Foreign
E China’s Hangzhou gears up for first carbon-neutral Asian Games

By Li Zhongwen, Liu Junguo, People’s Daily
Hangzhou city, capital of east China’s Zhejiang province, is gearing up to make the 19th Asian Games, which is slated to run from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 in the city, the first carbon-neutral Asian Games in history.
Determined to host a “Green, Smart, Economical and Ethical” Asian Games, Hangzhou has arranged for all 65 venues and office facilities for the event to run fully on green electricity from March through December this year.
The city has already completed transactions for 621 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green electricity for the event, bringing electricity produced from renewable energy sources thousands miles away to venues for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games through ultra-high voltage (UHV) grids.
Photovoltaic (PV) power generation projects in areas along the ancient Silk Road, such as the Qaidam Basin in northwest China’s Qinghai province, Jiayuguan city in northwest China’s Gansu province, and the Loess Plateau in northern China, as well as wind power projects in places including Hami city in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, have all contributed green power to the event.
In addition, green electricity produced by projects in Zhejiang province, including distributed PV power projects and offshore wind power projects, has also converged in the national grid, lighting up facilities of the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games together with wind and solar power from regions along the ancient Silk Road.
It’s worth noting that a single crystal double-sided PV module of a PV power generation project located in Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Qinghai province, can generate 2.2 kWh of electricity daily.
After being transmitted to Hangzhou through China’s west-to-east power transmission program, this 2.2 kWh of green electricity can power a single energy-efficient light bulb at the gymnasium of Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center cluster, the main venue for the 19th Asian Games, for 220 hours.
Electric vehicles are expected to contribute to the formation of a new trend toward green travel during the Hangzhou Asian Games.
According to credible sources, the State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company is pressing ahead with the full coverage of charging piles at venues for the Hangzhou Asian Games, and is building a green travel service system in key areas related to the event, including Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan district and Binjiang district, as well as their surrounding areas.
The company also endeavors to build a one-kilometer radius charging circle in areas related to the Hangzhou Asian Games by equipping the Hangzhou Asian Games village in Xiaoshan district with China’s first high-power wireless charging station for new energy vehicles (NEVs) and building charging station at the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.
The company has built a cumulative total of 102 charging stations and 2,024 charging piles in the city, striving to provide all-round services for green travels during the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The concept of green and low-carbon development has been ingeniously integrated into the design and operations of competition venues for the Hangzhou Asian Games. Among the venues of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center cluster, a butterfly-shaped venue that incorporates a natatorium and a gymnasium has drawn great attention because of its novel appearance and eco-friendly design.
The venue is equipped with 210 light tubes, which diffuse natural light from the outdoors to the indoors through top skylight covers. Compared to fluorescent lights, these light tubes are flicker-free, environmentally friendly and energy-saving. They have a lifespan of up to 25 years, and can be turned on and off. More importantly, they can save approximately 100,000 kWh of electricity annually.
The roof of the Fuyang Water Sports Center, a venue for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, has an area of approximately 24,000 square meters covered with soil. It is planted with green plants including Carthusian pink, common zinnia, and Chinese rose, blending in with the surrounding natural landscape.
These plants have not only increased the greening rate of the entire venue to 45 percent, but also benefited people by helping with carbon fixation and oxygen release, heat insulation, and stormwater runoff reduction.
Yangshan Sport Climbing Center, located in Keqiao district, Shaoxing city, Zhejiang province, is a venue for the Hangzhou Asian Games that has been transformed from an abandoned mine into an international competition venue and a youth rock climbing base.
The venue has adopted a semi-open design, allowing athletes and spectators to enjoy the natural scenery of the original quarry during competitions.
With a total construction area of 850,000 square meters, the Hangzhou International Expo Center in Xiaoshan district will serve as the main media center, the venue for squash competitions and training, as well as the official reception hotel for the Hangzhou Asian Games.
In order to reduce waste generation at the point of origin, the center, which used to generate 4,000 tonnes of various types of waste annually, has introduced an intelligent waste sorting system. The system provides real-time statistical analysis of the waste generated in the venue and hotel areas, and timely carries out harmless treatment, significantly minimizing the production of waste.
“Green” is one of the fundamental principles guiding the organization of the Hangzhou Asian Games, and “zero waste” is considered an important aspect of the “Green” Asian Games. By “zero waste”, the organizers do not simply mean not generating solid waste, but aim to continuously promote waste reduction at the source and waste recycling, thus minimizing the impact of solid waste on the environment.
