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Korea Herald
14 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
ASEAN media workshop explores AI transformation
The artificial-intelligence revolution is transforming industries worldwide, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges for media transformation. To address these critical issues, the ASEAN Media Capacity Building Workshop was successfully held in Hong Kong from July 14 through Saturday, gathering over 20 senior media professionals from within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to explore effective strategies for navigating the AI era and its profound implications for media development. Participants examined AI's dual impact on media during the workshop. While AI significantly enhances reporting efficiency, an overreliance on AI may lead to serious factual errors in journalism, tutors from China Daily highlighted at the workshop courses. Reporters need to leverage the strengths of AI, such as its ability to detect spelling and grammatical errors, rather than allowing it to take control of everything during reporting, the tutors said. Doan Minh Anh, a reporter at VietnamPlus of the Vietnam News Agency, said at the workshop that journalists must always maintain confidence in themselves, as they are the true storytellers. Journalists should make good use of AI, rather than let AI control reporters, she added. Another key insight is that understanding audience preferences is also crucial for media transformation. Zhong Zhen, managing director from Xiaohongshu's Greater Bay Area E-commerce Operating Center, stressed the importance of knowing more about the needs of users and creating content with a human touch. "Content needs to resonate emotionally with users. This is the secret to Xiaohongshu's popularity," Zhong said. During the workshop, reporters and journalists from various ASEAN countries had discussions about the future of traditional media, especially in the context of key opinion leaders. Justin Clarence Lao Tembresa, CEO of Lannang Studios, a media company in the Philippines, emphasized the need for traditional media to enhance the quality of its content to remain relevant in today's digital age. The key is combining traditional media's strengths with new technologies while maintaining content warmth, he added. Participants in the workshop also engaged in an in-depth discussion about photography equipment, mobile shooting, and script design under the guidance of their instructors. Tutors from China Daily provided a detailed demonstration of various shooting devices, including pocket cameras, drones, and action cameras, while explaining composition and framing techniques. The journalists from ASEAN countries showed great curiosity about mobile photography accessories, continuing their enthusiastic discussions about the equipment even after the session ended. Reporters and journalists visited multiple sites in Hong Kong, including Cyberport, and the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. These visits provided the media professionals with comprehensive insights into Hong Kong's technological advancements, legislative framework, and media landscape. Participants also visited notable sites in Shenzhen, including the Shenzhen Nanshan Energy Ecological Park, which showcases China's commitment to green economic development. Soo Wern Jun, a senior journalist from the Malay Mail newspaper of Kuala Lumpur, said the park is a model of energy conservation and environmental responsibility. She said she hopes to bring back the lessons learned at the conference back to Malaysia.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
With 'smoke, fire and steam,' China's night markets erupt into life
ZHENGDING, China (China Daily/ANN) — As dusk falls over the ancient county of Zhengding in Hebei province, a remarkable transformation begins — a vast parking lot near the train station empties, making way for hundreds of brightly lit food carts. Within hours, the Zhengding Small Commodities Night Market erupts into life — a symphony of sizzling pans, shouting vendors, and the chatter of thousands of eager visitors. This nightly scene pulses with yanhuoqi — literally "smoke, fire and steam" — providing a lively, lantern-lit atmosphere fundamental to Chinese night markets. Remarkably, Zhengding's connection to this vibrant nightlife stretches back more than 10 centuries. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), as China gradually abolished curfews, Zhengding (then Zhending) emerged as a regional administrative center and one of the pioneers of nighttime commerce. "Zhengding is a place with a night economy that emerged from over 1,000 years ago," said Liang Yong, a researcher at the Hebei Provincial Institute of Culture and History. According to Liang, the county's strategic importance and strong commercial base fostered early forms of night markets. Later, during the Mongol Empire and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it became the birthplace of zaju, Chinese variety dramas, further boosting nighttime gatherings. Historical records, like those by the 14th-century scholar Naxin, describing lantern-lit crowds near Yanghe