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On October 21, China News Service reported an update from the China Railway Group regarding concerns raised by netizens about the lengthy verification process for foreign passports on the 12306 ticketing platform. The group explained that, according to the National Immigration Administration’s recent notice on enforcing real-name registration for foreign passengers using domestic transport, the 12306 system must accurately collect and register various information from foreign passport holders, including names, nationalities, types of documents, document numbers, and birth dates. This process also includes an additional verification step specifically for foreign passports.

The complexity of names in foreign passports often leads to inaccuracies in the provided information, resulting in lower success rates for automatic verification within the 12306 system. As a consequence, a significant amount of verification must be done manually, typically taking between three to five business days.

In response to these concerns, railway authorities are prioritizing improvements in the collection and online verification of foreign passport information. They are implementing intelligent recognition technology to enhance the registration and verification processes on the 12306 website, which should reduce online verification waiting times. Additionally, they are collaborating with the National Immigration Administration to study and enhance the success rates of asynchronous online verification for foreign passports, with efforts for technical development being expedited.

On October 24, 2023, the first performance of the 17th “Spring Blooms and Autumn Fruits” Art School Stage Arts Exposition kicked off at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, featuring the concert version of the opera “Kangding Love Song,” presented by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

That evening, conductor Zhang Guoyong led the Shanghai Conservatory Orchestra and Choir, delivering an engaging performance of the first two acts of “Kangding Love Song,” which is rooted in traditional Chinese folk music.

Originating from the “liuliu diao,” a folk melody from the Kangding region of Sichuan, this opera tells the poignant story of a university graduate, Shang Yong, who ventures to the snowy plateau with dreams and ideals. Throughout his journey, he encounters a Tibetan elder named Ciwang, a young woman named Gama, and a retired soldier named Hong Zhongyi, illustrating the historical significance of the Sichuan-Tibet and Qinghai-Tibet Highways. The narrative celebrates the spirit of these roads, promotes ethnic unity, and paints a vivid picture of contemporary heroes.

The opera emphasizes a high standard of orchestral music, showcasing a rich interplay between the musicians and vocalists that enhances the storytelling. Unique harmonic language and intricate choreography effectively allow the music to convey drama, while the narrative itself highlights the musical elements.

From now until December 3, the 17th “Spring Blooms and Autumn Fruits” exposition will unfold under the theme “Strengthening Action for the Future.” This year’s event aims to provide a platform for outstanding young artists across China, allowing them to showcase their talents and embody the essence of traditional Chinese culture and global artistic classics.

Nearly a thousand teachers and students from esteemed institutions, such as the China Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Tianjin Juilliard School, Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy, Minzu University of China, Shandong Youth Political College, Hebei Vocational College of Arts, Yan’an University, and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will participate in ten performances that cover music, dance, drama, and film arts. Through this initiative, they intend to honor historical classics, preserve ethnic culture, and express the voice of a new era.

This year’s exposition will continue its unique features from past editions, integrating classic art lectures and pre-performance discussions to create a distinguished, high-level platform for aesthetic education in colleges and universities.

On October 26th, in Suzhou, a fascinating narrative unfolds through the eyes of an American, Mitch Dudek, as he shares his journey of collecting Chinese antiques.

“Traveling in China is incredibly convenient now, with online train ticket purchases enabling spontaneous trips. The high-speed trains whisk us to our destinations in no time. Yet, I have a soft spot for the old green trains—there’s something nostalgic about exploring the history of this land at a leisurely pace,” Dudek remarks, surveying his office. The vintage ambiance is palpable, with a slightly chipped wooden bench beside a meeting table, a few quirky stone artifacts in the corner, and even two retro arcade machines tucked away in the back. It’s hard to tell which is more surprising: the eclectic mix of old Chinese items or the presence of an American enthusiast in this setting.

Dudek’s love affair with China began in 1981 when he was just a 19-year-old college student from Ohio. At that time, China was just beginning to open its doors to the world. Some Chinese exchange students invited him to join them on their return home during a school break, and this marked his first visit to the country.

“I didn’t even know how to say ‘hello.’ I carried a dictionary and would look up words whenever I needed to communicate.” Despite the language barrier, Dudek felt an overwhelming warmth from the Chinese people. What truly captivated him, however, were the myriad of antiques. During a visit to an antique market in Xi’an, he was drawn to a pair of jade lion sculptures, purchasing them to share with friends back home. This initial act ignited his enduring passion for collecting Chinese antiques.