The concept of “zero waste” runs through every aspect of the preparation for the 19th Asian Games. Only 12 of the 56 venues for the event are newly built, and the remaining 44, which are transformed or temporarily constructed competition venues, have widely utilized prefabricated buildings and recyclable and renewable materials during construction.
The glass walls and spectator stands, among other facilities of the Squash Court of the Hangzhou Asian Games, for example, can be removed and transported as a whole after the competitions, and donated to relevant industries for the promotion and popularization of squash.
In many other aspects of the event, such as accommodation and catering, the Hangzhou Asian Games also endeavors to reduce solid waste generation at the source and boost recycling, maximizing utilization of resources.
Foreign
China’s new chapter in global innovation

By Gu Yekai, Liu Yiqing, People’s Daily
At a smart construction project site managed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a quiet technological revolution is underway. Amid cranes and concrete, engineers are deploying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could fundamentally reshape the construction industry.
Li Fengjian, an AI specialistwith Xianyuan Technology, detailed how the company’s latest intelligent system – built on a large model – adapts to complex construction environments.”Engineering machinery equipped with intelligent agents can adjust its operations automatically in response to weather conditions,” Li explained, adding that a spatiotemporal sensing network further enhances the system, providing real-time tracking of both personnel and materials throughout the construction site.
In February this year, Xianyuan Technology rapidly integrated its self-developed model with DeepSeek-R1, effectively blending a general-purpose framework with industry-specific models. This integration, Li noted, has produced a solution capable of delivering expert-level performance in challenging, dynamic environments. The firm is based in the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, aburgeoning AI incubator that now hosts over 200 innovative enterprises.
China’s technological transformation extends well beyond the construction sector. Overthe past three decades, the country has evolved from its initial forays into internet connectivity to becoming a key player in global digital innovation.
Here, a steady stream of technological innovations are emerging, from the early days of emails and web browsing to the cutting-edge technologies represented by DeepSeek and the dynamic evolution of social media.
Wu Jianping, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and headof the Zhongguancun Laboratory, pointed out that while China had introduced only one internet standard before 2005, it now contributes to over 200 worldwide. Such strides illustrate the country’s concerted push toward high-level technological self-reliance – a journey marked by both persistence and determination.
Beyond the digital realm, China is makingsignificant inroads in aerospace, new energy, and other high-tech sectors. It has transitioned from being a follower to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders, and in some areas, even taking the lead. Wu attributed these achievements to a dynamic ecosystem of policy reforms and talent cultivation that encourages creativity and technical expertise at every level.
Amid intensifying international competition, collaborative research and the integration of new technologies with traditional industries are central to China’s high-quality economic development.
Mei Linhai, a researcher at China’s State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Intelligence, remarked that the age of AI calls for continuous exploration. “In this era, everyone is an innovator. Only by persistently pushing the boundaries can we remain at the forefront of both technological and industrial development,” Mei observed.
In the field of general-purpose AI, Mei emphasized that independent innovation is paramount. He advocates for a self-driven industrial ecosystem that leveragesbreakthrough technologies to boost productivity and unlock new possibilities, Mei said.
Foreign
Chinese democracy in action:a village bench meeting shapes national law

By Wei Zhezhe, Liu Botong, People’s Daily
In a modest corner of Jiangmen, south China’s Guangdong province, residents of Weidong village are experiencing firsthand a form of democracy that starts at the grassroots level and reverberates all the way to Beijing.
Wu Tengxin, a local villager who relies on a scooter for daily mobility after contracting polio, recalls a time when the village’s public spaces were ill-equipped for people with disabilities. Now, thanks to a simple suggestion made during a meeting, his everyday life has changed.
In November 2022, a team from a local legislative outreach office – a branch of China’sNational People’s Congress (NPC) – visited Weidong village and set up a “bench-style meeting.” Residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities, gathered to voice their concerns about inadequate accessibility.
Amid the conversation, Wu offered a straightforward proposal: “I hope rural accessible facilities can be improved to make mobility easier for people with disabilities and the elderly.” His words were relayed verbatim to lawmakers.
The response was swift. On June 28, 2023, at the third session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, legislators passed a law on building a barrier-free living environment. The law stipulates that improvements”shall align with social and economic development levels, coordinate urban and rural progress, and gradually narrow the gap in infrastructure between urban and rural areas.”