Tower, filled with theaters and wealthy traders, paint a picture of enduring nocturnal energy. Naxin, also known by his ethnic name Geluolu Naixian, wrote Heshuo Fanggu Ji — a record of his visits to ancient sites around the Yellow River basin and various northern regions. Compiled during his 14th-century travels, it documented the vibrant fusion of entertainment, dining, and international commerce around the tower. In 2012, Li Zhangchao, one of the founders of the greater Zhengding Small Commodities Market, put forward an initiative encouraging mall tenants inside the market complex to set up evening stalls in a vast adjacent street and parking lot. "Back then, Zhengding was dark by 9 pm," said Li, now 72, who recalled that back then he couldn't find anything to eat or buy at night. However, his initiative soon got off the ground. "The location was strategic — an urban-rural fringe bordering villages like Sanjiao and Yong'an," said Liu Guangdi, chairman of the Zhengding Small Commodities City Group, which manages the market and the nearby wholesale-retail complex. As rural residents returned home from city jobs in the evenings, dense pedestrian flows created strong demand for snacks and small goods, she added. According to Liu, the market grew naturally. Streetlights were installed, hours were extended, and fees were initially waived to attract vendors. During urban upgrades of the county, authorities also channeled street vendors into the designated market zone. Tasting success Today, the market is a popular landmark, covering 10,000 square meters and with over 600 stalls. It attracts 10,000 to 30,000 visitors nightly, and generated an estimated 400 million yuan ($55.8 million) in annual revenue last year. It has created 2,500 jobs, particularly for those without higher education, said Liu. At its heart, are entrepreneurs like 39-year-old Lu Yang whose journey is an example of the market's ability to change people's lives. Arriving in 2019, after his parents' street vending business failed in nearby Shijiazhuang, Lu tried a number of food ventures before spotting a gap in the night market — hearty, savory staples for northern palates. He then traveled to Wuhan, Hubei province, to master how to make reganmian, or hot dry noodles. "People in northern China crave saltiness, rather than sweetness," Lu said. After two years of trial and error, he abandoned sugar and bean sprouts, and chose nine toppings favored by customers in Zhengding, including pickled beans, peanuts, chili oil, and scallions. "It was a painful process," Lu said. "Every failed attempt meant wasted ingredients." But his persistence paid off. A breakthrough came courtesy of his smartphone. He started filming his steaming kitchen, along with snaking lines and satisfied customers, and posted clips on social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. His number of followers soared to 100,000, landing his stall on local "must-eat" lists. His sales of reganmian exploded to 700 to 800 bowls midweek and over 1,000 on weekends. Lu now employs seven workers and rents four adjacent stalls just to keep up with demand. "During the peak last April, I survived on three hours' sleep for 20 days," he recalled, wiping sweat from his brow as it neared midnight, his shirt dusted with flour. He proudly said that while nearly 20 stalls sold hot dry noodles during last year's peak, now only a few "winners" like him are left. A social media post went viral in April 2024, attracting over 100,000 daily visitors at one point. The number of visitors reached 3 million last year, according to Liu, from the market management group. "It's impressively large and lively, with affordable food from across China, though I'd like to see more distinctive Zhengding snacks among the offerings," said Zhang Long, a Beijing resident who traveled to the county after seeing stories about it online. He visited the market with several friends. "When we went in, we were all very hungry. When we came out, we felt like we were about to burst. There was so much delicious food. We couldn't even eat it all," Zhang said. Wang Li, 42, a local middle school Chinese teacher and mother of two, said her family's weekly ritual is to cycle 3 kilometers to the night market to eat. "It has become a must-go recreational place for us locals," she said. "Seeing our county's humble market trend nationally feels incredible. It proves just how expansive and delicious our offerings are," she said proudly. Ensuring quality The numerous visitors to the night market brought not only locals' pride, and fame and stronger sales for the market, but also significant challenges, Liu said. At the time, visitors complained about traffic gridlock, excess garbage, and spotty mobile signals hindering payments. "Although our night market is quite large, its capacity is limited. Therefore, when there was a sudden surge in visitors last year, it led to some negative experiences, such as having to queue up at every food stall," Liu said, adding they immediately sought to solve the issues with strong support from the local government. Among many measures, network providers upgraded base stations and deployed 5G micro-stations. The market added 50 cleaners and a 