Dudek’s journey in China deepened after his first visit. He soon returned as one of the earliest American students to study here. During his downtime, he embraced life on the slower green trains, traveling extensively across the country.

“The trains back then were slow, and the travel could take quite a while. People onboard were eager to strike up conversations, and that’s how I learned Chinese. Often, I was invited to their homes, especially in rural areas, which I always accepted.” Those visits revealed a treasure trove of old items that ignited his collecting frenzy. Dudek soon found himself gathering everything from buckets and abacuses to wooden beds and even religious statues, building an impressive and diverse collection over time.

Interestingly, while some might liken him to a ‘thrifty collector,’ Dudek approaches his acquisitions with a unique philosophy. Before taking anything home, he always asks the owner, “Do you still use this?” For him, an item still in use is “alive” and deserves to remain where it is.

In the wake of China’s rapid modernization, many historical objects began to disappear. Undeterred, Dudek roams through rural areas, carefully selecting artifacts, sometimes even acquiring dilapidated buildings in dire need of repair.

“I don’t consider myself a typical collector,” he explains. “I buy based on what catches my eye. It doesn’t matter if something holds significant value; if I like it, I’ll pay a fair price for it.” He mentions having accumulated hundreds of nondescript wooden buckets alone. He strictly keeps his collection and never sells anything, viewing every piece as a treasured possession.

Over time, however, Dudek’s commitment mirrors that of a true collector. To find cherished items, he has traversed much of China. On one occasion, he even financed road repairs to transport a long-forgotten statue from a remote village. “I use half of my income for collecting and the other half for investments. When the investments yield returns, I return to my passion for collecting.”

Dudek has accumulated over 100,000 pieces, renting multiple storage spaces in Shanghai for safekeeping. “Even my friends and family think I’m crazy for hoarding so many items,” he admits with a laugh.

When questioned about his motivation for collecting these old Chinese artifacts, Dudek reflects, “These items represent the everyday lives of people from the past—a world I’ve never experienced. They showcase craftsmanship and cultural legacy, and I want to preserve them.”

Initially, his vast collections served as a personal cache for him and his friends to appreciate. However, around 2010, Dudek realized that many young Chinese today are unfamiliar with these heirlooms. This sparked the idea to open a museum to educate younger generations about the significance of these artifacts.

After years of preparation, he opened the Liuyue Museum in the ancient town of Lili in Suzhou in 2018.

The name “Liuyue” reflects Dudek’s desire for visitors to experience joy through all their senses. The museum itself is housed in a repurposed old factory, where the aged architecture beautifully complements the exhibits. The atmosphere is enriched by the scents of camphor wood furniture and herbal medicine cabinets.

Notably, 98% of the exhibits are meant to be touched. “Old objects come to life when people interact with them,” Dudek explains. “I’m not worried about them getting damaged; everyone here is careful and respectful.”

“All my collections reflect elements of everyday life for generations of Chinese people. We see about five to six hundred visitors daily, sometimes even over a thousand. It’s common to witness families spanning three generations in the museum, where the older members share stories about the artifacts that resonate with the younger ones—many find themselves moved to tears. It fosters a sense of nostalgia and connection to China’s past.”

Dudek isn’t content with just operating a museum; he envisions creating a cultural complex that integrates dining, lodging, and event spaces around the museum. In this setting, guests might serendipitously encounter various antiques. Furthermore, local residents frequently visit to cool off, chat, or attend workshops. “Museums shouldn’t exist in isolation but should be interwoven into daily life,” he asserts.

Under Dudek’s influence, his family is also gaining a greater appreciation for Chinese culture. “My mother loves the museum and even participated in its design. Now, she visits China one to two times a year, staying for a month each time. My sister helped design a restaurant next to the museum, incorporating old Chinese artifacts into the decor. My nephew is also learning Chinese in hopes of understanding this country better. Now that I’m retired, I have more time to manage the museum, and my bond with China will continue to grow.”

