New Ideas Guide New Journey: Accelerating Robotics Industry Development to Foster New Drivers for High-Quality Growth
In 2015, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the inaugural World Robot Conference, noting that with the continuous integration of informatization and industrialization, intelligent industries represented by robotic technology are flourishing and have become an important symbol of scientific and technological innovation in the current era. Over the past decade, China's robotics industry has achieved a historic leap from "small to large" and "large to strong," entering a stage of high-quality development with great strides. Today, China has become the world's largest industrial robot market and producer, contributing China's strength to global development. The robot you are currently seeing running steadily on a treadmill at 6 kilometers per hour was developed by the Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center. This world's first full-size humanoid robot capable of human-like running, powered purely by electricity, can also serve as a mother platform for flexible expansion and iteration to meet the application needs of different scenarios. At this World Robot Conference, 169 leading global enterprises brought more than 600 innovative products, including over 60 new product launches. Additionally, more than 7,000 teams from over 10 countries participated in competitions. Robots are known as the "pearl at the crown of manufacturing" and are an important symbol of a country's level of scientific and technological innovation and high-end manufacturing. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the "robot revolution" will influence the global manufacturing landscape, and China will become the world's largest robot market. We must not only improve our robot technology but also occupy as much market share as possible. In 2015, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the first World Robot Conference, stating that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the scientific and technological and industrial circles of various countries to promote the research, development, and industrialization of robotic technology, so that robotic technology and its products can better serve the promotion of development and the well-being of the people. Over the past decade, the World Robot Conference has attracted more than 1 million participants, becoming a global "innovation leadership," "industry promotion," and "international cooperation" event in the field of robotics. As the permanent venue for the World Robot Conference, Beijing's robot industry's total revenue exceeded 20 billion yuan last year (2023). In the important field of deep integration between artificial intelligence technology and the real economy, the robot industry is integrating into people's production and lives with unprecedented breadth and depth. Over the past decade, new innovative robot products have continuously emerged in China, making new breakthroughs in bionics, perception, cognition, planning, and control. From overall machine design and manufacturing to core components such as precision reducers, high-performance servo drives, and intelligent controllers, a rich product spectrum has been formed, and technological levels and industrialization capabilities have been significantly upgraded. The speed, accuracy, reliability, and load capacity of industrial robot products have gradually improved, with some products reaching an average failure-free operation time of 80,000 hours, all at world-leading levels. Currently, China has become an important force in global robot technology innovation, application expansion, and industry governance. Innovative enterprises in the robotics field are continuously growing, with over 400 "little giant" enterprises specializing in "new and unique" fields, making China the world's largest robot producer and the world's largest industrial robot market. The application of "Robotics+" is accelerating, with industrial robots covering 71 major categories of the national economy. Robotic technology is deeply integrated into the blood of China's economic development, rapidly forming new productive forces led by scientific and industrial innovation.
Li Qiang Visits 2024 World Robot Expo
Li Qiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, visited and inspected the 2024 World Robot Expo on August 25. He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on the robotics industry, deeply grasp the future trends and significant opportunities in robot development, vigorously promote robot technological innovation and industrial development, accelerate the cultivation of new productive forces, shape new drivers and advantages for development, and continuously enhance people's well-being. The 2024 World Robot Conference, themed "Cultivating New Productive Forces, Sharing a New Intelligent Future," was held in Beijing. Li Qiang visited the exhibition hall of the 2024 World Robot Expo, toured the robot booths of companies and institutions such as ABB, KUKA, Siasun, Unitree Robotics, Beijing Suruijie, CITIC Heavy Industries, and the National Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Agricultural Equipment. He exchanged views with the heads of relevant units and inquired in detail about product performance, technological levels, and especially application scenarios. Li Qiang stated that robots represent the comprehensive integration of various modern technologies, incorporating new technologies and industries such as artificial intelligence, new materials, and bionic engineering, and are an important indicator of scientific and technological innovation and high-end manufacturing levels. We must, in response to the demands of industrial transformation and consumption upgrading, target international cutting-edge progress, promote robot technological innovation, continuously strengthen basic research and core technology breakthroughs, support the construction of innovation carriers, strengthen the training and introduction of relevant disciplinary talents, and accelerate innovation breakthroughs in high-end complete machines, key components, and process software, so as to provide strong technical support for the high-quality development of China's robotics industry. Li Qiang emphasized that the vitality of science and technology lies in its application. The robotics industry has broad prospects and huge market potential, and is integrating into human production and life with unprecedented breadth and depth. We must give full play to China's advantages of a super-large market size and rich application scenarios, incorporate robot development into policy support such as digital transformation, intelligent manufacturing pilot demonstrations, and large-scale equipment renewal, strengthen application verification, strengthen the construction of standard systems, and accelerate the expansion and popularization of robots in various fields such as industry, agriculture, service industries, and special environments. We must increase institutional supply, guide venture capital to actively participate, cultivate more "unicorn" enterprises and specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative "little giant" enterprises in the robotics field, and build advantageous and characteristic industrial clusters. Li Qiang pointed out that promoting robot development requires strengthening international cooperation. We must strive to create an open innovation ecosystem, support foreign-funded enterprises and R&D institutions to invest and operate in China, and continue to deeply cultivate the Chinese market. We must build and make good use of platforms for exchange and cooperation in the robotics industry, maintain the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, and better promote global robot technological innovation and industrial development. Wu Zhenglong accompanied the visit.