6-metric-ton mobile garbage compactor. Portable toilets were installed to address long lines for the bathroom. Cao Ming, from the Zhengding County Urban Management Bureau, said their multipronged approach included strict food hygiene protocols, enhanced sanitation, dedicated patrols for order and safety, and a "specialized cylinder" system for gas safety. "We practice precision management with friendly service, so visitors can have a good experience here in Zhengding," Cao said. Zhao Yanling, 53, sells handmade dumplings. He said quality is non-negotiable when it comes to customers' satisfaction. "We use only fresh pork slaughtered the same day, not frozen, and fresh vegetables — no shortcuts. Customers trust us," he said. With 11 different fillings, his commitment to quality has paid off. "Quality comes first, and slowly but surely, the number of repeat customers is increasing," Zhao said. His stall's success allowed him to buy two family apartments in Zhengding. "I came with nothing," Zhao said, adding he is grateful for the opportunity the market provided, especially with the help and guidance from founder Li Zhangchao on fair stall rentals and running a food business. Increasing numbers of visitors have further propelled Zhengding's overall tourism, which features night tours of ancient city walls and light shows near temples. The county's tourism has swelled in popularity in recent years after upgrades to its ancient sites and tourism spots. Hotels near the market have reported 40 percent occupancy spikes, and taxi drivers' nightly earnings have doubled, Liu said. "The night market and cultural tourism fuel each other," said Zhang Xiaofang, deputy director of Zhengding's culture and tourism bureau. The county has leveraged its heritage, integrating the market with scenic night views, light shows, and night tours at scenic spots like Rongguo Mansion, Zhang said. Free parking across the county and access to drinking water at key attractions have also boosted visitor satisfaction. 'Sleepless city' awakes In another ancient capital, Kaifeng in Henan province, the legacy of a 1,000-year-old night market is being kept alive through an emphasis on immersive cultural heritage. Kaifeng, also known as Dongjing, was the eastern capital during the Northern Song period. A vivid description from the Song Dynasty chronicle Dongjing Meng Hua Lu — Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor — captures the nocturnal activities of the former imperial capital: "Night markets lasted until the third watch or midnight, and reopened as early as the fifth watch at around 3 to 5 am". Today, Kaifeng has transformed this heritage into Dasongbuyecheng or the Great Song Dynasty Sleepless City, where a dazzling tapestry of history, culture and modern vitality intertwine after dark. "Kaifeng's night markets are a living continuation of a thousand years of Song Dynasty charm," said Guo Juan, director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division at Kaifeng's Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau. "From the night bustle of the Northern Song era to today's night markets, they fundamentally reflect the Chinese yearning for vibrant nighttime cultural life," she said. Kaifeng now boasts two national-level and eight provincial-level nighttime cultural tourism consumption clusters, as well as 12 scenic spots operating night tours, forming a rich "sleepless city" portfolio, Guo said. "People taste delicious food, and feel the depth of culture at the same time," she said. Hui Dong, an associate professor of the School of History and Culture at Henan University, said Kaifeng's advantage lies in its deep-rooted night market cultural tradition. "The night markets here have transcended the realm of pure dining, forming a multidimensional night economy ecosystem where diverse elements converge and integrate," Hui said. For Bai Jianchao, a 4th-generation inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage known as Bainian Baiji peanut cake craft, this revival is exciting. "From our single-flavor handmade cakes in 1912 to today's cultural-creative product lines, it's been a century of integrating heritage and innovation," he said. Young people dressed in hanfu, a traditional Chinese garment, at night markets, and parents teaching their children traditional crafts are evidence of a cultural resurgence, he said. "This is cultural confidence made tangible," he said. Bai believes places like Zhengding, Kaifeng, and Zibo in Shandong province, which saw a barbecue craze in 2023, are linked by a common cultural thread. "From Zibo's BBQ craze to Kaifeng's continuing buzz and Zhengding's authentic vibe, it's about fulfilling a basic need for yanhuoqi for ordinary people," Bai said, adding it is more attractive than high-end consumption to most people. He believes the ancient tradition of night markets is experiencing a vibrant renaissance. "Each model, though distinct, powerfully demonstrates the enduring economic engine and cultural magnetism of yanhuoqi, or lantern-lit vibrancy," said Bai, adding the markets provide livelihoods for thousands, offer affordable enjoyment for millions, and serve as potent symbols of local identity and cultural confidence.