On October 26, the South Asia Southeast Asia Medical Education and Healthcare Alliance Health Forum and the 2024 National Local Medical Humanities Education Alliance Academic Annual Conference took place in Kunming, Yunnan. This significant event brought together experts and scholars from 11 universities and healthcare institutions across eight South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, along with representatives from 53 domestic institutions, to focus on issues related to healthcare and medical humanities education while engaging in academic discussions and dialogues.

The forum is part of Yunnan Province’s 2024 “People’s Affection: Education Journey” series, which aims to foster high-quality educational collaboration in the region. Hosted by Kunming Medical University, the event featured parallel forums on infectious disease prevention and control, behavior and health, environment and health, and medical humanities education. The goal is to enhance the educational standards of universities in both China and South Asia Southeast Asia, contributing to the development of a global health community.

Deputy Inspector Lei Tao from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education expressed that the “People’s Affection: Education Journey” initiative represents an important exploration into opening up education and establishing an educational radiation center focused on South Asia and Southeast Asia. He emphasized the need for participants to build consensus, actively seek new paths and plans for medical education cooperation between China and the South Asian and Southeast Asian nations, and contribute to regional social development and well-being.

Wang Jiankun, Deputy Director of the Yunnan Provincial Health and Wellness Committee, highlighted that the alliance strengthens mutual trust and cooperation through dialogue and discussion. This collaborative approach aims to seize new opportunities and face challenges in regional health development, ultimately contributing to global health governance and constructing a health community for all mankind.

Located in southwestern China, Yunnan Province shares borders with Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. In his keynote address titled “The Cross-Border and Cross-Species Transmission Patterns of Viral Infectious Diseases in Yunnan,” President Xia Xueshan of Kunming Medical University noted that the deepening of economic and trade cooperation has led to the mutual impact of infectious diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, HIV, and hepatitis C between Yunnan and its neighboring countries. He stressed that the prevention and control of infectious diseases in Yunnan is closely linked to Southeast Asian nations, highlighting the importance of collaboration in this area.

It is worth noting that in July 2019, Kunming Medical University, in partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, initiated the formation of the South Asia Southeast Asia Medical Education and Healthcare Alliance. In November 2022, Wenzhou Medical University, together with Kunming Medical University and 21 other local medical colleges, established the National Local Medical Colleges Medical Humanities Education Alliance. These alliances have become crucial platforms for medical education and healthcare exchange and cooperation between Yunnan and South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, as well as among local Chinese institutions.

San Francisco has recently received California’s “Supportive Housing” certification, a significant milestone aimed at boosting affordable housing construction. During an event held on October 25 in the Haight-Ashbury district, Mayor London Breed joined California State Senator Scott Wiener and City Council Member Myrna Melgar to announce this achievement in front of the first 160 affordable housing units in the area.

In her remarks, Mayor Breed paid tribute to the late Mayor Ed Lee, commending his efforts during his tenure to facilitate the acquisition and redevelopment of the site, calling it a “moment of dreams coming true.”

Mayor Breed emphasized that California’s designation of San Francisco as a “Supportive Housing” city will open the door to increased state funding for housing, employment, and infrastructure projects. She stated, “This is a significant step forward for us,” highlighting a dramatic shift in the City Council’s approach since 2021. With more open housing policies, she believes San Francisco is on the path to a housing renaissance.

The Mayor also mentioned the city’s progress in eliminating barriers to development, reducing impact fees, and expediting the approval process. She expressed gratitude to Senator Wiener, crediting him for advancing the “Supportive Housing” policy in state legislation, which has provided the city with vital funding and a competitive edge.

Senator Wiener pointed out that this “Supportive Housing” designation serves as a reward for cities that align with state policies, and it was San Francisco’s leadership that helped secure this recognition. He acknowledged that the city’s policy changes reflect a determined effort to overcome historical housing challenges.

Council Member Myrna Melgar, who attended the event, stated that San Francisco’s housing policies are not merely responses to current needs but also lay the groundwork for future urban development. With the city’s redevelopment initiatives, she envisions a safe and affordable living environment for future residents. “The housing plan for the west side exemplifies our commitment; it will become an ideal place for the next generation,” she said.

The construction of these affordable housing units marks a significant advancement for San Francisco in addressing its housing shortage, allowing more residents to find homes in a financially viable setting.

