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Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts

Monday, August 4, 2025

Rise of the machines in China


   

   

 When Sun Huihai first began working at a factory in the southern manufacturing belt of Guangdong some 13 years ago, his colleagues were all humans.

Now, they are joined by more than 200 robots which can work around the clock, seven days a week, to help produce air-­conditioners for home appliances giant Midea.

Rows of bright orange robot arms whir at all hours of the day, fishing freshly pressed plastic parts out of hot metal moulds and onto a long conveyor belt.

Driverless robots with blinking lights store these parts in a multi-­storey warehouse, and later take them to be assembled into units that are sold in China and around the world. 

The number of robots put to work on the factory floor increases every year, said Sun, 37, who heads the plant’s engineering department.

“Every day, we think about how to upgrade and make manufacturing here more intelligent,” he said.

Scenes like this have become more common across China, as the “factory of the world” turns to robotics to sustain and turbocharge its manufacturing juggernaut.

Over the past decade, the number of industrial robots on China’s factory floors has increased more than six times to over 1.7 million, as companies grappled with ri­­sing wages and a shortage of workers willing to staff production lines.

China now has the world’s third-highest density of robots in its manufacturing industry, trailing South Korea and Singapore in first and second place respectively, according to the International Federation of Robotics’ figures for 2023, the latest available.

Their deployment is poised to increase further as China conti­nues its transition from low-­value, labour-intensive production to advanced manufacturing – a national priority.

Policymakers in China, wary of the hollowing out of industries which can occur when countries get richer, have long pushed for greater automation to keep factories competitive.

Factories in China pumped out nearly 370,000 of industrial robots in the first half of 2025, up 35.6% from the previous year, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

But as robot adoption picks up pace, one question that arises is: What will happen to the more than 100 million workers whom China’s manufacturing sector employs?

Academics Nicole Wu and Sun Zhongwei, who interviewed and surveyed factory workers in southern China just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, found that these individuals were not too concerned about robots just yet.

“Contrary to the more pessimistic assessments of automation, most manufacturing workers in Guangdong – who are buffered by steady increases in demand and a chronic labour shortage – appear to be unfazed by technological change at present,” they wrote in a paper published this year.

Back at the Midea factory, Wang Liangcai, 26, an engineer, believes that his job is safe from automation for now.

“Equipment still needs to be maintained, it can’t do so itself,” he said.

“But if you think about the long run ... we also don’t know how things will be.” — The Straits Times/ANN

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

China, Australia strengthen green energy, tourism cooperation during Albanese’s official visit

 

China Australia photo: VCG

Australian mining and metals multinational BHP Group on Monday announced cooperation with Chinese leading battery manufacturers Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) and BYD to accelerate its electrification of mining operations, as China and Australia eye strengthened cooperation during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's ongoing visit to China.

Melbourne-based BHP said it has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with CATL and FinDreams Battery Co, a fully owned subsidiary of BYD Group, to collaborate on battery development for mining equipment and locomotives including rapid charging infrastructure, as well as energy storage and battery recycling, according to two separate press releases on its website.

The moves come as Albanese is on an official visit to China. According to the Australian Financial Review, top executives from BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting are among scores of business delegates travelling with Albanese.

Speaking before a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers in Shanghai on Monday, Albanese framed green steel as a way to grow Australia and China's decades-long trade relationship, Reuters reported.
"Achieving the goal of the Paris Agreement would require the decarbonization of steel value chains, presenting an opportunity for Australia and China to progress our long-term economic interests," he was quoted as saying.

"Rio Tinto is working closely with our Chinese customers to support the development of low-carbon steelmaking technologies, leveraging Australia's high-quality iron ore and China's manufacturing expertise to drive real progress on emissions reduction," Kellie Parker, Rio Tinto Australia chief executive, told the Global Times on Monday. 

"This visit is a valuable opportunity to deepen collaboration between suppliers and steelmakers. We welcome the opportunity to participate in these discussions alongside the Prime Minister," Parker said.

