrates drone flight control with the format of soccer. Players use remote controls, adjusting altitude and rotation with their left hand and directing forward, backward, left and right movement with their right, as if playing “soccer in the air.”

Matches follow a five-versus-five format. A valid goal is scored when a spherical drone fully passes through the opponent’s circular goal. Teams compete through group stages, cross knockouts, ranking matches, semifinals and the finals to determine the winner. On the field, the spherical drones fly at high speed, creating intense visual impact and high spectator appeal.

“This sport is powered by technologies such as multi-rotor propulsion systems, AI-based visual positioning, and anti-interference communication algorithms,” said event director Yang Xuefan. “The positioning error in multi-drone coordination is kept within 2 centimeters, turning cutting-edge technology into an accessible mass sport.”

“It’s incredibly exciting — like playing chess on a 3D board. You need both quick reflexes and tactical thinking,” said a contestant from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. 

From precise control and teamwork to real-time decision-making, players sharpen concentration, judgment, and coordination in high-speed competition. Many participants noted that the sport not only enhances their understanding of flight technology but also offers an immersive experience at the intersection of tech and athletics.

In the stands, waves of applause and astonishment echoed throughout the venue. “I thought it was just flying drones, but the competition is intense and highly technological,” said a spectator from Chongqing municipality. 

For many, it was their first close-up encounter with drone soccer — and a glimpse into what “future sports” might look like. An interactive zone set up during the event also attracted families, allowing children to experience the appeal of low-altitude technologies firsthand.

Beyond the excitement on the field, the event also highlighted the development of low-altitude economy in Chengdu. Alongside the competition, exhibitions on Chengdu’s smart sports development and on the low-altitude industry in Shuangliu district, Chengdu were held, showcasing the achievements of more than 30 local enterprises.

Drone soccer is gaining significant traction in Chengdu. The city is promoting it as a key school sport, training teachers and integrating it into science education curricula.

“Drone soccer is not just a trendy sport, it is a vital link connecting young people, aviation technology, and low-altitude economy,” said an official from the Chengdu sports bureau. “In the future, relevant technologies, standards, and talent pool can be extended to fields such as logistics, inspection, and emergency response.”

By Wang Xinyue, Liu Wenxin, People’s Daily

Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO secured a historic breakthrough at the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), winning both races in the Supersport (SSP) class in Portugal round on March 28 and 29, local time. 

This marked the first time a Chinese-made motorcycle has claimed victory in a top-tier international competition, ending decades of dominance by European, American and Japanese brands in the category.

“I’ve waited 20 years for this moment,” said Zhang Xue, founder of Chongqing-based ZXMOTO, following the win.

The winning machine, the 820RR-RS, was developed from the production 820RR model launched just days earlier on March 21. In the opening race, the rider powered to victory with a commanding lead of nearly four seconds, underscoring the bike’s competitive edge.

While the win surprised many, for Zhang, it represented the culmination of a two-decade journey. His story began far from the racetrack. Twenty years ago, Zhang worked as an apprentice in a small repair shop in rural Xiangxi, Hunan province in central China, drenched in engine oil and surrounded by spare parts. At the time, Chinese-made motorcycles were often overlooked, but he held onto an audacious ambition: to build a world-class, high-performance motorcycle for China.

A defining moment came when Zhang was 19. He rode an aging secondhand motorcycle — older than himself — over 100 kilometers through cold rain and winding mountain roads, chasing a media crew for a chance to be seen by a professional racing team. His determination paid off, opening the door to a career in motorsports.

“That was the most important bike in my life. It’s where my dream started,” he recalled. Through years of dedication, he rose from a repair apprentice to a prizewinner in national motorcycle maintenance competitions. Yet Zhang wanted more than just fixing bikes; he was determined to build championship-winning machines.

“Why are all the bikes on the track foreign brands? Can’t we build our own high-performance motorcycles?” he recalled asking himself.

In 2013, Zhang moved to Chongqing municipality in southwest China with just 20,000 yuan (about $2,700), drawn by its strong industrial base as China’s “motorcycle capital.”

“The reason Zhang’s team can rapidly roll out high-performance vehicles at relatively controllable costs is essentially that the industrial chain has developed the supporting capacity for high-performance products,” said Zhang Lipeng, deputy director of the Tianjin Internal Combustion Engine Research Institute.

Chongqing is home to 51 major motorcycle manufacturers and more than 410 parts suppliers. Over 80 percent of components can be sourced locally, from engines and frames to electronic control systems.

From research and development and mass production to iterative upgrades, high-performance motorcycles can rely on solid industrial support right here.

“Here, you can find almost every motorcycle component you need,” Zhang said.

Starting with modifications, he gradually built a team, established a brand, and moved into independent research and development — investing his time, energy and even all his personal savings into the venture.