Drewe Raimi was lying in bed, casually scrolling TikTok when a notification popped up: Venmo’s familiar cha-ching sound announced a deposit of $3,456.44. At first, she thought it might be a spam message or a friend’s prank. But the money was from Juul Labs Inc., the company that had transformed vaping into a must-have accessory for millennials and Gen Z.

“I filled out a class-action claim with some friends back in 2021, during my senior year of college. I never thought much of it,” said Raimi, now 23 and living in New York. “We shared the lawsuit details in our group chat for a laugh, just to see what would happen.”

The lawsuit claimed that Juul’s products, including vapes and flavored nicotine pods, were unlawfully marketed to minors. It also alleged that consumers were misled about their addictive nature. Juul and its former parent company, Altria, settled for over $300 million, leading to more than 14 million claims filed by customers before the deadline in February. According to NBC News, payments began to roll out this month, with 842,000 eligible recipients receiving amounts ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

On TikTok, users shared their surprise payouts, with one woman exclaiming, “Whoever told me to sign up for the Juul class action, I love you so much!” Her payout exceeded $7,000. Another user posted, “When you forgot you signed up for the Juul lawsuit two years ago and woke up to the bag in your Venmo this morning.”

Some, however, questioned whether the payouts were worth the years spent grappling with nicotine addiction. One TikTok user shared her payout of $288.03 with the caption, “When you wake up to the best present but had to deal with a crippling nicotine addiction for years to get it.” Raimi mentioned that while she used Juul occasionally in college, she doesn’t consider herself addicted.

The motivations behind these claims remain ambiguous. Was it merely a “joke” to file claims for products they never used, or did they genuinely not expect to receive such substantial payouts?

Christine P. Bartholomew, a law professor at the University at Buffalo, cautioned against public boasting regarding potentially false claims. “That can be considered fraud on the court,” she explained. “Individuals could face serious legal consequences.”

Court rulings in class-action lawsuits can appear trivial, often resulting in meager payouts for plaintiffs. Earlier this year, for instance, some Caribbean Cruises customers received just $10 each after unwanted robocalls, while others got about $3 from Right Guard over a carcinogen in its spray deodorant. Yet Bartholomew insists that significant settlements like Juul’s ultimately serve the public good. “People often say that the stamp they used to mail their claim is worth more than what they might receive. This case reminds us that the story isn’t always so straightforward.”

In 1998, the four largest tobacco companies in the U.S. settled with the attorneys general of 46 states, agreeing to pay $206 billion over 25 years to cover medical costs linked to smoking-related illnesses, though that payment did not go directly to individual smokers. The Juul settlement, however, holds the company accountable for its marketing practices toward underage customers. Dr. Robert K. Jackler from Stanford Medicine noted, “This was a carefully orchestrated campaign to attract young people and to encourage them to promote Juul among their peers, which proved remarkably effective.”

While Altria denied the lawsuit’s allegations, Juul did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement.

Founded by two Stanford graduates and former smokers in 2005, Juul initially aimed to provide a healthier alternative for adult smokers. However, its sleek design and flavored offerings inadvertently appealed to a younger demographic, aided by savvy marketing tactics involving social media influencers. By 2018, a group of senators, including Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren, publicly condemned Juul for putting a new generation at risk for nicotine addiction.

Jackler pointed out that the last few years have seen an influx of lawsuits against Juul, with many now settled. He emphasized that the class-action lawsuit serves as a clear warning to the company: it cannot profit from its unethical practices without facing repercussions.

As for whether the surprise Juul payout will shift young people’s perceptions of nicotine use, Raimi shared her personal stance. “I tried vaping and didn’t love it. I’ve never smoked a cigarette,” she remarked. Yet, she empathizes with minors who may have developed addictions and believes they deserve some form of compensation. “If you’re a minor and unaware of the true nature of what you’re being sold, it’s tough to make decisions that could impact your future,” she said.

For now, Raimi is undecided about how to spend her unexpected windfall. Her parents suggest investing the money, friends advocate for treating herself to something fun, while random TikTok users jokingly ask for cash. “It’s free money,” she laughed. “I’ll probably end up using it for rent.”