Authoritative Interview: Improving Socialist Rule of Law System with Chinese Characteristics to Ensure Long-Term National Stability
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made arrangements for improving the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national security system and capabilities. On the new journey, how can we accelerate the modernization of political and legal work to better support and serve Chinese modernization? Let's hear from Yin Bai, Secretary-General of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, in an exclusive interview with a CCTV reporter. Yin Bai stated that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, political and legal organs have adhered to the Party's absolute leadership over political and legal work, promoting historic changes, systemic restructuring, and holistic reorganization of the political and legal system and working mechanisms. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee proposed that the rule of law is an important guarantee for Chinese modernization. On the new journey, political and legal organs should better leverage the fundamental, stabilizing, and long-term guaranteeing role of the rule of law to provide a solid legal guarantee for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. Yin Bai stated that political and legal organs must comprehensively implement the holistic approach to national security, promote the improvement of national security systems and mechanisms, and effectively ensure long-term peace and stability of the country. The plenum proposed that high-quality development is the primary task of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. Yin Bai stated that political and legal organs are an important force serving and guaranteeing economic and social development, and must adhere to serving the central task and the overall situation, promoting high-quality development with high-level rule of law and high-level security.
On the Fields of Hope: Multiple Measures Strengthen Foundation for Stable Autumn Grain Production
It is now a crucial period for the formation of autumn grain yields, and various regions are taking multiple measures to consolidate the foundation for stable autumn grain production. In Henan, over 76 million mu of autumn grain has entered the critical period of grain filling and yield formation. Utilizing agricultural new technologies such as IoT monitoring systems and carrying out pest and disease prevention and control to promote an increase in autumn grain yield per unit area is one of the important means for Henan to ensure stable autumn grain production this year. In the 5G high-standard farmland demonstration zone in Xiangcheng, Zhoukou, Henan, reporters saw that small and micro agricultural meteorological stations, major disease detection instruments, and other monitoring equipment distributed in the fields are uploading collected data in real-time to the smart platform, generating "prescription maps." Local authorities organized over 100 technicians to guide farmers in autumn grain field management based on these "prescription maps." As the agricultural observation network becomes denser, autumn grain production becomes smarter. In Yingquan, Anhui, agricultural and rural departments are using big data, cloud computing, and other technologies to guide farmers to cool down rice by methods such as daytime irrigation and nighttime drainage to promote growth. Agricultural technicians in Changxing, Zhejiang, are carrying out drone spraying operations based on the latest pest and disease intelligence. Taizhou, Jiangsu, is using the latest model of intelligent monitoring stations this year, allowing agricultural technicians to grasp various data on rice pests and diseases at the first time and guide farmers to carry out pest control at the optimal time. In this year's autumn grain production, various regions are also working on green production. Heilongjiang is exploring three-dimensional farming models. At the Beidahuang 856 Farm, the area for ecological three-dimensional farming such as duck-rice and crab-rice is nearly 30,000 mu this year, which can increase the economic income of growers by 80 to 120 yuan per mu on average. Hebei Province has built 180,000 mu of high-standard farmland on saline-alkali land. Through measures such as sprinkler irrigation, seepage irrigation, plot remediation, and soil improvement, the salt content of saline-alkali land has been reduced to one to two per thousand, and production capacity has increased by 30%.
