Nigeria Times

By Ye Zi

Hangzhou News Broadcast, operated by east China’sZhejiang province’s Hangzhou Culture, Radio and Television Group, has integrated AI-synthesized virtual anchors into its programming—a pilot initiative reporting zero operational errors during broadcasts, provoking robust public debate on automation’s role in journalism.

A “virtual human” denotes a digitally engineered entity replicating anthropomorphic traits within non-corporeal environments. Accelerated by advancements in 5G networks, artificial intelligence, and immersive simulation technologies, these constructs now exhibit heightened perceptual and analytical capabilities, permeating quotidian societal functions with growing sophistication.

Hangzhou News Broadcast has deployed six such synthetic news presenters, engineered with uncanny human verisimilitude in facial micro-expressions and kinetic fluidity, according to disclosed technical specifications.

Following an intensive data acquisition and algorithmic calibration phase, these synthetic anchors now execute live news delivery with operational reliability, enabling human counterparts to temporarily step down during peak leave periods without disrupting output—a milestone in automated broadcast logistics.

Liu Yuchen, an anchor at Hangzhou News Broadcast, disclosed that her digital simulacrum “Xiaoyu” employs DeepSeek-V3 architecture, endowing it with multimodal capacities spanning natural language processing, teleprompter narration, and automated editorial functions including script vetting and source aggregation.

Media analysts note virtual presenters have transitioned from experimental applications in streaming platforms and digital-first media to institutionalized roles within terrestrial television’s daily programming cadence.

Wu Suoning, a member of the expert advisory committee of the Internet Society of China, observed that AI-driven anthropomorphic systems now constitute a transformative vector within China’s media ecosystems, operationalizing what industry protocols term a “bifurcated human-AI workflow paradigm.”

Under this framework, articulated Wu, automated precision in standardized content generation—spanning meteorological bulletins and rapid incident dispatches—allows journalistic resources to be strategically allocated to interpretive domains: investigative narrative construction and critical analysis.

The analyst projected that evolutionary leaps in large language models’ cognitive architectures, particularly in inferential reasoning and self-optimizing operational parameters, will catalyze synthetic correspondents’ capacity for adaptive interactivity and -specific customization. Such advancements, he contended, are poised to reconfigure content supply chains through hyperdynamic production protocols and precision-targeted dissemination matrices.

Beyond conventional broadcast domains, synthetic media entities are gaining traction within China’s real-time digital commerce ecosystems.

During seasonal demand peaks such as the Spring Festival, brands increasingly deploy anthropomorphic avatars — modeled after commercial ambassadors — to circumvent operational bottlenecks. Industry analyses indicate scarcity and cost inflation among skilled human anchors during high-volume periods, prompting adoption of algorithmic alternatives. These AI-driven proxies reportedly reduce expenditure while sustaining 24/7 operational cadences, mitigating fatigue-related inefficiencies inherent to biological labor.

Integrated neural language frameworks enable real-time semantic parsing, automating customer query resolution while optimizing engagement through predictive interaction protocols. Metrics from recent commercialization trials reveal conversion metrics (CVR) surging by ≥50% during AI-anchored livestreams, validating the “low-input/high-yield” operational paradigm.

Technical specifications from Baidu-affiliated digital anthropomorphism developers outline a streamlined synthesis pipeline: biometric training via 3-40 minute source footage, followed by script automation and kinematic synchronization protocols. Post-configuration, avatars achieve audiovisual congruence in lip articulation, prosody, and gesture—approximating human-presented broadcasts at scale.

Industry diagnosticians note that while synthetic presenters demonstrate superior cost efficiencies and creative scalability, they remain deficient in the nuanced adaptability of organic interlocutors—particularly in managing intricate discursive exchanges. Industry diagnosticians stress that such synthetic systems still require extensive algorithmic refinements. Concurrently, emergent debates surrounding biometric data governance, surveillance capitalism implications, and anthropomorphic ethics frameworks persist as critical impediments to sectoral maturation.

Currently, avatar personas for entertainment, real-time retail narration, and corporate service automation constitute the most monetizable implementations of anthropomorphic AI. Analytical projections from the inaugural China Digital Human Conference indicate the nation’s core virtual human sector will attain 48.06 billion yuan ($6.6 billion) by 2025, with peripheral ecosystem valuations forecast to expand to 640.27 billion yuan—underscoring accelerated enterprise adoption despite extant technical constraints.