The Road to Somewhere author argues that the liberating impact of feminism has harmed our children in a book shot through with claims that don’t stand up to scrutiny
Gaby HinsliffSun 13 Oct 2024 07.00 BSTShareIt was mostly in the small hours that I first read David Goodhart’s new book on caring. By coincidence, it arrived as I was trying to look after my dying father at one end of the country and my own family at the other, while simultaneously attempting to work. Well, that’s life: there are millions of us in the same boat, which is why a deeper exploration of care feels so very overdue. But perhaps it hasn’t been Goodhart’s life, exactly. When it came to his own four children and elderly parents, he confesses, like many men of his generation he “played a subordinate role” to his now ex-wife and his sisters respectively. As a man tackling this topic now, he writes, he’s braced for some flak. Well, yes; and perhaps particularly as the kind of man who writes that while the early days of lockdown might have been tough on women, “the story in the UK was also one of people finding domestic life unexpectedly rewarding”, which may not be exactly how parents of stir-crazed toddlers remember it. But anyway, back to the book.
This is the third in a trilogy that began in 2017 with the thought-provoking The Road to Somewhere, which immortalised the two warring tribes of Brexit as Everywheres (liberal, cosmopolitan, faintly haughty urban elites) v Somewheres (socially conservative, anchored in provincial towns, annoyed at being condescended to). This time his focus is family life and fertility, a hot topic for British Tories obsessed with the idea that millennials aren’t having enough babies, but also for Trump-era Republicans and the European far right.
Goodhart’s case is the Somewhere-ish one that feminism may have been great for liberating women and boosting economic growth, but that it was less positive for children supposedly damaged by divorce, mothers who’d rather have been at home, and countries whose populations are now shrinking thanks to millennials’ apparent reluctance to settle down and breed. Though there’s an inevitable section titled “What about men?”, he insists the real modern battleground isn’t feminists v disgruntled men who want them back in the kitchen. Instead, it’s “care egalitarians” (who see men’s and women’s roles as interchangeable, and think putting young babies in nursery is self-evidently good) v “care balancers”, who embrace equality but worry about the consequences of what he calls “an unstable family life”. Neither of these archetypes seems wholly convincing in real life, perhaps because parenting is a muddy business that doesn’t lend itself to such starkly drawn binaries as Brexit. But from here, things take a significantly wilder turn.
Is it too far-fetched, he muses, to think a rise in the number of people on sickness benefit is somehow connected to falling numbers of full-time parents?Goodhart suggests the current teenage mental health crisis may be related to rising divorce rates, while conceding that the timings don’t really fit (given the big shift in divorce rates started in the 1980s). Well, maybe it has something to do with daycare used by working parents, then? Leaping on the US psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s thesis that overprotective parenting has made children too anxious, he suggests that perhaps this kind of coddling starts in nursery rather than at home, if busy staff conscious of being responsible for other people’s precious children become too health and safety conscious. (The sole evidence offered here is one article by a journalist, arguing that she let her toddler take more physical risks than the nursery did.) Is it too far-fetched, he muses at one point, to think a rise in the number of people on long-term sickness benefit is somehow connected to falling numbers of full-time parents? Given he presents no hard evidence actually linking the two, then, yes, it absolutely is a leap too far.
Goodhart returns to firmer ground in the final chapters, arguing that caring should be more highly valued regardless of who does it and offering plenty of practical suggestions, from flexible working practices or free respite care for family carers to more generous paternity leave, and higher wages for social care workers – though, for him, the latter seems partly to be about reducing reliance on cheap immigrant labour.
He’s right, too, that there is an identifiable group of parents who long to spend more time with their children, feel wretched about not doing so, but don’t have the luxury of that choice (though they include fathers as well as mothers). Mainstream political parties tend to offer this often low-earning group cheaper childcare, so that they can work even longer hours, and Goodhart has a point that their voices aren’t much heard: it would be genuinely interesting to hear more from them about what they really want from politicians. But there are no such in-depth interviews here. Instead, the author dusts off two ideas – giving the money spent on subsidising nursery places directly to parents to use as they wish, and a tax break for single breadwinner couples that wouldn’t come close to making up for a stay-at-home parent’s missing salary – that were mainstays of Conservative leadership contests more than two decades ago, in what was socially and economically a very different world.
In fairness to Goodhart, care is a fiendishly difficult policy nut to crack, and nobody has all the answers. But what this book lacks, ironically given its subject, is intimacy; that deep, gut understanding of what it’s really like in 2024 to look after someone who needs you. Without it, this debate risks falling into what Goodhart so astutely identified as the Anywhere political trap, of accidentally talking over the very people it’s supposedly about.
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The Care Dilemma: Caring Enough in the Age of Sex Equality by David Goodhart is published by Forum (£25). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

On October 16th, the specialists in green, low-carbon, and high-quality development gathered in Weihai for the launch of the “China·Shandong PhD (Postdoctoral) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition” for the Weihai region. Nearly a hundred domestic and international PhDs and postdocs are vying for top honors in this competition.

