Nigeria Times

By He Yin, People’s Daily

On Feb. 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a symposium on private enterprises and delivered an important speech. He stressed that on the new journey of the new era, the private economy enjoys broad development prospects and immense potential, and it is the perfect time for private companies and entrepreneurs to fully demonstrate their prowess.

The international community closely followed the symposium, interpreting it as a strong signal of China’s firm commitment to promoting the healthy and high-quality development of the private sector, further boosting the confidence of global investors in China’s economic outlook.

Against the backdrop of an international landscape fraught with instability and uncertainty, international markets are filled with concerns. The world is looking to China, expecting it to continue playing its role as a major engine of world economic growth and providing much-needed stability to the international community.

China’s performance has lived up to the world’s expectations. From record-breaking box office revenue during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday to the global buzz surrounding Chinese AI models and humanoid robots, the international community has not only observed the strong momentum of China’s private sector but also the bright prospects of the Chinese economy.

It was stressed at the symposium that the basic principles and policies regarding the development of the private sector cannot and will not be changed, highlighting the “stability” of China’s economic policies.

The Chinese government has placed great emphasis on the development of private enterprises and the private economy. China’sprivate sector boasts a considerable scale and carries heavy weight, laying a solid foundation for advancing the high-quality development of the private sector. By the end of September 2024, private enterprises accounted for a steady 92.3 percent of total enterprises registered in China.

China has been steadily introducing measures such as formulating a private sector promotion law and setting up dedicated institutions to support the private sector’s development, ensuring that private enterprises are empowered to thrive on an even broader stage.

The private enterprises participating in this symposium spanned a wide range of industries, from strategic emerging sectors to traditional manufacturing and agriculture. These sectors represent new quality productive forces, highlighting the “innovation”driving China’s economic growth.

Companies like BYD, which has contributed to China’s new energy vehicle sector development through its R&D and innovation, and New Hope Group, a long-standing player in agriculture and animal husbandry that continues to revitalize the traditional industry through innovation, exemplify the ingenuity of Chinese private enterprises – an ingenuity that has captured the world’s attention.

As the Chinese economy shifts to a stage of high-quality development, private enterprises will play an even greater role in technological innovation, green development, and the digital economy.

As The Australian Financial Reviewreported, China has no shortage of eager venture capitalists and smart young entrepreneurs, and the sense of optimism, excitement and energy that characterized earlier periods of China’s economic reforms is still widespread.

Chinese private enterprises have flourished along withChina’s grand journey of reform and opening up, nurturing a spirit of open cooperation in the country’s open and inclusive environment.

These businesses are actively expanding their global presence, forging international partnerships in fields ranging from AI and cross-border e-commerce to high-end manufacturing and clean energy. They have not only provided consumers around the world with a broader range of options, but also strengthened their international competitiveness in a globalized market, expanded their growth potential, and climbed higher in the global industrial and value chains.

International analysts described the new generation of Chinese private entrepreneurs as “born global entrepreneurs,”highlighting their ability to leverage the vast Chinese domestic market to quickly achieve economies of scale before shifting focus to global expansion and securing a foothold in international markets.

The dynamism of China’s private sector is a testament to the resilience and potential of the Chinese economy. On the new journey of the new era, China’s productive forces will make new strides, people’sliving standards will improvesteadily, and reform and openingup will be further deepenedin an all-around way. These advantages will create abundant new opportunities and greater headroom for the growth of the private sector, and China’s high-quality development will also provide the world with greater confidence in the future.

By Yang Junfeng

At China Central Television Station’s 2025 Spring Festival Gala, 16 humanoid robots named “Fuxi”from Unitree Roboticsperformed Yangko folk dance on the stage, dressed in northeastern Chinese style floral cotton-padded jackets and twirling handkerchiefs. They soon went viral on social media.

This innovative performance, titled YangBOT, seamlessly blended traditional folk culture with cutting-edge technology, offering a vivid snapshot of China’s rapid advancements in the robotics industry.

The performance was a dazzling display of the technological prowess of Chinese robotics company Unitree. Since its establishment in 2016, Unitree has distinguished itself in the robotics industry by adopting an innovative “motor-driven” approach and emphasizing “low cost and high performance.” In less than a decade, the company has made remarkable progress towards its goal of introducing robots as dependable household assistants.