The Star
5 days ago
- Science
- The Star
60-year-old farmer in Anhui province, China builds submarine by hand
Zhang Shengwu and his submarine, "Big Black Fish". - Photo: CCTV News BEIJING: Zhang Shengwu, a 60-year-old farmer from Maanshan, Anhui province, successfully built a submarine by himself, which has drawn widespread attention. The 5-metric-ton home-built submarine, named "Big Black Fish", can dive to 8 meters, CCTV News reported. Zhang is a villager from Zhangdu village in Maanshan, Anhui province. He has been fascinated by invention since childhood. Over the years, Zhang has worked in carpentry, welding, and the shipping industry. Over 20 years ago, he returned to his hometown and built a wharf to sell sand, where he spent his days watching cargo ships come and go. Zhang Shengwu's first-generation submarine. - Photo: CCTV News In 2014, Zhang saw a person build a submarine through a TV programme, this inspired him to build one by himself. Despite his family's concerns over the cost and risk, Zhang insisted on building his own submarine. Drawing on his practical experience with boats and handcrafting, Zhang spent about 5,000 yuan (US$700) on materials. It took him six months to build his first submarine, which is 6 meters long, 1.2 meters high and weighs 2 tons. Although his first submarine suffered from sealing issues during submersion, the invention earned him a utility model patent. This submarine earned Zhang a national utility model patent. The only fly in the ointment is that it leaks when submerged. In 2016, he developed a surface vessel that generated minimal waves while in motion. This invention also received a utility model patent. However, this grassroots inventor had a bigger dream, his most ambitious project is the current new generation submarine. He invested over 40,000 yuan ($5,570) into its construction. This new submarine has a length of 7 meters, a height of 1.8 meters, and weighs 5 tons. It can dive to 8 meters, holds a capacity for two people and travels at a minimum speed of 4 nautical miles per hour. To improve its stability, Zhang poured about 2 tons of concrete into the bottom of the submarine and added two ballast tanks at both ends. "There are two ballast tanks, water fills the tanks to dive, and drains to the surface. The concrete provides weight to maintain stability," he explained. He also reinforced all weld points and used silicone and adhesive for watertight sealing. Watching his submarines grow larger and his techniques improve, he dreams of building an even larger, fully functional one. "Only when you try and succeed, you do realize what you're truly capable of," Zhang said. - China Daily/ANN
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Australia's strategic naivety must end and Albanese's six-day festival of flattery in China shows why
Whatever the failings of China's Communist government, its ability to roll out red carpets to foreign dignitaries is second to none. Mr Albanese got the full treatment this week, beginning with the motorcade from the airport, light poles adorned with the Australian flag, a private tour of the Great Wall, a lavish banquet, serenades of Australian rock anthems, glowing coverage in the state press, and countless other choreographed gestures to make him feel honoured. When China turns on the charm for foreign leaders, the recipients would be wise to maintain a healthy degree of scepticism. What appears to be gracious hospitality is in fact a carefully orchestrated performance, an exercise in image control for both domestic and global audiences. This is not just diplomacy - it is a ritualised assertion of symbolic superiority rooted in China's imperial past. To resist the choreography is to risk awkwardness, tension, or even diplomatic reprisal. What seems like an over-elaborate show of politeness is, in truth, a system of soft coercion. It is a stage upon which foreign leaders are cast in subordinate roles, encouraged to reciprocate not only with courtesy but with political restraint. It is both a performance and a test: imperious in tone, strategic in purpose and deeply psychological in effect. Let us hope the Prime Minister received a full and frank briefing from officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before embarking on this six-day charm offensive. Let us hope, too, that he kept a cool head and did not mince his words behind closed doors. Maintaining a functional relationship with Beijing is a legitimate objective. But it must not come at the expense of Australia's vital national interests: the strength of the US alliance, support for Taiwan's democratic sovereignty and the security of our critical infrastructure. The timing of the trip was less than ideal. Accepting six days of Chinese hospitality ahead of a meeting with the leader of our closest ally sent mixed signals. Beijing's red-carpet rollout was an opportunistic move, aimed at exploiting the perceived awkwardness between the ANZUS partners. A more seasoned leader might have postponed the visit for a more auspicious moment. China's propaganda machine wasted no time. State media warned against "third-party interference" that could derail Australia's improving relationship with China - a thinly