The competition features six key tracks: next-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy and materials, biomedicine and health, modern agriculture and food, and marine development and applications. Each track will award two gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals. Specifically, the Weihai region focuses on next-generation information technology and biomedicine and health.

This year, Weihai initiated participation from 84 leading enterprises and institutions that posted 362 project technology needs, drawing in submissions from PhDs and postdocs both domestically and internationally. A total of 200 projects were proposed, with 99 advancing to the finals, fostering opportunities for high-level experts and talented PhDs to innovate and start businesses in Weihai.

At the event, a unique format of “8-minute presentation + 7-minute Q&A” was adopted for the competition. Participants presented on various aspects including project technical collaboration, implementation plans, and business models. Unlike previous competitions, teams were required to demonstrate their innovations in environmental protection and resource utilization.

Additionally, several experts in green technologies were present to evaluate and guide the participating projects. Their insights aimed to help companies create more competitive products and solutions in the marketplace.

Over the two-day event, there will also be a PhD technology service team activity, enabling participants to engage in close discussions with local enterprises regarding talent needs and technology collaborations.

Notably, the competition features significant policy incentives from both Shandong Province and Weihai City. Gold, silver, and bronze medal winners will receive cash prizes of 50,000, 20,000, and 10,000 yuan respectively. Furthermore, gold medal winners will be awarded the “Shandong Talent Card,” while silver and bronze winners will receive the “Weihai Talent Card.” Projects recognized in the entrepreneurial competition that are established within the province will be incorporated into the “Provincial Postdoctoral Entrepreneurial Startup Support Program,” and talent recognition awards will be part of Weihai’s key support initiatives for postdoctoral projects.

Weihai, located at the easternmost tip of the Shandong Peninsula, is one of China’s first coastal open cities. In recent years, the city has nurtured industry clusters in next-generation information technology, new pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and marine biological and health foods, with high-tech industries accounting for 72.7% of the total industrial output value, attracting many high-level experts and talented teams to start their ventures here.

On October 25, during an interview with Zhang Xueying from China News Service, we explored an innovative coffee delivery system in Zhuzhou. Imagine ordering a cup of coffee through your smartphone and having it safely delivered to your hands by an “air delivery personnel” just 3 to 5 minutes later, without any spills.

This futuristic scenario has become a reality in Zhuzhou thanks to the continuous advancements in the core technology of China’s BeiDou Satellite Navigation System.

Lu Jun, Executive Director of the Zhuzhou “Drone + BeiDou” Low-altitude Comprehensive Service Center, explained, “The ‘Ark 40 drone’ combines BeiDou’s high-precision service, visual navigation, and laser radar technology, achieving landing precision down to the centimeter level. This method of delivery can reduce shipping times by more than 80% compared to traditional road transportation.” He further mentioned that the company has launched 21 routes for medical transport, express delivery, and agricultural product transportation. “When hospitals urgently need blood, it only takes three or four minutes to deliver it by drone from the blood bank,” he added.

From October 24 to 25, the third International BeiDou Large-scale Application Summit was held in Zhuzhou, showcasing the Ark 40 drone among other technological innovations. The summit featured indoor scenario demonstrations and outdoor static exhibits. Attendees discovered various applications using BeiDou technology, including a smart farming system for rice, an autonomous cleaning vehicle with a precision of up to 5 centimeters, and a BeiDou satellite emergency rescue watch that can send distress signals. These advancements show how the once distant capabilities of the BeiDou system have quietly integrated into everyday life.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the BeiDou system’s development. Since its inception in 1994, it has achieved significant milestones: transforming from a non-existent concept to a global positioning system, now providing services to over 200 countries and regions with all-weather, all-time, and high-precision navigation and timing.