By Xu Jun, People’s Daily

As China convenes its annual “two sessions”- the gatherings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s legislative process has once again come under the spotlight.

In China’s legislative system, the NPC and its Standing Committee serve not only as the lawmakers but also as conduits for public sentiment. But how are these voices channeled into the heart of law-making?

The answer is found in a meticulously designedinstitutional framework that ensures public sentiment is woven into every stage of the law-making process.

Proposing legislation

During the second session of the 14th NPC in 2024, deputies submitted 298 motions, with 292 directly addressing legislative issues ranging from the formulation and revision of laws to theirrepeal and interpretation.

When formulating its legislative plan, the NPC Standing Committee carefully reviews deputies’ motions and suggestions alongside expert analysis and public feedback.Since NPC deputies come from all walks of life, this process allows public voices to directly contribute to the legislative process.

Drafting law

Many might be surprised to learn that even high school students’ recommendations can influence Chinese national legislation. A 2020 proposal from teenagersat the High School Affiliated to East China University of Political Science and Law was relayed through a local legislative outreach office. It later appeared in revisions to China’s Minor Protection Law.

Such outreach offices was first launched in 2015. Since then, over 90 percent of laws drafted or amended by the NPC and its Standing Committeehave incorporated feedback from these offices, which collect opinions from businesses, villages, and schools. Officials describe them as “direct hotlines” for democracy.

The process was tested during the drafting of China’sCivil Code, a landmark law enacted in 2020. Over 425,000 people made 1.02 million recommendations online.The final text added the “Personality Rights” section – a win for advocates who emphasized the need for enhanced protection of personal information, privacy, and reputation in the digital age.

Adopting law

Draft legislation generallyundergoes several rounds of scrutiny by the NPC Standing Committee, and in some cases, is also examined during an NPC session.

Even technical provisions can ignite fierce discussions. In 2015, for instance, deputies clashed over a single sentence in draft revisions to China’sLegislation Law, as they discovered that the third reading had removed the clause requiring tax rates to be established by law.

Why did this detail matter?

Some deputies argued that tax rates are an essential element of taxation – without a statutory mandate, the principle of statutory taxation would be compromised. In response, the NPC’s specialized committees meticulously examined each suggested revision and ultimately restored the provision mandating that tax rates be set by law.

The Legislation Law, which governs how laws are made, stipulates that legislation shall uphold and develop whole-process people’s democracy, respect and protect human rights, and safeguard and promote social fairness and justice.

From the initial proposalof a legislative project to the drafting and deliberation of bills, the input of public voices is actively sought and integrated – a clear demonstration of whole-process people’s democracy.

Legislative power is lies at the heart of national governance. Through science-based and effective institutional arrangements, China ensures that the people exercise state power through the system of people’s congresses, firmly placing the country’s future firmly in the hands of its people.

By Du Yifei, People’s Daily

In Shenzhen’s Futian district, a cohort of 70 artificial intelligence systems designated as “digital personnel” has initiated a paradigm shift in administrative operations. Engineered with DeepSeek’s cognitive architectures, these systems achieve document processing precision exceeding 95% while reducing processing times by up to 90%, concurrently optimizing interdepartmental coordination through 80% improvements in task distribution efficacy.

Operational parameters extend across 240+ governance scenarios, encompassing document management, civil services, crisis response protocols, and economic development initiatives. This technological implementation reflects China’s accelerating adoption of generative AI solutions, with multiple municipalities now integrating neural network systems to refine bureaucratic processes and elevate civic service standards through automated governance frameworks.

Beijing’s Economic-Technological Development Area has implemented neural network systems for market supervision, tripling operational throughput in regulatory enforcement. Hangzhou’s healthcare insurance AI interface manages approximately 70% of citizen inquiries through voice recognition protocols, with its textual counterpart resolving 90% of written consultations through semantic analysis frameworks. Nanjing’s emergency management platform demonstrates 95% regulatory adherence in producing incident documentation within 300-second operational windows.

Many provincial-level jurisdictions including Shenzhen and Guangzhou now operationalize DeepSeek’s cognitive architectures within administrative ecosystems, establishing automated content generation pipelines to optimize administrativeresponsiveness. This nationwide integration of neural networks signifies China’s systematic transition toward data-driven governance models, with intelligent systems progressively replacing manual workflows across regulatory enforcement, public health coordination, and crisis mitigation operations.