China has been taking concrete steps toward its commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Over the years, the country has made remarkable progress in clean energy development, emerging as a global leader driving both domestic decarbonization and international sustainable development.

China and Australia have sound cooperation in traditional energy fields such as natural gas and coal, and green energy is an emerging field that has enormous room for cooperation, Ning Tuanhui, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday.

"Australia has abundant deposits of minerals including lithium, cobalt and rare earths, while China has technological advantages and rapid development in the new-energy industry. Given their complementarity, strengthened green energy cooperation is beneficial to both sides," Ning said, noting that China is a critical partner for Australia to boost energy transition and address climate challenges.

In addition to energy, Albanese also reportedly highlighted tourism and sporting ties with China during his visit - his second official visit to China but the first since his re-election in May. On Sunday in Shanghai, Albanese visited the headquarters of Chinese online travel platform Trip.com and witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tourism Australia and Trip.com, according to information the platform sent to the Global Times on Monday.

Video footage posted by ABC News also showed that on Sunday, Albanese took part in a morning workout at the iconic Shanghai Bund, accompanied by Shanghai Port FC's Australian coach Kevin Muscat, team captain Wang Shenchao and others. He was presented with a special commemorative jersey.

Amid increasingly stabilizing and improving ties between China and Australia over the past three years under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Albanese's visit to China marks a pivotal step in further advancing bilateral economic and trade relations, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday.

China has been Australia's largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports for 16 consecutive years. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in 2015, has significantly boosted trade, with total trade surpassing $210 billion in 2024, according to an article by Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian published by the People's Daily on Sunday. 

Strengthening dialogue, expanding the scope of economic cooperation and increasing people-to-people exchanges will bring more tangible benefits to bilateral cooperation, Song said.

"Given the complex and volatile geopolitical landscape, frequent high-level exchanges like this visit are needed to build mutual trust and strengthen the resilience of bilateral relations," Ning said.


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Friday, July 11, 2025

China, ASEAN vow co-op amid global challenges

Partnership a crucial pillar for regional, world devt, stability: expert



Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi joins hands with ASEAN foreign ministers for a group photo during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 10, 2025. Photo: VCG

China and ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirmed their wish for further cooperation and joint efforts to maintain regional peace and stability on Thursday during the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Analysts believe that China-ASEAN cooperation has now become a crucial pillar for regional as well as global development and stability, especially amid the US' sweeping and coercive series of tariffs. 

China has always been the most reliable stabilizing force in a turbulent world and the most dependable partner for ASEAN members to address challenges, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday at the meeting in the Malaysian capital. 

Noting that China and ASEAN share similar development concepts, common demands and integrated interests, Wang said that China regards ASEAN as a priority direction for neighborhood diplomacy and a pioneer area for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, briefed the achievements of China-ASEAN cooperation and put forward four proposals.

Wang said that China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to practice open regionalism and true multilateralism and make greater contributions to regional and global governance.

In terms of win-win cooperation, Wang said that China is willing to work with ASEAN to build China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to a high quality, and create a high-level free trade network.

While stating that China is willing to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, Wang stressed that the South China Sea is the common home of regional countries, rather than a "gladiatorial arena" for major powers. 

China is willing to expand cooperation with ASEAN members in areas such as marine environmental protection, navigation safety, maritime law enforcement and key marine infrastructure, fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and advance consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Wang said. 

China is willing to continue to advocate dialogue, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations with ASEAN countries, Wang said.

The participating countries said that China has always been one of the most important dialogue partners of ASEAN, and they are willing to accelerate the alignment of development strategies with China, and cooperate under the Belt and Road Initiative at a high quality, according to the release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

They also said that they are willing to work with China to safeguard multilateralism and the multilateral trading system and jointly address global challenges, further strengthen unity and cooperation with China, jointly advance the modernization process in Asia, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

"The China-ASEAN relationship is now a vital pillar for regional as well as global development and stability," Luo Yongkun, a researcher at the Institute of International Studies of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Against the backdrop of tense major power relations and the impact of the US tariff war on regional development, the numerous consensuses reached between China and ASEAN on cooperative development and maintaining regional peace and stability align with the aspirations of all parties, marking a significant outcome of this foreign ministers' meeting, Luo noted. 