veiled swipe at the US. In an editorial reproduced in other Chinese media, the 'China Daily' gushed that 'today's China-Australia relationship is like a plane flying in the 'stratosphere' after passing through the storm zone'. Faced with this media wall of self-congratulation, the Prime Minister's task was to hold the line. He needed to explain, firmly and politely, why the relationship is not as cosy as Beijing wishes to portray. The unannounced dispatch of Chinese gunboats to conduct live-fire exercises off the Australian coast with Australia's exclusive economic zone is not the behaviour of a friendly nation. We know the Prime Minister raised the issue and that President Xi Jinping told him that China would engage in exercises just as Australia does. In other words, get used to it. Equally, it was incumbent upon the PM to reassert Australia's sovereign right to revisit the 2014 lease of the Port of Darwin to Landbridge Group. What appeared at the time to be a straightforward commercial transaction now looks like a concession of breathtaking naivety. Landbridge is no ordinary private investor. Its chairman is a member of a high-level Communist Party advisory body. The company has an internal CCP committee, a "people's armed militia" linked to the PLA, and a structure that offers little insulation from state influence. That such an entity holds the keys to a critical infrastructure node less than 25 kilometres from a US military facility would today be dismissed out of hand. To its credit, the Morrison government recognised the shifting strategic environment. It called for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, barred Huawei from Australia's 5G network, and enacted laws enabling Canberra to review and cancel foreign investments that threaten national interests. The Darwin lease may have escaped scrutiny, but future projects should not. What Australia needs now is a policy of clarity. The Darwin lease cannot be allowed to stand while China continues to act with strategic belligerence, attempting to secure dominance in the Pacific. Australia must be prepared to act decisively: by developing redundant military infrastructure or revoking the lease outright in the national interest. China respects strength and exploits ambiguity. To vacillate now is to invite pressure later. Our policy must evolve with the times. Strategic naivety can no longer be tolerated. Which brings us to Taiwan. The Prime Minister's insistence that sensitive topics be kept behind closed doors is problematic in the face of potential misrepresentation. Chinese state media claimed Albanese assured President Xi that Australia does not support Taiwanese independence. If accurate, this would be a grievous distortion of Australian policy. Australia's ambiguity on Taiwan stems from the December 1972 communiqué signed by Gough Whitlam, which recognised the PRC as the sole legal government of China, acknowledged Beijing's claim over Taiwan, and closed our embassy in Taipei. It contained no reciprocal commitments and no statement of Australia's independent view. By contrast, when President Nixon established ties with China earlier that year, the US acknowledged Beijing's position but also insisted on a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question. The difference between acknowledgement and acquiescence mattered then and matters even more today. That foundational ambiguity has persisted for five decades, feeding a dangerous cycle of strategic vagueness. In the 1970s, this may have seemed inconsequential: China was a marginal trading partner, Taiwan an autocratic backwater. But the world has changed. Taiwan is now a thriving democracy, a technological powerhouse, and a key player in global supply chains. China, meanwhile, has grown more authoritarian and assertive. A forcible annexation of Taiwan would shatter regional stability, weaken the US alliance system, and threaten Australia's own security. The shift towards more cautious engagement with Beijing that began under Morrison must now be completed. That requires speaking plainly. Taiwan's future must not be decided by force. Australia, alongside its allies, must be prepared to resist any effort to alter the status quo through coercion. Prime Minister Albanese's visit offered an opportunity to deliver that message. Let us hope that he took it, rather than allowing it to be subsumed by a six-day festival of flattery. Nick Cater is a senior fellow at the Menzies Research Centre and a regular contributor to Sky News Australia
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chi Forest sips success overseas with diverse beverages
Visitors at a Chi Forest beverage store in New York on April 10. Beyond products, Chi Forest has increasingly invested in cultural branding. — China Daily IN June, convenience stores in Indonesia welcomed a new product line – Chi Forest's ice teas, with flavours such as white peach jasmine and grapefruit green tea. The beverage maker's rapid rise in South-East Asia underscores its broader globalisation strategy, which combines health-driven product positioning, cultural adaptability and precision execution in complex regulatory environments. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