Under WSBK rules, race bikes must be based on production models with only limited modifications. As Zhang Lipeng noted, this means competitive success largely reflects the commercial version’s inherent performance capabilities.

Lightweight design proved decisive. Zhang said his team reduced the bike’s weight by about 10 percent compared with competitors. The production 820RR weighs 193 kilograms, while the race version was trimmed to just 175 kilograms.

This engineering advantage translated into commercial success. In 2025, ZXMOTO’s sales exceeded 25,000 units, with total output value reaching 745 million yuan and R&D investment approaching 70 million yuan. Its products are now exported to markets including Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

Looking ahead, Zhang identified Europe and North America as key targets for further expansion.

According to Zhang Lipeng, high-performance motorcycles require the integration of multiple systems, including powertrains, frame rigidity, suspension geometry, aerodynamics and electronic controls. With thousands of precision components involved, manufacturing demands are extremely high.

“Before 2015, key technologies such as electronic fuel injection relied heavily on foreign suppliers,” Zhang Lipeng said, adding that in recent years, domestic companies have made steady breakthroughs.

The success of ZXMOTO would not have been possible without Zhang’s own dedication and expertise. At the same time, it shows that after more than 40 years of development, China’s domestic motorcycle industry has continuously matured its research and development and supply chain systems. Technologies that were once constrained by foreign dominance, such as electronic control and tuning systems, are now reaching mid-to-high levels internationally.

“I hope Chinese motorcycle manufacturers will work together to secure a true place for domestic brands on the global map,” he said.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

At the recent 2026 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum Annual Conference, Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of the international tech magazine Wired, stated that China stands at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, including AI, and is poised to emerge as a truly “cool” benchmark that inspires the world. 

This view captures something many see happening in China: fueled by a bold, pioneering spirit, China’s tech innovation is stepping up globally. It’s bringing fresh energy to the world’s innovation scene.

What makes China cool is its pioneering spirit to take the lead on the world stage.

There was a time when some outside China saw its innovation as mostly copying others. Not anymore. Look at the facts: China’s leading in electric vehicles, wowing the world with its large AI models, expanding our moon knowledge with the Chang’e-6 far-side samples, and breaking new ground with super-strong carbon fiber materials. More and more “Created in China” achievements are filling gaps in global tech. 

The constant stream of innovative outcomes stems from long-term commitment and accumulated strength.

Sustained increases in research and development investment, expansion of the talent pool, and persistent efforts to overcome core key technologies have enabled successive “from zero to one” breakthroughs.

As a British media outlet observed, the power to define “original innovation” is quietly shifting east, and Western enterprises now find themselves needing to keep pace with China in innovation, production and standard-setting.

What makes China “cool” is also how widely and deeply its technologies integrate into daily life.

For instance, “swarm intelligence” dazzled at the 2026 ZGC Forum Annual Conference: robots running food stalls, robotic arms plucking strings and sewing needles, and augmented reality translation glasses enabling real-time interpretation across more than 100 languages and dialects. Attendees marveled that these technologies have been highly mature and have entered a stage of large-scale application.

China possesses the world’s largest, most comprehensive and complete manufacturing system. Coupled with the massive, diverse application scenarios nurtured by its ultra-large market, any proven technology can rapidly iterate, adapt to real-world settings and scale up production. Turning lab breakthroughs into everyday tools and blending cutting-edge science with practical uses — that’s a signature trait of Chinese innovation.

What makes China “cool” is also its commitment to openness and inclusive global sharing.

Scientific and technological progress is a global and epochal endeavor, and opening up and cooperation represent the only right path forward. 

While certain countries are building “small yards, high fences” in an attempt to monopolize competitive advantages through technological blockades, China has remained committed to opening up and cooperation, blazing a new trail of bridging divides via open source and achieving win-win results through shared development.

Chinese photovoltaic products have reached Pakistan, meeting local residents’ basic household electricity needs, supporting agricultural production and empowering small businesses. 

Applications of China’s BeiDou Satellite Navigation System have been deployed in Sri Lanka, enabling accurate weather monitoring and greatly boosting the efficiency of fishermen’s operations.

China has also opened 10 major national scientific research facilities to the world, turning its self-developed infrastructure into public goods for the benefit of all.

China’s practice demonstrates that the true value of scientific and technological innovation is not to let a handful of countries monopolize advantages, but to enable more people to share the benefits of technological progress and advancing common global development through inclusive technologies.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China’s innovation blueprint is growing clearer. The country will accelerate high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, foster new quality productive forces, intensify original innovation and core technological breakthroughs, expand the “AI+” initiative, and build a higher-level framework for international scientific cooperation. 

A China that continues to advance original innovation, speed up industrial transformation, and expand opening up will bring even more “cool” technologies and broader opportunities to the world.

To jointly foster an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological progress, and to translate the dynamism of cutting-edge innovation into common well-being for all humanity — this is China’s firm commitment, and a shared path leading all countries toward common prosperity.