Green Consumption Becomes Trend, Driving Transformation and Upgrading of Production and Lifestyle
Since the beginning of this year, with the optimization and enrichment of market supply for green products, China's green consumption has shown rapid growth, promoting the transformation and upgrading of production and lifestyles. Recently, the state has intensified a new round of consumer goods trade-ins, offering higher subsidy standards for more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient products. Consumers who purchase home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines with energy and water efficiency standards of Level 1 or above will receive a 20% subsidy on the final sales price; for products with Level 2 energy and water efficiency standards, a 15% subsidy on the final sales price will be given; and the subsidy for purchasing new energy vehicles after scrapping old ones has been increased to 20,000 yuan. These latest measures have effectively unleashed market potential. In Hubei, which was among the first to implement the new subsidy standards, over 110,000 home appliances with Level 2 or higher energy efficiency have been sold since August 10, driving sales of 635 million yuan. The strong sales of energy-efficient products are prompting accelerated iteration and upgrading on the production side. In Qingdao, Shandong, a newly developed Level 1 energy-efficient refrigerator is being produced at an accelerated pace. Because some components use renewable and environmentally friendly materials, each refrigerator can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 0.37 tons per year. Driven by the trade-in policy, sales orders for this category have recently increased by 40%. The expansion and upgrading of green consumption continue to stimulate market vitality. The latest data shows that from January to July, the retail sales growth rate of high-energy-efficiency home appliances by enterprises above designated size was close to double digits, and sales of green building materials and green packaging products increased significantly. In July, retail sales of new energy vehicles increased by 36.9% year-on-year, with market penetration exceeding 50%.
Diverse Summer Cultural and Tourism Activities Across Regions
During this period, cultural and tourism activities across various regions have been rich and colorful, with new products and new formats continuously emerging, boosting the market and consumption, and enriching people's travel experiences. This summer, people are embracing nature and embarking on journeys to poetry and distant places. At Qinghai's Chaka Salt Lake, the dreamlike natural scenery has attracted a large number of tourists. The scenic area has introduced special experience programs such as "Encountering Salt Sculptures" and has added 27 new check-in spots. This summer, Chaka Salt Lake has received 2.1 million tourists. In Libo Xiaoqikong, Guizhou, since August, the average daily number of tourists has exceeded 60,000. "Treading on Waterfalls and Playing in Water," suitable for parent-child activities, "Transparent Boats," perfect for photo opportunities, and "Waterfall Abseiling," ideal for self-challenge, have all become popular tourist attractions. This summer, people are visiting various cultural venues to experience the unique charm of cultural tourism. Visiting art exhibitions in Shanghai has become a fashionable way to vacation. This month, dozens of art exhibitions are simultaneously presented in Shanghai, giving rise to new ways of enjoying exhibitions. At the Powerlong Museum, the "Dreamland: Technology Art Interactive Exhibition" takes visitors into a diverse space full of fantasy. In Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, a series of distinctive museums such as the Qingbai Porcelain Museum and the Linglong Museum have met the diverse and personalized cultural needs of tourists. In Dunhuang, Gansu, visitors can not only visit the Mogao Grottoes in person but also appreciate murals from a near-macro perspective and explore cave details in 360 degrees through the newly created "Journey to Dunhuang" digital exhibition hall. To accommodate the huge flow of tourists during the peak summer season, local cultural and tourism departments have launched "summer-limited" cultural and tourism feasts and preferential measures. In Heilongjiang, with the booming summer tourism in Mohe, flights from Harbin to Mohe have increased from 24 to 33 per week, and passenger trains have also increased from 3 pairs to 6 pairs daily. The Arctic Village has launched new scenes and content this summer, such as the "Mohe Gift" cultural and creative center and the Ewenki Reindeer Tribe ethnic travel photography. Shanxi, in conjunction with cultural hot spots, has released 3 themed routes, taking tourists to experience the magnificent beauty of Shanxi's ancient architecture.
National Disability Prevention Day: Preventing Disease-Related Disabilities, Sharing Healthy Lives
Today (August 25) marks China's eighth Disability Prevention Day, with this year's theme being "Preventing Disability Caused by Disease, Sharing a Healthy Life." The China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and other seven departments recently jointly launched an action to promote care for children with autism. The plan aims to improve the service capacity and guarantee conditions for the full development of children with autism within approximately five years, effectively improving the growth and development environment for children with autism. Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in disability prevention and rehabilitation for people with disabilities in the two regions, and launched a public welfare project to care for children with disabilities, which will help no fewer than 1,000 disadvantaged families of children with disabilities in Sichuan and Chongqing annually. Guangdong, Anhui, and other regions are showcasing innovative assistive devices to help people with disabilities understand how cutting-edge technology can assist in rehabilitation and daily life. Hunan, Shandong, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Hebei, and other regions are conducting lectures and free clinic activities to raise public awareness of disability prevention.