The secret behind the mesmerizing performance of “Fuxi,” or H1, at the Spring Festival Gala lies in their AI-driven full-body motion control technology. Equipped with 360-degree panoramic depth sensing, the robots can accurately perceive their surroundings. Through advanced AI algorithms, they can also “understand” music and accordingly adjust their movements in real time based on the rhythm.

These breakthroughs are the result of years of dedicated research in AI and motion control. In terms of core technology, Unitree has abandoned traditional hydraulic systems in favor of self-developed high-performance direct-drive motors.

By implementing a specifically designed algorithm, the company has achieved precise force control while reducing costs by over 80 percent.

In dynamic balancing and AI algorithms, the H1 humanoid robot utilizes joint motors in combination with reinforcement learning algorithms and multi-agent collaborative planning, significantly minimizing movement errors.

Moreover, the company has made remarkable progress in domestic production of key components. Over 90 percent of critical parts, including motors, reducers, controllers, encoders, and LiDAR sensors, are domestically manufactured.

Tang Shuyuan, deputy director of the digital business research center at Sanda University in Shanghai, said the robots featured in YangBOT changed the stereotype of humanoid robots being overly mechanical.

According to him, behind their lifelike movements were advancements in motion control, multi-robot coordination, and vision perception. These breakthroughs mark that Chinese robotics firms are at the forefront of advancements in the development of humanoid robots, Tang said.

Unitree’s product development follows a clear trajectory, evolving from quadruped robots to humanoid models.

In the initial phase, the company pioneered quadruped robots for civilian applications.

In 2017, Unitree introduced its first quadruped robot, Laikago, featuring a modular design for rapid iteration. By 2023, the company launched the industrial-grade B2 robot, capable of carrying up to 120 kilograms and operating for four to six hours on a single charge.

Today, Unitree’s quadruped robots are widely used in education, inspection, and rescue missions, with cumulative sales exceeding 10,000 units. The company holds 60 percent global market share in this segment.

In the second phase, it redefined the standards for massively produced humanoid robots.

In August 2023, Unitree unveiled its full-sized humanoid robot, H1, which can sprint at a top speed of 3.3 meters per second, perform backflips, and maintain dynamic balance using reinforcement learning algorithms. The robot has already been deployed in the automotive factories of Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO for material handling.

In May 2024, Unitree introduced the G1 humanoid robot featuring three-finger force control dexterous hands, which is sold at a price of just 99,000 yuan (about $13,544). This model has made humanoid robotics more accessible across various industries.

In the third phase, Unitree developed an open-source ecosystem to lower industry barriers

In 2024, Unitree launched an open-source reinforcement learning library, attracting over 10,000 developers worldwide. By providing a full reinforcement learning toolkit – from training and simulation to real-world implementation – Unitree has significantly reduced development costs. Additionally, the company also open-sourced data collection tools and training datasets to facilitate humanoid robot data acquisition.

Through continuous technological breakthroughs, ecosystem development, and application-driven innovation, Unitree has not only achieved remarkable growth but also played a pivotal role in elevating China’s robotics industry.

Currently, Unitree is driving industry-wide collaborative innovation throughdeep integration with upstream and downstream partners. This approach strengthens China’s robotics supply chain and enhance its global competitiveness.

Unitree’s development exemplifies three significant trends in China’s robotics industry: moving from a focus on “cost advantage” to prioritizing “technological leadership,” transitioning from the use of robotics for single applications to integrating them across entire systems, and evolving from simply replacing tools to actively creating value through robotics technology.

From research labs to production lines, from industrial automation to consumer applications, robotics is driving the emergence of new business forms. Driven by innovation, backed by a robust supply chain, and guided by real-world applications, Chinese robotics companies like Unitree are writing a new chapter in the global wave of intelligent manufacturing .

By You Yi, People’s Daily

“What do you think giant pandas eat?”

At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (hereafter referred to as “the giant panda base”) in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province, an engaging science educational session led by the base’s science education team was underway. Visitors gathered around, eager to participate.

“Definitely bamboo!”

“They must also eat fruitsfor vitamins.”

“But bamboo is so tough. Can giant pandas even digest it?”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Seeing their enthusiasm, Xiang Bo, a member of the science education team, decided it was time to reveal the answer. He shared the details of giant pandas’ eating habits, explaining everything from their appetite to the variety of foods they eat.

