Nigeria Times

People’s Daily reporters

Along the Mediterranean shores, Greece’s Port of Piraeus in Greece is bustling with activity and vitality. Massive cargo vessels line its docks, rows of containers stretch across the docks, towering cranes dominate the skyline, and China-Europe Land-Sea Express trains loaded with goods stand ready for departure.

A decade ago, this historic harbor faced near-irrelevance due to aging infrastructure, operational inefficiency, and outdated management. The turning point arrived in 2016 when China’s global shipping leader, COSCO Shipping, revitalized the port as a centerpiece of China-Greece collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Located about 10 kilometers southwest of Athens, Piraeus is Greece’s largest port. As one of the world’s oldest seaports, it occupies a strategic location, linking maritime routes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean, from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, and through the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.

A decade ago, however, the port faced severe challenges. Aging facilities, inefficient operations, and outdated management had left it struggling to compete. Many international shipping companies shifted their business elsewhere, and economic activity around the port stagnated. 

In 2016, COSCO Shipping officially assumed management of the port. At that time, the port handled approximately 3.74 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually and ranked 93rd among the world’s container ports. Today, it is one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean, with annual container throughput exceeding 5.6 million TEUs and a global ranking that has risen as high as 25th.

“The past 10 years have witnessed how the Port of Piraeus has transformed from a corner of the Mediterranean to a global hub,” Han Chao, chairman of COSCO Shipping Piraeus Port Authority SA, told People’s Daily.

According to Han, a decade of modernization and refined management has transformed every major segment of the port’s operations. 

Its cruise business has expanded significantly, attracting nearly 1.8 million international visitors annually and placing the Port of Piraeus among the world’s top 10 cruise home ports and the Mediterranean’s top three. 

Its ferry operations have become industry-leading, with high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry capacity ranking first in Europe and among the strongest worldwide, serving more than 18 million passengers each year.

Meanwhile, container operations have achieved rapid growth, dramatically improving the port’s global standing. Looking ahead, the Port of Piraeus is aiming to become one of the world’s top 20 ports and one of Europe’s top three container hubs. 

Supported by a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, the port has also developed into a major ship repair center and automotive transshipment hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. In 2025, it ranked eighth in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index, further strengthening its influence as a regional shipping center.

Over the past decade, the Port of Piraeus has expanded its business portfolio in all directions, building 6 core business segments: container shipping, cruise services, ferry transportation, automobile roll-on/roll-off operations, logistics and warehousing, and ship repair and shipbuilding. Together, these sectors have created a diversified and integrated maritime industrial ecosystem.

Han noted that the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line, built around the port’s strategic advantages, now connects 9 European countries and more than 1,500 service points, serving a population of 71 million. The service has established a major sea-rail transport corridor stretching from the Mediterranean deep into Central and Eastern Europe. It has enabled Chinese products and opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative to reach European markets more efficiently, while helping high-quality European goods and resources gain better access to the Asia-Pacific region.

“Since COSCO Shipping took over the port, I have witnessed the fastest period of development in the port’s history,” said Savvas Sanozidis, a resident of Piraeus who has served as the secretary of the board of directors of Piraeus Port Authority for nearly 20 years.

He observed that the Chinese company combined strategic vision with practical execution, completing a comprehensive modernization of the port within a relatively short period of time and driving its transformation from a regional harbor into an international maritime hub.

“The expansion and upgrading of the three container terminals, alongside simultaneous development of the cruise terminal, automobile facilities, and shipbuilding and repair zone, have fundamentally reshaped the port,” he said. “It is no exaggeration to describe this as a rebirth for Piraeus, and COSCO Shipping deserves enormous credit.”

The port’s revival has also generated substantial benefits for the local community. Over the past decade, COSCO Shipping Piraeus Port Authority SA has directly created thousands of quality jobs and indirectly supported tens of thousands more positions in logistics, maintenance, trade, and services. As a result, many local residents have enjoyed more stable incomes and improved living standards.

From dockworkers and equipment maintenance technicians to truck drivers and service personnel within the port area, many families have benefited from the resurgence of the Port of Piraeus.

“China-Greece cooperation has changed far more than the appearance of a port. It has reshaped urban development trajectories and improved the lives of the people,” said Yiannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus.