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, participants said they appreciate China's willingness to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, and look forward to the early conclusion of the COC in the South China Sea by all parties. 

Ge Hongliang, Vice Dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times that China and ASEAN have a shared vision for implementing denuclearization and the peaceful use of nuclear resources in Southeast Asia.

According to the expert, China's willingness to take the lead in signing [Protocol to the Treaty on SEAWFZ] demonstrates Beijing's support for ASEAN-led regional governance frameworks, which is of great significance to maintaining regional security order, particularly nuclear safety.

In addition, the positive stance of ASEAN countries on the South China Sea issue is conductive to establishing a platform for dialogue and communication between China and Southeast Asian nations on South China Sea matters, enhancing mutual trust, Ge added. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia on Thursday during his first visit to the region since taking office, according to Reuters. 

It comes as the US government rolls out higher tariffs against Southeast Asian nations. Washington has announced plans for tariffs on Malaysia and five other ASEAN countries, with Malaysia facing a 25 percent tariff, Laos and Myanmar 40 percent, Cambodia and Thailand 36 per cent, and Indonesia 32 percent, starting from August 1, the Straits Times reported. 

Addressing the opening of the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan hailed the enhanced China-ASEAN economic cooperation, saying that the signing of the ACFTA 3.0, which is scheduled for later this year, comes at an opportune moment, according to Malaysian national news agency Bernama.

China and ASEAN remain dedicated to deepening ties and advancing regional cooperation, actively promoting the development of industrial chains that enhance regional stability, and bolstering the resilience of regional trade and investment, so as to counter the trade coercion and unilateralism from Washington, said the expert. 

In 2024, China and ASEAN had already been each other's largest trading partner for the fifth consecutive year, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Official data shows that the zero-tariff coverage rate between China and ASEAN has remained at above 65 percent. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached $982.34 billion, a year-on-year growth of 7.8 percent.

"Southeast Asian countries have many grievances against the US, perceiving its tariffs as a means of geopolitical coercion," Luo said, "While China's consistent and robust economic growth provides regional countries with confidence and stability."- Global Times

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Chinese researchers set new world record for flat-top pulsed magnetic field

 

Researchers perform an engineering test in Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on February 8, 2025. Photo: VCG

A Chinese research team has set a new record for a flat-top pulsed magnetic field (FTPMF) with a whopping 71.36 tesla, further consolidating the nation's international leadership in this field.

The achievement made on Friday by the research team led by Li Liang, a professor from the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, surpassed the research team's own previous world record of a 64-tesla FTPMF set in 2018, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday, citing a statement from the university. 

High magnetic fields are among the most critical extreme conditions in modern scientific experiments, offering unique opportunities for discovering new phenomena and uncovering fundamental laws. 

Researchers worldwide have been highly active in conducting experiments under high magnetic field conditions, creating numerous original and significant breakthroughs in fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science and biology. 

Flat-top pulsed magnetic fields represent a cutting-edge direction in high magnetic field technology. With the combination of the advantages of both steady and pulsed magnetic fields, they deliver high magnetic strength with sustained stability, enabling unique experimental conditions for research such as nuclear magnetic resonance. 

To overcome challenges in magnet structural stability and precise control of high currents under strong electromagnetic forces, the research team has achieved breakthroughs in both materials and control systems. As a result, they set a new world record with a 71.36-tesla flat-top pulsed magnetic field featuring high stability (0.39 percent stability over 12.11 milliseconds), surpassing the current international level by 19 percent. 

Tesla is the unit of magnetic induction or magnetic flux density. One tesla is equivalent to 20,000 times the Earth's magnetic induction. The stronger the magnetic induction, the greater its potential in applications. 

The high pulsed magnetic field experimental facility is a major national scientific infrastructure project developed by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It provides experimental environments featuring strong magnetic fields, ultra-low temperatures and high static pressure. 