China’s intelligent governance frameworks now extend beyond administrativeoptimization to reengineer metropolitan management paradigms. Guiyang, a topographically constrained municipality historically burdened by chronic road network saturation, has implemented a cognitive traffic orchestration platform showing operational efficacy.

The system synthesizes municipal surveillance infrastructure with commercial navigation telemetry, utilizing predictive analytics to model vehicular movement patterns. During peak transit intervals, this architecture enables automated signal timing recalibrations across 31 arterial junctions. Preliminary metrics indicate measurable reductions in congestion metrics, with one urban dweller noting “tangible improvements in roadway fluidity.”

Professor Wu Yiping of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics’ School of Public Economics and Administration hailed the initiative as a pivotal advancement in administrative innovation. “Embedding generative AI systems such as DeepSeek into civic operations could revolutionize service delivery through optimized content production and responsive digital interfaces,” he asserted, emphasizing the technology’s potential to recalibrate urban management frameworks for contemporary demands.

While acknowledging these operational benefits, analysts caution that workforce implications require rigorous scrutiny. Industry observers concur that although AI-enhanced governance may streamline repetitive functions, persistent limitations surround dataset reliability, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and implementation scalability. Crucially, they stress that human competencies in strategic innovation, empathetic engagement, and nuanced policy adjudication remain irreplicable assets in public administration.

“AI systems function as administrative instruments operating within defined human oversight protocols rather than autonomous policymaking entities,” clarified Gao Zeng, deputy director of Futian District’s Government Services and Data Administration.

In Shanghai’s Putuo District, official Lu Yao noted a persistent preference for interpersonal engagement despite technological advances. “While algorithmically generated responses demonstrate technical proficiency, constituents consistently value the irreplaceable interpersonal rapport cultivated through direct human exchange,” Lu observed, underscoring the enduring significance of empathetic dialogue in civic affairs.

Lu maintains that AI’s principal contribution to community governance resides in its capacity to alleviate bureaucratic redundancies. By automating administrative workflows, public servants gain critical bandwidth to prioritize participatory neighborhood initiatives and resolve complex societal challenges, he argued.

As algorithmic solutions increasingly reshape institutional frameworks, policymakers confront the imperative of harmonizing operational automation with inherently human competencies in ethical discernment. This delicate symbiotic equilibrium, analysts suggest, could potentially redefine public sector effectiveness by merging computational precision with psychologically attuned service paradigms.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

China has unveiled a 2025 action plan to stabilize foreign investment, outlining 20 policy initiatives across four strategic priorities: phased expansion of autonomous market opening, enhanced investment facilitation, functional upgrades to open-economy platforms, and service system optimization.

International observers have largely interpreted the move as reinforcing China’s commitment to institutional opening-up, with analysts noting its alignment with global investors’ calls for predictable regulatory frameworks.

Opening up is a fundamental national policy of China and a defining feature of Chinese modernization. It profoundly enriches the path and unlocks new frontiers of Chinese modernization.

This trajectory builds on four decades of calibrated openness – from the experimental zones of the 1980s to today’s network of 21 pilot free trade zones and cross-continental BRI corridors. Each phase has systematically addressed structural bottlenecks while creating new value chains,  aligning with the trend of economic globalization and shaping new models of international cooperation.

Since the start of the new era, China has pursued more proactive opening up policies, achieving historic milestones and transformations. The country has advanced a broader agenda of opening up across more areas and in greater depth.

According to theGlobal Soft Power Index 2025 released by British consultancy Brand Finance, China has ranked first globally for four consecutive years in “easy to do business with” and “future growth potential.”

Through continuous opening up, China’s economy has become deeply integrated with the global economy, serving as a major engine for global growth. Over the past five years, China has contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth, being the largest driver of global development.

Research by the International Monetary Fund indicated that China’s economic growth has a spillover effect — when China’s growth rate rises by 1 percentage point, growth in other countries increases by around 0.3 percentage points.

China’s strategic pursuit of high-level economic openness is transforming its colossal domestic market into a catalyst for global growth. Recent corporate expansions underscore this shift: Tesla has commenced operations at its inaugural overseas energy storage Gigafactory in Shanghai; Siemens Healthineers is developing a cutting-edge medical equipment research and production hub in Shenzhen; while Yum China aims to nearly double its mainland outlets to 20,000 within two years.