Regions Actively Respond to Heavy Rainfall and High Temperatures
Starting yesterday (August 24), a new round of heavy rainfall has affected parts of Northwest China, North China, and the Yellow River-Huaihe River region. The Central Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow alert for heavy rain today. Meanwhile, high temperatures are still persisting in some southern regions, and various localities are actively responding to the hot weather with multiple measures. From yesterday to today, heavy rainfall occurred in some parts of Northwest China. Ningxia experienced heavy downpours in many areas, with local areas in Yinchuan having a maximum 24-hour rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters, causing waterlogging on multiple road sections. Municipal, fire, traffic police, and other relevant departments worked overnight to pump out water from heavily waterlogged sections to ensure safe travel for citizens. Jinchang, Wuwei, and other areas in Gansu were hit by heavy rainfall, and local authorities issued a red alert for heavy rain. In Jinchang urban area, some road sections were severely waterlogged, trapping vehicles. Relevant departments mobilized engineering vehicles and other equipment to rescue and evacuate trapped vehicles and personnel and direct traffic. This morning, Tianjin ushered in a new round of rainfall. Local flood control departments activated an emergency response, reminding people to take precautions. Over the next two days, parts of southern Beijing, Tianjin, and central and southern Hebei will continue to experience heavy to torrential rain and strong convective weather. Today, the Ministry of Water Resources initiated a Level IV emergency response for flood defense in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia provinces, and dispatched an additional work group to Ningxia to assist and guide flood defense efforts. High temperatures persist in some southern regions. Today, Chongqing issued a red alert for high temperatures for the fifth consecutive day, and the forest fire prevention and control situation is complex and severe. More than 20 districts and counties have issued forest fire bans and mountain closure orders, with staff from relevant units on duty and patrolling in shifts. Chengdu, Sichuan, issued a red alert for high temperatures for four consecutive days, with temperatures reaching above 40℃. Local authorities have opened air-raid shelters and care stations to provide shelter and rest for outdoor workers.
Domestic News Briefs
The "Forging a Strong Community, All Chinese One Family" thematic publicity campaign "Guangxi's New Look" concentrated interview was launched. Jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the Central Committee, the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee, and the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, the "Forging a Strong Community, All Chinese One Family" thematic publicity campaign's "Guangxi's New Look" concentrated interview recently kicked off in Guangxi. Various media outlets will go deep into the grassroots to conduct investigations. The focus will be on the integrated development of various ethnic groups in Guangxi and the remarkable achievements made in reform and opening up, rural revitalization, etc., fully demonstrating the beauty of ethnic unity and social harmony in Guangxi. Shenzhou-18 Crew in Orbit for Four Months, Multiple Experiments Underway. Today (August 25), Shenzhou-18 astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu have been in orbit for four months. Recently, they have carried out in-orbit experiments and tests on projects such as emergency decision-making capability research, eye-hand coordination tests, and muscle adaptability experiments. Currently, the three astronauts are in good physical and mental condition, and various space science experiments and tests are proceeding in an orderly manner. Cross-border E-commerce Imports and Exports Reach 1.22 Trillion Yuan in First Half of the Year. The latest data from the General Administration of Customs shows that in the first half of this year, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reached 1.22 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.5%. Currently, the number of cross-border e-commerce enterprises in China exceeds 120,000, and cross-border e-commerce enterprises have cumulatively registered over 30,000 trademarks overseas. Cross-border e-commerce has become a new driving force for China's foreign trade development and a new track for transformation and upgrading. Foreign Capital Net Increases Holdings of Domestic Bonds by 20 Billion USD in July. Data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange shows that in July, foreign capital net increased its holdings of domestic bonds by 20 billion USD, a month-on-month increase of 1.4 times. Overseas investors' enthusiasm for allocating RMB assets remains high. Garrison in Hong Kong Organizes 27th Unit Rotation. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong today (August 25) organized its 27th unit rotation. The Army units participating in the rotation, organized into echelons, traveled by motorization from their Shenzhen station, passing through the Shenzhen Huanggang Port and Hong Kong Lok Ma Chau Port to the barracks in Hong Kong. The Navy and Air Force units of the Garrison in Hong Kong will sequentially carry out unit rotations as planned and hold defense handover ceremonies. Dongjin Yellow River Bridge Closed. Today (August 25), the Dongjin Yellow River Bridge in Shandong was successfully closed. The bridge connects Dongying urban area and Lijin County and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. After opening to traffic, it will further optimize the Yellow River Delta transportation network. Wujiayuan Tunnel of Xi'an-Yan'an High-Speed Railway Completed. Today (August 25), the Wujiayuan Tunnel of the Xi'an-Yan'an High-Speed Railway was successfully completed, laying the foundation for subsequent ballastless track construction. The Xi'an-Yan'an High-Speed Railway is the first high-speed railway in the old revolutionary base area of northern Shaanxi, with a total length of 299.8 kilometers. After completion and operation, the railway travel time from Xi'an to Yan'an will be shortened from the current two and a half hours to about 1 hour. "Homes in Mountains and Rivers" Season 3 Premieres Tonight on CCTV-1. The large-scale cultural and tourism exploration program "Homes in Mountains and Rivers" Season 3, jointly produced by China Media Group and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will premiere tonight (August 25) at 8 PM on CCTV-1. This season will continue to take viewers on an immersive experience of rural production and life, documenting the magnificent picture of rural revitalization. The program will also be broadcast simultaneously online on CCTV.com and CCTV App.
