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South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's corruption busters eye key tech sectors as Beijing gears up to challenge US
An anti-corruption investigation sweeping across the Chinese province of Guizhou has toppled a string of officials linked to its once-prized big data sector over the last few months. The mountainous southwestern province was one of the country's most underdeveloped regions and banked heavily on the sector to transform its fortunes – becoming a showcase for China's digital ambitions in the process after attracting domestic and foreign tech giants such as Huawei Technologies, Tencent and Apple. But as well as casting a shadow over Guizhou's big data dream, the deepening scandal has exposed a deeper tension between state-led innovation and accountability. China's years-long anti-corruption crackdown has intensified its focus on industries – such as big data, semiconductors and tech giants – all of which it sees as strategically important in its drive towards self-reliance amid its deepening rivalry with the United States. Earlier this month Li Gang, director of the province's National Defence Science and Technology Industry Office and the former chief engineer at the Guizhou Big Data Development Administration, was placed under investigation by the local anti-corruption watchdog on suspicion of 'serious violations of discipline and laws' – a standard euphemism for corruption. Two former heads of the Big Data Development Administration – Jing Yaping, who retired in October, and her predecessor Ma Ningyu, who later became mayor of the provincial capital Guiyang, were already facing similar investigations.
Borneo Post
11-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Futuristic robots in scenic areas refresh China's tourist experience
This undated handout photo shows a tourist climbing the Taishan Mountain with the assistance of an exoskeleton robot developed by Kenqing Technology, a Shenzhen-based robotics company, in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province during the Spring Festival in 2025. (Kenqing Technology/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING (May 12): As China's tourism industry further embraces technology, robot-assisted hikes and AI-guided sightseeing tours are among a number of futuristic travel experiences that have become increasingly common across the country. Over the recent May Day holiday — one of China's busiest travel periods each year — many tourist attractions were empowered by high-tech to offer visitors unique and immersive experiences, ranging from virtual reality equipment providing digitized tours to drones creating spectacular patterns in the sky or monitoring crowd density in scenic spots. In the Shichuan Ancient Pear Orchard — a pear blossom tourist attraction in the inland county of Gaolan, northwest China's Gansu Province — robots developed by Unitree Robotics were seen leading tourists around the orchard's iconic sights, displaying dynamic obstacle avoidance and terrain climbing skills. The technology company based in east China's Hangzhou rose to fame after its humanoid robots staged an arresting performance on China's 2025 'Spring Festival Gala' television show. Also in Gaolan, an agriculture museum saw robots interact with traditional farming tools, presenting a dialogue between ancient and modern times for visitors, and showcasing how China's ancient farming civilization has evolved to embrace modern technology. 'It was a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect to make friends with high-tech in the ancient pear orchard,' said a visitor surnamed Zhang, who experienced the cutting-edge technology firsthand by shaking hands with a robot. 'Its movements were very flexible, and it seemed to be listening intently to me. It was just like communicating with a real person,' he said. In line with the 'AI plus consumption' initiative outlined in the latest plan released by China's State Council to stimulate consumption, AI applications are now evident in many online and in-person scenarios. The tourism industry, which is generally associated with scenic views and cultural heritage, is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of robotics and advanced technologies. One notable example of this integration is the recent use of exoskeleton robots, which have become a hit among mountain climbers in particular. The devices were met with overwhelming demand during the holiday at Mount Tai, a famed scenic area in east China's Shandong Province. 'Our exoskeleton robots were all rented every day, with some tourists waiting for up to two hours,' said Li Gang, a manager of the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, which organizes trips to Mount Tai. The wearable, lightweight smart devices can reduce human exertion by sensing user intentions and dynamically outputting mechanical force to core body parts. They have an instant pull force capacity of 200 kilograms and an eight-hour endurance. As Mount Tai's picturesque scenery and cultural heritage unfold during the steepest sections of its hiking trails, the device can effectively ease the pains of intense exercise, cutting what should be a three-hour hike by half. Priced at 80 yuan (about 11 U.S. dollars) for three hours, the robots were fully booked in advance during the holiday, Li added. The devices can also monitor the physical condition of their wearers, and have emergency call and scenic-area guidance functions, among others. Similar robots have also debuted at other mountainous tourist attractions across multiple provincial-level regions, including Hebei, Ningxia, Anhui, Shaanxi and Jiangxi. During the five-day holiday, Chinese travelers made an estimated 314 million domestic trips. Among that number were millions who were delighted by novel AI-empowered experiences or human-machine interactions. In the economic powerhouse of Guangdong Province alone, 42 activities organized by tech firms or telecom operators and showcasing novel AI application scenarios were attended more than 2.1 million times. And the tourism industry's integration of robotics is not limited to entertainment and assistance; robots are also being utilized for safety and security purposes. In the Beijing (Tongzhou) Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, a four-wheeled robot named Xiaoyu is currently being tested for patrol and security inspections. Xiaoyu is able to provide timely safety alerts for tourists, and can detect smoke points and locate their source fire via its built-in thermal imaging and temperature-sensitive camera. It can also assess the health of trees and detect signs of pests or diseases. When tourists encounter an abnormal situation, they can press the SOS button on the robot's shoulder to contact the site's staff. From enhancing visitor experiences to improving safety and efficiency, these innovations are reshaping the way Chinese people travel and experience the world. The May Day holiday provided a glimpse into an exciting future in which the boundaries between humans and technology are blurred, and in which new possibilities for tourism are unlocked. A recent China News Service article quoted Guo Qiang, a sales manager at a humanoid robotics company in central China's Hunan Province, as saying that the company has received more than 100 orders from tourist attractions, which aim to task the robots to perform Tai Chi, serve tea or provide hiking assistance. 'Robots are walking into China's scenic areas on a large scale and in an explosive manner, serving as a catalyst for an upgrade of cultural tourism services,' Guo said. – Xinhua China high tech robotics tourism