The nation’s expansive, multi-dimensional consumer base continues to fortify foreign enterprises’ long-term commitments. Notably, China’s December 2024 implementation of zero-tariff access for 98% of imports from eligible least-developed nations triggered an 18.1% monthly surge in procurement from these economies. This policy framework not only enhances trade reciprocity but systematically integrates emerging markets into value chains.

China now serves as the principal commercial partner for more than 150 nations and regions globally, cementing its position as a pivotal node in global commerce. This trajectory of openness positions China’s growth as an accelerant for worldwide economic advancement.

The nation’s commitment to elevated openness transcends conventional economic policies, encompassing the sharing of developmental frameworks, institutional innovations, and transnational public goods. Amid a global climate of escalating unilateralism and protectionist measures, China persists as a stabilizing force—methodically deepening international collaboration through its domestic progress while championing structural reforms to fortify an inclusive global economic architecture.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), conceived as a transnational public good, originated from China’s drive for enhanced openness in its contemporary era. It has catalyzed deeper global economic interdependence and reciprocal growth, garnering international acclaim as a “revitalized paradigm of economic globalization.”

By pursuing elevated openness, China not only disseminates the dividends of its progress but also assumes a proactive role in recalibrating global governance frameworks—advancing the realization of a community with a shared future for mankind through institutionalized cooperation. This approach underscores an alignment of national development with multilateral imperatives, reinforcing China’s stewardship in shaping equitable international systems.

Spanning infrastructure interconnectivity, trade liberalizationand facilitation, financial harmonization, regulatory alignment, and cultural exchange, China is systematically propagating the ethos of open development and reciprocal collaboration across nations. This multidimensional engagement not only fosters collective prosperity among emerging economies but also advocates for an equitable, rules-based multipolar world order—advancing an inclusive model of economic globalization that prioritizes broad-based dividends.

Guided by a novel paradigm of universal benefit, China positions openness as a conduit and mutual advancement as the connective tissue of international relations. By synchronizing its institutional reforms with global developmental imperatives, the nation is poised to propel sustained momentum into worldwide growth trajectories, architecting a future where cooperative frameworks underpin shared prosperity. This calibrated strategy reaffirms China’s role as both participant and innovator in redefining 21st-century economic governance.

By Wang Yinxin, People’s Daily

Tesla’s first overseas Megafactory, a sprawling 200,000-square-meter facility in Shanghai’s Lin-gang Special Area, commenced operations on Feb. 11, 2025, marking a pivotal expansion of the U.S. automaker’s global energy-storage ambitions.

The site, equivalent in size to 30 standard football pitches, represents Tesla’s inaugural standalone Megapack production hub beyond American borders. With an initial annual output target of 10,000 units post-ramp-up, the factory underscores the firm’s strategic bet on China’s renewable energy sector.

Groundbreaking for the project occurred on May23, 2024, with mass production achieved within nine months of land acquisition and eight months of construction–a pace echoing the “Tesla speed” previously demonstrated by the Shanghai Gigafactory, which was erected in under a year in 2019.

Lu Yu, headof high-tech industry and innovation department at the Lin-gang Special Area Administration, hailed the venture as a “vote of confidence” in Shanghai’s governance. “This collaboration builds on our proven ability to synchronize corporate and governmental timelines,” Lu noted, emphasizing a streamlined approval process that inverted traditional workflows.

Authorities attributed the accelerated timeline to pre-emptive planning, including granular task mapping for corporate milestones and state support mechanisms. “We transitioned from enterprises awaiting approvals to governments anticipating corporate needs,” Lu added.

The development solidifies Shanghai’s reputation as a crucible for industrial efficiency, even as geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains. Tesla’s doubling down on Chinese infrastructure signals deepening ties between multinational innovators and the region’s policy-driven ecosystem.

The Lin-gang Special Area’s deployment of a tailored “project service package” proved instrumental in accelerating Tesla’s Megafactory development, authorities revealed. Initiatives included constructing a dedicated river-crossing bridge to streamline logistics and erecting residential complexes housing over 2,000 workers, ensuring uninterrupted progress at the flagship site.

Lu emphasized the symbiotic relationship between energy storage and Shanghai’s burgeoning new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. “The Megafactory leverages Lin-gang’s mature NEV supply chain ecosystem, enabling rapid localization of production while enhancing the broader industry’s capacity and stability,” he noted.