Today, Wu observes that the village’s main roads and public squares have been upgraded with accessibility features that make getting around considerably easier.
This episode illustrates what Chinese officials call “whole-process people’s democracy” – a system where citizen input is woven into every stage of policy development.
Jilie Ziri, head of Abuluoha village in Butuo county, southwest China’s Sichuan province, remarked that for young generations in China, democracy has become a lived experience. “Villagers are the masters of village affairs,” he said, emphasizing how active villager participation has injected new vitality into local governance.
Experts point to consultative democracy as a cornerstone of this process. Tao Kaiyuan, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, underscores the important role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, whose members hail from every stratum of society and bring a wealth of expertise and connections.
Their regular forums, field research, and public consultations have created robust channels for citizens to contribute ideas and forge consensus.”This approach gathers collective wisdom and transforms public voices into policy,” Tao said.
Another crucial manifestation is the effectiveness of China’s political party system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese democratic parties actively fulfill their duties, offering recommendations that often translate into concrete policy decisions. This integrated approach demonstrates the unique strengths of China’s political system and the advantages of whole-process people’s democracy.
Tao emphasized that whole-process people’s democracyhas evolved into an efficient and dynamic democratic practice – one that not only reflects the essence of socialist democracy but also presents a pioneering model of political civilization, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global governance and democratic development.
Foreign
Chinese modernization: blueprint for global progress

By He Yin, People’s Daily
At China’s recent annual “two sessions,” Chinese modernization once again captured global attention. International observers are closely following a range of new measures designed not only to accelerate Chinese domestic transformation but also to unlock fresh opportunities for global development.
They believe that Chinese modernization, built on a foundation of openness and cooperation, will continue to yield global benefits with each new milestone.
Today, China stands as a formidable force in the global economy – accounting for around 18 percent of the global economy and nearly 30 percent of world manufacturing output. Year after year, the nation has contributed about 30 percent to global economic growth. With import and export records with almost all countries and regions designated in the United Nations Statistics Division, the country is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. In 2024, its exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth.
Often hailed as the “world’s largest developing country,”the “second-largest economy,””world’s factory,””global market,” and “innovation powerhouse,” China is increasingly viewed as a beacon of stability and progress.
In recent years, high-profile events such as the seventh China International Import Expo – where intended deals exceeded $80 billion – and the establishment of over 1.239 million foreign-invested enterprises have reinforced the nation’s reputation as a vast, dynamic market.
Meanwhile, policies encouraging Chinese companies to “go global” have seen a steady stream of new technologies, goods, and services permeate international markets, knitting the country ever tighter into global value chains and bolstering its commitment to win-win cooperation.
The influence of Chinese modernization is evident far beyond its borders. In the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera has repeatedly screened China’s political documentary Carry the Reform Through to the End for cabinet discussions, while officialsin Uzbekistan are adapting China’s poverty-reduction experience to suit their national context. These moves challenge the assumption that modernization must follow Western models, suggesting that China’s alternative pathway offers a viable route to development.
Beyond economic growth, Chinese modernization is increasingly celebrated for its potential to foster win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for example, Kazakhstan secured its first maritime access and Laos launched its first modern railway. Support from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has propelled over 160 projects, benefiting more than 30 million people. Moreover, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, signaling its commitment to an open and inclusive global economy.
China’s modernization agenda also tackles global challenges head on. In response to global environmental risks, China advocates for building a community of all life on the Earth. To bridge the digital and AI divide, it has launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All to ensure that technological advancements benefit every corner of the globe.
On the security front, China continues to promote dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones while engaging in multilateral security collaborations, reinforcing its reputation as a nation committed to peace and stability.
By proposing initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative, China is not just charting its own course toward modernization but championing an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization – one that seeks to ensure that no nation is left behind on the path to prosperity.
The global appeal of Chinese modernization is far from accidental. Decades of reform and opening up have accelerated its development while enabling the country to contribute to global governance. On the international stage, it has taken on a leadership role – actively shaping global norms, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and advancing world peace and development. By sharing its successful experiences and technological advancements, the country seeks to help other developing countries chart their own courses toward progress.
With over 1.4 billion people engaged in this modernization journey – a number that surpasses the total population of all developed countries combined – China’s approach is redefining the global modernization landscape. For China, modernization is not solely a national endeavor but a blueprint for global progress – a vision that promises a more inclusive future for all.
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