Founded in 2000, the science education team is dedicated to raising public awareness about biodiversity conservation, with a particular focus on giant pandas.

Over the past decade, the team has organized more than 3,000 educational activities, published 22 popular science books, and produced 22 science-related films across 61 episodes, reaching over one billion people.

In 2020, the team launched live, interactive educational sessions at the giant panda base. “We post monthly schedules, usually with 15 sessions, on our official WeChat account,” Xiang explained.

Unlike traditional lectures, these interactive sessions allow visitors to learn about endangered species conservation while exploring the giant panda base.

In a workshop, children eagerly participated in a hands-on activity. They mixed cornmeal, soybeans, oats, and nutrients into a bowl, kneaded the dough, shaped it with molds, and soon, panda-friendly steamed buns were ready. This wasn’t just a cooking session – it was an educational program where young “panda nutritionists” got a taste of what it is like to prepare food for pandas.

“Panda conservation education should start early, and experiential learning is a great way to spark children’s curiosity,” said Tang Yafei, a team member.

Since 2016, the team has developed nine themed programs, like the “panda nutritionist” activity. Each month, the giant panda base organizes different educational activities to foster a deeper understanding of biodiversity conservation values in the public.

At the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum, visitors are often surprised to meet “Xiao Chuan,” a lifelike bionic panda robot that can blink, respond to questions, and even show emotions. Equipped with eye-tracking technology, the AI-powered robotcan interact with visitors, seamlessly incorporating panda-related knowledge into fun, interactive conversations.

A common question that team members receive is about the various sounds made by giant pandas. To answer this, the museum offers interactive sound experience, where visitors can listen to over ten different vocalizations that giant pandas use to express emotions. Each sound is explained, helping visitors decode the panda “language.”The curiosity-driven design often leads to long lines as visitors eagerly try to decipher the meanings behind each sound.

Since its opening in March 2021, the museum has become the world’s first panda-themed interactive museum. Through interactive experiences, recreated habitats, and hands-on activities, it offers visitors a deeper understanding of giant panda conservation and environmental protection.

Do giant pandas hibernate? How do they communicate? These questions – and more – are answered in The Giant Panda You Don’t Know, a beautifully illustrated book created by the science education team. With its engaging language and charming artwork, the book presents findings from scientific research, educational activities and conservationideas related to giant pandas, quickly becoming popular since its release.

Beyond books, the team has built a variety of science educational platforms. They have hosted online science programs and produced educational videos and films. They have also developed 28 panda-themed cultural and creative products, ranging from stickers and postcards to eco-friendly tableware and storage bags. These products are given out during science educational activities to enhance visitors’ experiences and promote sustainability.

Starting with just two members, the team has grown to a team of 31, with an average age of 28. Today, it conducts over 300 events annually, reaching schools and communities to spread awareness about wildlife protection.

“Our goal is for every visitor to not only seegiant pandas but also learn about them – and hopefully feel inspired to contribute to conservation efforts. We’re committed to finding new and creative ways to share stories of giant pandas with the world,” said Xiang.

By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily

At the recently held 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), multipolarity became the focus of discussion.

Is today’s world truly moving toward a multipolar order? Will multipolarity lead to greater disorder and governance failures in the international system? How can the world ensure a healthy and stable transition to multipolarity?

The answer to these three critical questions concerns the stability of the international order and world peace and development.

            I.

A multipolar world is both a historical inevitability and a reality. The Munich Security Report 2025, themed “Multipolarization,” states that today’s world is characterized by “multipolarization.” This assessment aligns with the prevailing consensus in the international community.

In international relations, “pole” refers to key influential political and economic forces in the global system. At its core, multipolarity is a global power and governance system featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit.

Since the Cold War ended in the early 1990s, the world has rapidly transitioned toward multipolarity. All countries and regions have increasingly sought a more independent and autonomous position in international affairs.

Today, multipolarity is a direct reflection of the changing global power dynamics. According to the International Monetary Fund, emerging markets and developing economies contributed 58.9 percent to the global economy in 2023. The Munich Security Report 2025 highlights that BRICS nations account for about 40 percent of global trade and 40 percent of crude oil production and exports.

This is not just about economic development – it is a basis for structural change in global order.