Public transportation challenges like long wait times and slow operations can hinder people’s mobility. Within a 10-square-kilometer area in Zhuzhou’s Vocational Education and Innovation City, passengers can now book buses in real time through a mini-program. The compact 5.33-meter BeiDou cloud bus arrives in just 5 minutes, with an average trip time of 10 minutes to the destination.

This new type of bus, developed by the Zhuzhou Public Transport Company in collaboration with CRRC Times Electric Vehicle Co., utilizes the BeiDou system. According to Wen Jianfeng, Deputy Director of the CRRC Electric Foundation and Testing Research Institute, “The platform enables real-time tracking of the cloud bus, allowing for the merging of orders based on passenger needs to create efficient routes and provide point-to-point travel services.”

As hiking becomes increasingly popular, so do the risks associated with it. “We partnered with Zhongbing Weitong Co., Ltd. to create the BeiDou Badge,” explained Yan Zhiwei, Chairman of Hailiao Satellite. The BeiDou Badge is the first consumer device in China that supports BeiDou text, voice, and image functions simultaneously. It remains functional even in remote areas without ground network access, enabling emergency communication through satellite networks to ensure safety.

According to official data, the overall output value of China’s satellite navigation and positioning service industry reached 536.2 billion yuan in 2023, marking a 7.09% increase from 2022. The BeiDou system has found extensive applications across agriculture, forestry, fisheries, hydrology monitoring, meteorological forecasting, disaster relief, and public safety, leading to new business models, emerging industries, and economic growth.

On October 23, China Postal Savings Bank celebrated the successful launch of its next-generation corporate business core system, which has significantly improved overall operational efficiency by more than tenfold compared to the previous system.

The implementation followed a strategic approach of “unified planning, phased execution, and online transition,” beginning construction in March 2022 and achieving full operational deployment by January 2024, with complete customer migration completed by October 2024—totaling two and a half years of construction. This project served as a key opportunity for the bank to comprehensively optimize its IT architecture, enhance system performance, reshape core transaction processes, and improve customer experience. It also laid a solid foundation for cultivating a digital talent pool, boosting independent innovation capabilities, advancing the digital transformation of corporate finance, and enhancing competitiveness.

First, the bank tackled critical core technologies. The infrastructure for the new system—including server hardware, operating systems, and databases—was fully domestically sourced. Through in-house development, the core system has achieved complete and independent domestic control, setting a benchmark for the digital innovation applications within the industry and facilitating the further advancement of domestic core system developments.

Second, service quality and efficiency were significantly improved. The new system enhanced customer interactions through “process reshaping and system optimization,” facilitating data sharing, one-click product package signing, and integrating high-frequency products and customer services. It also focused on cash management goals encompassing liquidity, profitability, and security, establishing a new smart cash management system. Digital technologies were employed to enhance risk control and anti-fraud capabilities, further bolstering system risk management and compliance capabilities.

Third, the system strengthened business support capacities. Built on a distributed architecture, it features automatic fault transfer and recovery, multiple active centers, and capabilities that support elastic scaling and rapid expansion, accommodating high concurrency of massive data. This ensures stable operation 24/7 even under extreme conditions. The bank’s agile implementation process led to the design of over 5,000 flexible standardized components, allowing for comprehensive and rapid responses to diverse user needs while improving user experience.

Fourth, the bank is focused on cultivating a digital talent pool. The next-generation corporate system development has trained finance professionals who are well-versed in both digital technologies and business management, strengthening the foundation for the bank’s digital transformation and supporting the evolution of financial technology in China’s banking sector.

This next-generation corporate business core system builds on previous systems for personal banking and credit cards, marking another step in the bank’s commitment to autonomous control of critical core technologies and fully domestic infrastructure. This initiative is a testament to China Postal Savings Bank’s role as a major state-owned commercial bank, fulfilling its mission for high-level technological self-reliance and enhancing the security of financial systems.

Looking ahead, China Postal Savings Bank will continue to embody the responsibilities of a national bank, fully implementing the country’s innovation-driven development strategy, and creating an efficient and interactive ecosystem for technology-driven financial services. This effort aims to leverage technological innovation to propel the modernization of industries, enhance new productivity development, and promote sustainable advancements in technological independence and national strength.