During the past decade, COSCO Shipping has invested more than 10 billion yuan ($1.48 billion) in Greece. These investments have not only revitalized the port itself but also stimulated broader regional economic development. More than 20 workshops and supporting businesses now operate around the port, providing services ranging from electrical systems and marine engineering equipment to structural repairs and hull painting. Many also offer training programs that help local workers acquire ship repair skills.

The rebirth and rise of the Port of Piraeus have challenged simplistic perceptions of international port cooperation and vividly demonstrated the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. In Han’s view, the project is far more than a conventional overseas investment.

“It is a vivid example of civilizational exchange and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Greece,” he said. “Chinese capital, technology, and management expertise have complemented Greece’s local resources and geographical advantages, contributing to economic growth and development. At the same time, the port’s growing role as a maritime hub has strengthened the land-sea connectivity framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and enhanced the efficiency of international logistics corridors linking Asia and Europe.”

By Han Shuo, People’s Daily

This year commemorates two key milestones: the 40th anniversary of China’s systematic, large-scale poverty alleviation initiatives and the 30th anniversary of its poverty alleviation cooperation and pairing assistance between its eastern and western regions. 

Drawing on insights from global scholars and experts, it is evident that China has successfully addressed one of humanity’s most persistent development challenges — extreme poverty. The nation’s pioneering achievements in poverty reduction have earned international recognition, offering practical, evidence-based solutions to advance poverty governance worldwide.

Over recent decades, China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, an unprecedented accomplishment in economic history.  

Hassan Daud Butt, a scholar from Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Policy Institute, highlighted China’s commitment to a people-centered approach and forged a path to poverty reduction that diverges significantly from traditional Western aid frameworks. 

Beyond economics, China’s victory over extreme poverty represents a major advance in global human rights. It substantially improved living conditions across essential domains like food access, housing, transportation, education, healthcare, and employment, while ensuring the fundamental right to development.

Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, observed that China’s anti-poverty theory evolved from one-way assistance to fostering self-sustaining development capacity. 

By integrating poverty relief with efforts to boost people’s self-motivation and practical skills, China has avoided the pitfalls of dependency seen in traditional welfare models.  

Its experience delivers an important global lesson: poverty reduction cannot rely solely on external assistance but requires long-term mechanisms that empower individuals and unlock local vitality.

“China has deeply recognized that poverty stems from a combination of factors, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to education and health care, and underdeveloped market systems,” said Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, professor at the Fluminense Federal University in Brazil and an expert on international affairs. 

He noted that a key factor behind China’s success was elevating poverty reduction to the level of a national strategy and advancing coordinated efforts in industrial development, regional cooperation, and cultural progress.

Butt emphasized “targeted poverty alleviation” as China’s principal innovation: a data-driven method focusing on precise identification of poor households, tailored support, and robust monitoring. This approach optimized resource allocation while improving urban-rural infrastructure, logistics, market access for rural industries, and employment skills for low-income groups.

China achieved the poverty reduction target of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule and has contributed to over 70 percent of the poverty reduction across the world. As a result, it has become an important benchmark in global poverty governance. 

Global experts universally acknowledge that China has made major contributions to global poverty reduction and sustainable development in both theory and practice, generating lasting benefits for developing countries around the world.

On May 27, at the 2026 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum, China, together with 53 countries and nine international organizations, jointly launched the Global Partnership for Poverty Alleviation and Development. The initiative marks an important step forward for the international cause of poverty reduction. 

Going forward, the alliance will serve as an efficient platform for cooperation, facilitating regular exchanges of poverty reduction experience, practical technologies, and talent development programs, while helping China’s experience reach a broader global audience.

China’s Juncao, a hybrid grass originally developed in China for mushroom cultivation, has been promoted internationally for more than three decades. In 2017, it was incorporated into key projects under the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund, and it has since been introduced to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. 

Lin Zhanxi, professor at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and inventor of the Juncao technology, stated that in international Juncao cooperation, China promotes technological localization, simplification and standardization, enabling disadvantaged communities to participate more easily in development initiatives.

Aligned closely with objectives such as poverty reduction and job creation, these projects have improved local livelihoods and won broad recognition across the developing world.