To date, researchers from over 141 universities and research institutes across over 30 countries and have completed more than 2,000 projects at the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center, China News Service reported. 

Among the five key indicators of high pulsed magnetic field facilities, the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center ranks second in the world with a peak field strength of 94.88 tesla, and leads the world in terms of other key metrics such as flat-top magnetic field strength, pulse repetition rate, measurement precision and magnet lifespan, according to China News Service. - Global Times


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Of AI, calculators and learning maths

 


WHILE teaching mathematics in two countries, Malaysia and China, I have noticed that the way students master this subject is deeply influenced by their own educational culture and assessment systems.

Scientific calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) are now part and parcel of the learning process. However, the students’ approaches to using these tools are still firmly rooted in the foundational values shaped by their respective systems.

In Malaysia, the use of scientific calculators is a standard practice among students at the upper secondary level.

Students are allowed to use them for mathematics and additional mathematics papers in the SPM exams, especially for questions involving trigonometry, logarithms or statistical calculations.

They do speed up calculations and minimise errors, but overly relying on them can sometimes lead to weaker mastery of basic computational skills and reduced understanding of the core mathematical concepts.

Teaching foundation students at Xi’an International University in China under the Universiti Malaya (UM) offshore programme revealed a very different learning system.

Many students there had never used scientific calculators before.

As they were preparing to pursue their undergraduate studies at UM, I made them use the calculators during lectures and assessments.

They were hesitant at first, but I could see their excitement when they tried to use the device.

Nevertheless, most of them continued to solve problems, such as multiplication, square roots and trigonometric expressions, manually and did so with remarkable speed and precision.

This comfort with manual computation stemmed from their early training and a system that actively reinforces such skills.

One of the main reasons for this is China’s national university entrance exam, Gaokao. Known for its intensity and competitiveness, Gaokao strictly prohibits the use of calculators in the mathematics paper. This policy is intentional; it aims to assess a student’s genuine computational skills, ensure fairness across all regions and backgrounds, and encourage deep mastery of mathematical principles without relying on technology. As a result, Chinese students are trained from young to memorise formulas and solve problems manually.

The outcome is a generation of students who possess strong fundamental skills and a high level of confidence when tackling complex problems using logical and structured steps.

Despite these systemic differences, global developments continue to impact both countries. Students in Malaysia and China are now turning to Ai-powered apps such as CHATGPT, Deepseek, Symbolab, and Photomath, and are becoming increasingly dependent on Ai-generated solutions without fully engaging with the problem-solving process.

To address this, I apply a simple yet effective approach in my classroom. Students are required to answer the questions using their own reasoning first before they are allowed to check or verify their answers using AI.

This approach trains them to think critically, assess their own solutions, and compare them with the output provided by AI tools. It also builds confidence in their conceptual understanding.

What I find most encouraging is how students respond when their answers differ from the Ai-generated ones. On several occasions, I have heard them say confidently, “I think my answer is correct. The AI is wrong.” To me, this is a clear indicator of authentic learning.

These students are not simply replicating solutions; they have internalised the logic, are able to explain their reasoning, and are not afraid to challenge the authority of a machine when they believe in their own understanding.

I fully support the integration of AI as a learning tool, but I also believe that solving problems manually and conceptual mastery of the subject – in this case mathematics – must remain the foundation of education.

Technology should enhance students’ learning but not replace their ability to think.

FATIN NABILA ABD LATIFF Senior lecturer Mathematics Division Centre for Foundation Studies in Science Universiti Malaya

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Monday, June 16, 2025

Over half of Australians believe China will be most powerful country by 2035: poll

 

Photo: screenshot from the Lowy Institute Poll


A new Australian poll has found that more than half of Australians (56%) believe China will be the most powerful country in ten years, while only about a quarter (27%) say the same of the US, noting "attitudes toward China improved incrementally, but caution remains." 

