Kuwaiti media delegation explores China's tech future

Arab Times

a day ago

KUWAIT CITY, July 17: A Kuwaiti media delegation went on an incredible journey to China, the land of the future and technology, at the invitation of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kuwait. The delegation visited three major cities - Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou, where they got a firsthand look at China's rapid technological advancements, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The first stop was the vibrant city of Shenzhen, characterized by its iconic tall buildings and skyscrapers. The delegation was warmly received by Sun Huaizhong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office in Shenzhen, who gave a presentation on the city's 'Smart City' project. Huaizhong emphasized that high-speed internet and artificial intelligence are no longer luxuries but fundamental parts of everyday life. He described Shenzhen as the 'Silicon Valley' of hardware and AI, highlighting the presence of thousands of startups and a dynamic investment environment that offers huge opportunities for Kuwaiti companies.
Huaizhong expressed his admiration for Kuwait, indicating that he had read extensively about the country. 'If we can build a bridge of understanding, it would be a great honor,' he said, emphasizing that Shenzhen welcomes all who wish to cooperate, including businessmen, tourists, and students. The delegation's second stop was Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province and one of China's historic 'Seven Ancient Capitals'. The Italian explorer Marco Polo once described it as the most beautiful and luxurious city in the world. Hangzhou's iconic West Lake area includes over 60 cultural heritage sites and countless tourist attractions, renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty. A cruise on the lake turned out to be one of the most captivating experiences. Finally, the delegation visited Guangzhou, China's largest industrial and commercial port, which handles a quarter of the country's foreign trade. Guangzhou is a major hub for industrial and economic activity, known for its diverse sectors including sugar, textiles, iron and steel, paper, cement, agricultural fertilizers, automobiles, chemicals, and manufacturing machinery.
Hangzhou Robot City
The delegation also visited Hangzhou Shenhao Technology Co. Ltd., founded in 2002. The company specializes in equipment inspection and fault diagnosis using advanced technologies such as sensors, robotics, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis. Serving the industrial hygiene sector, Shenhao provides comprehensive solutions to ensure the safe operation and intelligent maintenance of industrial equipment.
A popular market in the heart of Guangzhou
The tour also included a visit to the Yongqingfang tourist area in western Guangzhou, located in the Liwan District of Guangdong Province. Located on an area of approximately 760,000 square meters, it is a fourth-class national tourist attraction. Yongqingfang combines tourism, culture, entertainment, and social life, showcasing ancient architecture and traditional arts alongside modern fashion and international entertainment.
Shenzhen Drone Taxi Company
The delegation visited EHang (Nasdaq: EH), a global pioneer in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology that provides safe, autonomous, environmentally friendly, and accessible air transportation for all. The company offers Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems and solutions in various sectors, including passenger and cargo air transport, smart city management, and aerial media services. Notably, EHang's EH216-S has received the world's first Type Certificate (TC), Production Certificate (PC), and Standard Airworthiness Certificate (AC) for an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manned drone from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
SRRSH Hospital
As part of the itinerary, the delegation also visited SRRSH Hospital, which was established during China's reform and opening-up period. For its first five years, the hospital was managed in cooperation with Loma Linda University Health in the United States, serving as a pilot project for integrating Western and Chinese approaches to hospital administration, laying the foundation for the hospital's high-standard international management. The hospital was ranked among the 'Tier 1' group of national public hospitals in record time. It continues to lead advancements in several areas, including medical system reform, healthcare services, modern hospital management, minimally invasive medicine, international cooperation, and smart healthcare. It has received an A++ rating and has been ranked among the top one percent of hospitals in China. For five consecutive years, it has placed third nationwide in the Third Public Hospital Performance Assessment, and in 2022, it was ranked ninth. SRRSH Hospital holds several notable distinctions: it was the first hospital in China to receive JCI accreditation, the first to achieve Magnet status, and the first in the country to become a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network in China.
'Black Myth'... The Game of Millions
The delegation visited a museum dedicated to the action game 'Black Myth: Wukong', one of the most important technological games developed by a Chinese startup in the gaming industry. The game is inspired by the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West' and was officially released on August 20, 2024, for Windows and PlayStation 5. The project first gained global attention on August 20, 2020, when the developer released a 13-minute alpha gameplay video. Within 24 hours, the video amassed nearly two million views on YouTube and 10 million views on Bilibili. On February 8, 2021, the development team released a new 3-minute trailer, showcasing the game's enemies, mythical creatures, and diverse environments.
Later, on August 19, 2021, the team announced that the game had been ported to Unreal Engine 5. The classic novel 'Journey to the West' is considered one of the four most beloved literary works in China. It recounts the trials and tribulations of the renowned monk Tang Sanzang and his three disciples Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, as they journey to Tianzhu (present-day India) in search of the original Buddhist scriptures from the Buddha's western homeland. After enduring numerous challenges, including battles with demons, monsters, and other dangers across 81 stages, the monk and his disciples ultimately succeed in retrieving the sacred texts. As part of the visit, the delegation also toured UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD, a leading company in the development of humanoid and intelligent service robots. Founded in March 2012, UBTECH has become a pioneer in the robotics industry.
On December 29, 2023, the company was officially listed on the Main Market of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code '9880.HK'. Driven by its mission to bring intelligent robots into every household and enhance everyday life through smart technology, the company has independently developed a complete lineup of humanoid robots. Using its robust technological foundation, it is engaged in the research, development, design, intelligent manufacturing, and commercialization of intelligent service robots.
UBTECH has created an integrated robotic solution that combines hardware, software, services, and content. Its products serve a wide range of industries, including AI education, smart logistics, healthcare, elderly care, and commercial services. It is one of the few companies globally to have developed a full suite of humanoid robot technologies. The company's technological ecosystem includes a comprehensive range of industry-leading capabilities, such as robot motion planning and control, advanced AI technologies like computer vision and voice interaction, as well as integrated robotics and AI systems. These include SLAM and autonomous navigation, visual servo actuation, and human-robot interaction.
UBTECH also developed its proprietary robotics application framework, the Robot Operating System Application Framework (ROSA). The company is also among the few in the world to achieve mass production of self-developed servo motors across a wide torque range, from small to large. It has developed China's first full-scale bipedal humanoid robot, scheduled for commercial launch in June 2024. To date, the company holds more than 2,450 patents related to robotics and artificial intelligence.
Through the continuous development of core humanoid robot technologies, the company is now at the forefront of global humanoid robot deployment. Its efforts are focused on three primary application scenarios - industrial manufacturing, commercial services, and home companionship. To date, UBTECH is the only company in the world to announce multiple collaborations with major automotive manufacturers. Its Walker S series industrial humanoid robots have been integrated into the production lines of many automotive companies, where they perform a variety of tasks. UBTECH firmly believes that the future lies in the harmonious coexistence of humans and robots. Guided by a strong commitment to innovation and technological advancement, the company aspires to bring UBTECH robots into every home and industry, shaping a world whe