The MSC, traditionally dominated by Europe and the United States, saw 30 percent of its speakers this year representing the Global South, a testament to the world’s multipolar trajectory. Global South countries are asserting greater independence in global affairs. They have actively promoted greater democracy in international relations through platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, injecting vital momentum into the world multipolarization process.

The report notes that multipolarization is not only evident in the diffusion of material power but also in the fact that the world has become more polarized ideologically. The once-dominant “end of history” narrative has been thoroughly debunked. Developing nations have grown more self-assured in exploring the path to development independently. Together, the Global South is advocating for equal exchanges, inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations.

While multipolarity is the direction of historical development, its progress will not be overnight. Skepticism and resistance persist, with some still clinging to outdated notions of unipolar or bipolar structures at the conference. Still and all, from a long-term historical perspective, multipolarization is bound to gain steady strength through tortuous development.

II.

In today’s international landscape fraught with instability, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, posing risks of a return to the law of the jungle. Some argue that multipolarization inherently leads to fragmentation, chaos, and conflict.

However, blaming global instability on multipolarity is a classic misdiagnosis of cause and effect. Multipolarity is not the source of today’s global challenges. On the contrary, it is the resistance to multipolarity – the reluctance of certain countries to abandon unilateralist tendencies – that has fueled disorder.

Policies such as “decoupling and breaking chains” and “small yard, high fence” disrupt global economic cooperation. Unilateral withdrawals from multilateral agreements and coercive policies undermine international cooperation. These actions stem from an attachment to unipolar hegemony and zero-sum thinking, and a reluctance to embrace the evolving multipolar order.

The claim that multipolarity leads to chaos reflects an anxiety about power redistribution. Some nations that once dominated the global order are struggling to adjust to the rapid development of multipolarization. They romanticize the past, painting a picture of an idealized global order under hegemonic stability, or insisting on restoring so-called “liberal order” dominance. These arguments ignore the systemic inequalities and historical trauma faced by the Global South.

The report provides valuable insights: for people in the countries of the Global South, “the past was not as good as we (in the West) tend to think, and the future is not as bad as we fear.” When surveyed on the future of a multipolar world, BRICS respondents expressed significantly greater optimism than those from the G7 countries.

A multipolar world better reflects the international community’s aspirations for justice, fairness, and win-win cooperation. It aligns more closely with the realistic need for peace and development, and is more conducive to the reform of the global governance system.

Increasing representation and voice of developing countries in global governance does not signify the “decline of the West.” Rather, it fosters a more balanced and cooperative international system and helps maintain the vitality of multilateralism in a multipolar world. Just as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested, multipolarity promises to be “a way to fix multilateralism.”

III.

To prevent disorder and conflict during the transitional period in the international order, the key lies in working for an equal and orderly multipolar world. The international community should jointly advocate equal treatment, respect the international rule of law, practice true multilateralism, and pursue openness and mutual benefit. It should be a factor of certainty in the multipolar system, and strive to be steadfast constructive forces in a changing world.

To build an equal and orderly multipolar world, rules must be followed. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter provide fundamental guidance for handling international relations, and an important cornerstone of a multipolar world.

Josep Borrell, former High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, stated that “when the number of participants in a game increases, the natural response should be to strengthen the rules governing the game.”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier cautioned at the MSC that a lack of rules must not become the model for a reorganization of the world.

These insights underscore a common view that multipolarization must not descend into a power struggle where “might makes right.” Great powers must lead by example, uphold credibility and law, and reject double standards. Only when power diffusion is accompanied by shared responsibility can a civilized order replace power struggles.

To build an equal and orderly multipolar world, views on cooperation must be updated with the times. One prominent concern about multipolarity is that it may lead to an inadequate supply of global public goods. To prevent this, nations must strike a balance between national and collective interests, and embrace a correct view of cooperation.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva noted it is impossible to “de-globalize.” In other words, as all countries share a common future, none can thrive in isolation. The only path forward is to pursue cooperation, mutual benefit, and a positive-sum relationship.

By practicing true multilateralism, promoting extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and advancing a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, all parties can strengthen their ability to tackle challenges and pursue development with solid steps. The international community should seize this historic moment to shape an equal and orderly

By Kang Pu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Start!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Sheng Yulei, Ye Chuanzeng, People’s Daily

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is a path of unyielding perseverance.

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

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

It is a path of boundless potential.

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

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

It is a path of unconventional modernization.

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

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

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