Similarly, more believe China (58%) will lead technologically in ten years compared to the US (12%), according to Lowy Institute Poll 2025 Report published on Monday

This reflected a positive shift on Australian perceptions of China with growing number of Australians gaining firsthand exposure to China's realities, a Chinese expert commented on Monday. The expert hopes in developing bilateral ties, Canberra would not be hijacked by external forces, stressing "the common ground far outweighs differences, and bilateral relations must be defined by cooperation, not divisions."

Attitudes towards China improved incrementally, but caution remains, the Australian institute said in the summary of the poll. The poll reports the results of a nationally representative survey of 2117 adult Australian residents, conducted between 3 and 16 March. 

For the first time since 2020, Australians were just as likely to see China as an economic partner than as a security threat - though a clear majority (69%) continue to think it likely China will become a "military threat" to Australia in the next 20 years, according to the poll.

About half think Australia should cooperate more with China on climate change (49%). Views on economic engagement are mixed — a plurality (43%) say Australia should be trading at about the same level as now, whereas about half (49%) say Australia should be attracting less investment from China, shows the poll.

Regarding Australia's relationships with the superpowers, a bare majority continue to say the US is more important to Australia (52%), while a lower proportion prioritize China (43%), the poll shows.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (45%) enjoyed a 20-point lead over Peter Dutton (25%) in Australians' confidence in him to manage the relationship with China, according to the poll.

"There's slightly more trust, slightly less threat perceptions, [but] it's still a pretty bleak picture for how Australians look at China," The Guardian quoted Ryan Neelam, the poll author and a director at the Lowy Institute, as saying.

Since the 2024 survey, the gap between Australians' trust in the US compared with China has more than halved, as perceptions of China continued to improve from their nadir in 2022, The Guardian reported, quoting Neelam.

Commenting over the poll results, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Monday that in previous years, under the influence of the then-ruling party's political maneuvers and the deliberate smear campaigns by certain anti-China forces in Australia's media landscape, public perceptions of China had been distorted and mired in so-called "China threat" narratives. This led to notably negative attitudes in polls, such as the Lowy Institute Poll 2022 Report.

However, facts speak louder than rhetoric, Chen continued. Recent years have seen growing number of Australians gaining firsthand exposure to China's realities, particularly after China's visa-waiver policy for Australians, Chen said.

"For instance, we've recently hosted multiple delegations from Australia and New Zealand, with more set to visit," Chen said, sharing his experience. "The latest poll reflects a more objective shift in public sentiment," Chen noted.

Yet while Australians increasingly recognize these truths, the persistence of a majority (69%) viewing China as a future "military threat" reveals the lingering impact of fabricated "China threat" narratives, Chen remarked. 

In addition, according the Australian poll, just over one in three Australians (36%) trusted the US to act responsibly in the world, a 20-point drop since last year and the lowest level on record since the Lowy Institute began polling in 2005.

Despite the sharp drop in trust towards the US, more than six in ten (63%) continue to think that the US would come to Australia's defense if it were attacked, and more Australians say the country should remain close to the US (57%) than those who think Australia should distance itself from its major ally (40%), said the poll.

Nevertheless, most Australians (68%) are pessimistic about the current US administration. Australians are evenly split on Washington's demand for US allies to spend more on defense, according to the poll.

Since the 2024 survey, the gap between Australians' trust in the US compared with China has more than halved, as perceptions of China continued to improve from their nadir in 2022, The Guardian reported, quoting Neelam.

According to The Guardian, Neelam said "That's quite remarkable for Australia's key security ally to have such a low level of trust." "The weight of expectation is that China will be more powerful and more predominant in the global system," he said.

Support for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal remained steady, with two-thirds of Australians (67%) in favor—roughly unchanged from 2022 (70%), shortly after AUKUS was announced.

As the US consistently prioritizes its own interests and national security, even at the expense of allies, a stance that has fueled growing public disillusionment in Australia, Chen pointed out.

But the expert, citing the poll showing 63% of Australians still believe the US would defend Australia if attacked, said this exposes a lingering, unrealistic idealization of American commitments.