Felix Dapare Dakora, fellow of the African Academy of Sciences and Senior Adviser to the National Nanfan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, noted that China has consistently shared its poverty reduction experience with Africa through multiple channels while deepening practical cooperation. 

China has established more than 20 agricultural technology demonstration centers across Africa, introduced over 300 agricultural technologies, and carried out programs in improved seed dissemination, agricultural machinery application, and technical training. China and African countries have also pioneered poverty reduction demonstration villages that integrate infrastructure development, industrial growth, and public services at the village level, creating models that can be replicated and scaled up elsewhere.

“China has not only charted an effective path out of poverty for itself,” Dakora said, “but has also transformed its experience into an important global public good, contributing to global poverty governance and the shared development of humanity.”

By Li Zhiwei, People’s Daily

How did achieve its victory over extreme poverty? What drives its commitment to common prosperity? And why is China’s development approach described as “people-centered”?

Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation in the United States, recently discussed these questions with People’s Daily, exploring the historical lessons of China’s anti-poverty campaign and the contemporary relevance of its common prosperity goals.

Since the 1980s, Kuhn has actively introduced China’s development achievements to international audiences. He has meticulously studied China’s poverty alleviation efforts, producing the documentary Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty and authoring works such as The Inside Story of China’s 30-Year Reform. These works have helped explain China’s significant progress in reducing poverty to the world, for which he was honored with the China Reform Friendship Medal.

Kuhn characterizes China’s accomplishment of lifting over 800 million people out of poverty during its four-decade reform and opening-up period — particularly the elimination of extreme poverty for nearly 100 million rural residents in just eight years — as truly historic. “When future historians chronicle our era, China’s battle against poverty will likely stand as one of its defining chapters,” he said. 

He believes this success story is perhaps the most potent force for countering misconceptions about China. Understanding it fully, he argues, requires listening to the millions of individual stories from families who escaped poverty.

Having observed poverty relief work at every administrative level, from provinces down to villages, Kuhn studied the responsibilities of local Party leaders and witnessed the coordinated efforts of officials. He attributes the success of China’s “targeted poverty alleviation” strategy to the Communist Party of China (CPC) establishing rigorous, measurable, and transparent working mechanisms. These were enforced through coordinated action by officials across multiple governance levels, ensuring every impoverished household received specific aid and every village had personnel dedicated to implementing relief measures.

Kuhn views the shift from eliminating absolute poverty to advancing common prosperity as a natural progression. Just as eradicating extreme poverty was fundamental to building a “moderately prosperous society in all respects,” achieving more substantial strides towards common prosperity is crucial for realizing China’s goal of “basically realizing socialist modernization” by 2035. “Common prosperity is a defining feature of Chinese modernization and an essential requirement of socialism,” Kuhn explained. “It is a forward-looking goal, grounded in the realities of this new era, and a major development vision aimed at realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.”

To understand contemporary China, Kuhn emphasizes the paramount importance of comprehending the CPC’s position and role. “The first step is recognizing that the CPC is not operating within the conventional Western paradigm,” he noted. He described the CPC as functioning primarily as a governing organization rather than as a typical party competing for power through elections. Although Party members constitute roughly 7% of China’s population, Kuhn observed, their responsibilities are vast and ambitious: improving living standards for all Chinese people, driving reform, ensuring rule of law, encouraging public participation, deepening democracy, and safeguarding rights and freedoms.

One of the CPC’s most significant strengths, Kuhn concluded, is its capacity to ensure long-term strategic continuity, enabling sustained progress toward national development goals across multiple leadership generations.

Under the CPC’s leadership, China has been able to coordinate economic resources, mobilize social forces, and implement major national initiatives. One example is the paired-assistance mechanism that links more developed eastern provinces with less-developed western regions, facilitating the flow of talent, capital, and technology to impoverished areas and fostering broad societal participation in poverty alleviation efforts.

Kuhn emphasized that the CPC’s people-centered development philosophy effectively connects overarching national objectives with citizens’ everyday concerns, weaving this principle throughout domestic governance, economic policymaking, and international engagement. This focus, he believes, constitutes a fundamental driver of China’s sustained stability and development.