With Tesla aggressively scaling its energy storage ambitions, Lin-gang’s established industrial framework positions it as a perfect partner. “This synergy underscores how public-private alignment can catalyze transformative projects,” Lu added, framing the collaboration as a blueprint for high-tech manufacturing efficiency.

As China’s paramount legislative and advisory assemblies convene this week for their annual sessions, the global spotlight shifts to Beijing. The “Two Sessions” — the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) — commence on March 5th and March 4th respectively, providing a crucial insight into the nation’s policy directions.

These gatherings serve as pivotal indicators of China’s political and economic course. This year’s “two sessions” bring together nearly 3,000 NPC deputies and over 2,000 CPPCC members to deliberate on state affairs, exemplifying the country’s commitment to whole-process people’s democracy.

A pertinent question arises: Do the recommendations and proposals put forward by NPCdeputies and CPPCCmembers actually influence policy? The data speaks volumes.

In 2024, China’s government departments addressed 8,783 suggestions from NPC deputies, accounting for 95.1 percent of all submissions, and 4,813 proposals from members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, representing 96.1 percent of total submissions.

More than 5,000 recommendations were formally adopted across ministries, resulting in the enactment of over 2,000 targeted policy measures. These efforts have accelerated progress in key areas: fostering high-caliber economic growth, advancing the national strategy to revitalize China through science and education, driving comprehensive rural modernization, and safeguarding and elevating public welfare.

Each motion, suggestion, and proposal underscores meticulous research and resolute commitment. Legislators and political advisors not only benefit from structured avenues to articulate insights but also observe concrete policy impacts stemming from their contributions.

As new energy vehicles (NEVs) gain traction among China’s younger demographics, post-purchase servicing has risen to prominence as a critical challenge. NPC deputy Cao Jingfang dedicated six months to scrutinizing the issue, conducting site visits to maintenance facilities and engaging industry specialists before formally proposing heightened policy backing for NEV aftercare infrastructure.

In a decisive response, China’s Ministry of Transport pledged to establish a robust regulatory framework encompassing 32 standards spanning technical certifications, service benchmarks, and inspection protocols. Concurrently, the ministry is spearheading efforts to formally classify “NEV maintenance technician” as a state-recognized profession, thereby institutionalizing workforce development for this burgeoning sector.

State mechanisms, as evidenced here, continue to serve as pivotal conduits for translating deliberative input into actionable governance.

China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs processed and formally responded to 313 legislative recommendations from NPC deputies alongside 174 advisory proposals from CPPCC members in 2024, with priorities centered on eldercare systems, social welfare modernization, and administrative governance reforms.

The ministry implemented a three-phase protocol—preliminary stakeholder consultation, real-time progress briefings, and outcome accountability reviews—to systematize policymaking. To deepen alignment, officials institutionalized direct participation by inviting NPC deputies and CPPCC members into ministerial forums, joint research task forces, and draft policy deliberations, ensuring expert input directly informed regulatory agendas.

This structured engagement yielded 24 codified regulatory actions over the past fiscal year, with more than 220 recommendations integrated into operational or strategic frameworks.

For NPC deputies and CPPCC members, participation in the two sessions is both an honor and a responsibility, with their performance subject to evaluation.

Many regions have introduced evaluation mechanisms for NPC deputies based on their attendance, constituent engagement, and the quality of their motions and suggestions. This year, the NPC will review the draft amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels, further defining their responsibilities and requiring regularly performancereports.

During the NPC, deputies will deliberate the report on the work of the government, and the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People’s Court, and Supreme People’s Procuratorate. They will also review the government’s annual budgets and national development plans.

These reports, which outline legislative, administrative, and judicial developments, as well as how government funds are allocated, undergo rigorous scrutiny before final approval, ensuring the smooth operation of state institutions.

Besides, NPC deputies and CPPCC members also engage in inspections, research projects, and law enforcement oversight, submit motions, suggestions, and proposals, engage in deliberations, make inquiries, take part in elections and voting, and attend biweekly consultative sessions. They fulfill their duties in accordance with the law and serve the people wholeheartedly. As the “two sessions” unfold, NPC deputies and CPPCC members carry with them the voices and aspirations of all sectors of society. Their discussions will help shape national development and public policy, ensuring that the concerns of citizens are heard at the highest levels of government.In this dynamic exchange between policymakers and the public, China’s governance