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists debut revolutionary battery built to deliver energy for lifetimes: 'Advancements in this technology could reshape the future'
Experts at Northwest Normal University in China have an uncommon invention: a small nuclear battery that can power pacemakers and other tiny tech, according to multiple outlets. The fascinating invention could theoretically provide electricity for hundreds to thousands of years, the reports touted about the benchmark. The news made headlines after a slew of tests, including 35,000 LED pulses, successful integration into Bluetooth chips for signal transmission, and even energizing a clock, per Interesting Engineering and pv magazine. The applications could be vast. IE added that deep-sea and outer-space uses are possible for nuclear batteries, powering sensors and small gadgets. On Earth, imagine smartphones that never die or tech that helps to keep us alive. "The researchers are confident that the battery could permanently power implantable devices like pacemakers or brain-computer interfaces," IE's Ameya Paleja wrote. Nuclear batteries leverage the power of radioactive materials, which at first seems like a dangerous idea when considered for use inside the body. But a news release about similar research in South Korea said that not all nuclear elements harm living organisms. Radiation can be blocked if it's encased, too. Power is generated from the decay energy of radioactive isotopes, according to the expert descriptions. The Korean scientists built a prototype pack with carbon-14, the same atomic material used in China, where experts encased it in a silicon carbon semiconductor material. This negates leaks and ensures safety. The Chinese battery is called Candle Dragon One, per pv. "Nuclear battery technology represents the next generation of micro-power solutions, driving transformation in advanced manufacturing, national security, and aerospace applications," Beita Pharmatech chairman Li Gang said in the pv story. Bieta collaborated with Normal on the project. Candle Dragon One's energy conversion efficiency clocked in at 8%, with a storage capacity 10 times greater than lithium-ion packs per pound. The units can work at an astounding temperature range of minus-148 degrees to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, pv added. It's not the only nuclear battery being developed in China, as experts at Soochow University are working on one involving the element americium. U.S. researchers are also making packs with radioactive parts. Experts elsewhere even have ideas for a theoretical black hole battery. The small storage units could play a big role as we shift to cleaner energy, which is key to reducing harmful planet-warming dirty fuel emissions. Air pollution is not only an overheating force, but it's also being linked to brain damage and dementia. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Larger nuclear projects are already providing about 9% of global electricity, according to the World Nuclear Association. It's made without air pollution but produces radioactive waste that needs to be safely stored. There's also the risk of rare yet catastrophic meltdowns. For the smaller batteries, experts have more milestones to achieve before commercial use can happen, as the power output is low, per pv. "While currently limited to niche applications, advancements in this technology could reshape the future of energy storage," the magazine's Vincent Shaw wrote. In the meantime, you can reshape energy use in your home immediately by switching out traditional bulbs for better LEDs. The move could save you up to $600 in energy costs annually while preventing five times the pollution of the old bulbs. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Free Malaysia Today
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
China arrests former anti-graft official for suspected bribes
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called corruption the biggest threat to the Communist Party. (EPA Images pic) BEIJING : China has arrested a former senior anti-graft official on suspicion of taking bribes as the country continues its crackdown on corruption, state news agency Xinhua said today. Li Gang previously headed the discipline inspection and supervision team of the Chinese Communist Party's organisation department, which functions as the human resources arm that assigns roles to party members. China has been moving against high-profile individuals for corruption, with probes last year into a deputy central bank governor, a top-ranking military official and a former chairman of the country's biggest oil and gas company. President Xi Jinping has called corruption the biggest threat to the Communist Party, saying in a speech addressing China's top anti-graft watchdog in January that it is still pervading in China and on the rise.
Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
China arrests former senior anti-graft official for suspected bribes
BEIJING - China has arrested a former senior anti-graft official on suspicion of taking bribes as the country continues its crackdown on corruption, state news agency Xinhua said on Tuesday. Li Gang previously headed the discipline inspection and supervision team of the Chinese Communist Party's organization department, which functions as the human resources arm that assigns roles to party members. China has been moving against high-profile individuals for corruption, with probes last year into a deputy central bank governor, a top-ranking military official and a former chairman of the country's biggest oil and gas company. President Xi Jinping has called corruption the biggest threat to the Communist Party, saying in a speech addressing China's top anti-graft watchdog in January that it is still pervading in China and on the rise. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