The scholar underscored that Chinese modernization follows a fundamentally distinct trajectory from Western models. On one hand, it is grounded in China’s unique national conditions — including its massive population and inherent regional/urban-rural disparities — forging a development path tailored to its circumstances rather than replicating Western experiences shaped by different scales and more balanced development conditions.

On the other hand, China’s modernization advances within a framework of multiparty cooperation and political consulting under CPC leadership — a distinctive institutional advantage absent in Western multiparty competitive systems.

“Looking forward,” Kuhn stated, “Chinese modernization will continue tackling development constraints by leveraging its unique institutional strengths, vast market foundations, and growing innovation capacity. This creates a modernization pathway distinct from Western models while steadily progressing toward national rejuvenation.”

He concluded that through comprehensive reform acceleration and modernization advancement, China will unlock broader development prospects while offering global partners enhanced opportunities for openness, cooperation, and mutual development.

By Wang Zhimin

The U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) released its 2026 Member Survey, revealing compelling insights.

Eighty percent of surveyed American companies regard the Chinese market as either “very important” or “important” to their global competitiveness, a notable increase from 66 percent in 2025. 

Moreover, 95% asserted that their Chinese operations are “integral” to their global market edge.

This aligns with an earlier report issued by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, which found that 75 percent of U.S. firms plan to reinvest in China throughout 2026.

These results underscore a crucial truth: For American businesses, the Chinese market is not a replaceable side business — it is a strategic pillar essential to their global performance. Against this reality, the political narrative of economic “decoupling” remains disconnected from where companies are placing their investments.

Four core strengths explain China’s enduring and irreplaceable appeal for U.S. corporations.

First, massive scale ensures unparalleled market opportunity. Multinational corporations deploy capital globally around comparative advantage. Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory delivers over half its global production capacity and stands as its largest international export center. Meanwhile, Apple draws significant profits from China through both sales and industrial presence. Consumer leaders like Nike and Walmart similarly depend on China for substantial revenue.

With over 1.4 billion people — including more than 400 million middle-class consumers — and steady economic growth, China remains the world’s most promising consumer market and a resilient engine of global development. Exiting China would weaken American companies’ economies of scale and peel away a key source of profitability.

Second, a comprehensive industrial ecosystem enables unparalleled efficiency. China is unique, globally, in possessing all industrial categories designated by the United Nations — spanning 41 major sectors, 207 medium sectors, and 666 subcategories. Its advanced infrastructure and mature supply chains enable U.S. firms to reduce costs, shorten lead times, and maintain robust operational performance.

Despite supply chain pressures, more than 80 percent of U.S. businesses in China turn a profit. The reason is clear: China offers competitive advantages — speed to market, consolidated logistics, and integrated industrial networks — that cannot be replicated elsewhere at scale. Alternative bases or relocation efforts would sacrifice efficiency without securing comparable capacity.

Third, China’s innovative ecosystem anchors market evolution. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index 2025, China ranks 10th worldwide — one of the fastest-rising innovators over the decade. Its openness to new technologies, rapid consumer adoption, and scalability make it an indispensable testing ground for innovation.

This innovation mutuality shapes key industries. For example, where the U.S. leads in AI models, China excels in hardware, energy efficiency, and large-scale applications. U.S. AI advancement hinges on Chinese talent, markets, and template infrastructure. Companies routinely blend expertise from their U.S. laboratories with localization teams in China to develop globally scalable products.

China also accounts for more than 60 percent of the global market share in the “new trio” of exports — electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells. Its abundant renewable energy resources further provide solid support for computing power infrastructure.

Through a model that combines foundational technologies, global ecosystems, and industry expertise, American companies are able to pursue collaborative innovation in China through “local R&D and local application.” In doing so, they not only generate profits but also refine technologies in the Chinese market before exporting successful experiences and products to the rest of the world.

Fourth, a more stable outlook is boosting business confidence. The concept of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability has provided a new framework for bilateral ties, with cooperation as the mainstay, competition within proper limits, manageable differences, and expectable peace.

Newly established dialogue mechanisms, including the China-U.S. boards of trade and investment, have further reassured American businesses.

The U.S. business community has already voted with its investments. For many American companies, “In China, for the world” is not a slogan but a practical choice for maintaining their global competitiveness.

(Wang Zhimin is a researcher at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics.)

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.”