Hezbollah Announces Large-Scale Attack on Israel; Israel Claims Preemptive Strikes on Lebanese Targets
Hezbollah in Lebanon announced today (August 25) that in retaliation for Israel's assassination of senior military commander Shukr, Hezbollah has launched a large-scale attack on Israel, firing over 300 rockets and numerous drones today, striking 11 military targets in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The first phase of the attack has been successful. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced today that Israel is entering a 48-hour state of emergency nationwide. The Israeli Defense Forces stated today that they had intelligence about Hezbollah's large-scale attack on Israel and subsequently launched "preemptive" strikes on targets in Lebanon to "eliminate the threat." The Israeli military claimed to have dispatched approximately 100 aircraft, carrying out airstrikes on thousands of rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah in Lebanon subsequently denied the Israeli military's claim of launching "preemptive" strikes against the Lebanese side. Lebanon also stated today that several villages and towns in southern Lebanon were attacked by Israel, resulting in 3 deaths.
Russia, Ukraine Exchange Detained Personnel
Russia and Ukraine exchanged detainees on the 24th, with each side handing over 115 people. Russia claims advantageous positions in Donetsk, Ukraine claims to have repelled multiple Russian attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 24th that Russian forces engaged Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv Oblast and other areas, gained advantageous positions in parts of Donetsk, and destroyed Ukrainian air defense missile launchers, drone production workshops, and other targets. The Ukrainian side stated on the same day that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and other areas, struck Russian personnel and equipment concentration areas, and destroyed Russian command posts and other targets. Russia claims to have repelled Ukrainian attacks in Kursk, Ukraine claims a complex situation in Kursk. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated on the 24th that it repelled multiple Ukrainian attacks in Russia's Kursk Oblast on that day, destroying Ukrainian tanks, counter-battery radars, and other equipment. The Ukrainian side stated that the situation in Kursk is currently complex for Ukraine, but operations are still proceeding as planned.
International News Briefs
Iran says it will respond to Israel at the right time. According to Iranian media reports on the 24th, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated in an interview that Iran's response to Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh will be "carefully calculated and managed" and will not fall into the trap set by the enemy. He said that Iran's response will be carried out at the right time and in the right way. German officials say Solingen attack suspect surrendered. Reul, Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, confirmed on the 24th that the suspect in the stabbing attack in Solingen on the evening of the 23rd has surrendered to the police. German prosecutors stated that the motive for the crime is currently under investigation, and a terrorist attack cannot be ruled out. According to several German media reports, the extremist organization "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for the attack on the 24th. However, the reports stated that there is currently no evidence to support the extremist organization's claim. A stabbing attack occurred at Solingen's 650th-anniversary celebration on the evening of the 23rd, killing 3 people and injuring 8. Sudanese armed factions continue to clash in multiple locations. On the 24th, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued to clash in various areas, including the capital Khartoum and its surrounding three cities of Omdurman and North Khartoum, which form the capital region. The new round of ceasefire talks for the Sudanese armed conflict, attended by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces and mediators, concluded in Geneva on the 23rd without substantial progress. Burhan, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stated on the 24th that he would not attend the talks in Geneva. Large fires in southeastern Brazil, over 30 cities on high alert. Wildfires have ravaged São Paulo state in southeastern Brazil recently. As of the 24th, the fires have killed 2 people. According to media reports, over 30 cities in the state are on high alert, with thick smoke shrouding some towns. Due to the fires, road visibility has decreased, and more than a dozen highways have been completely or partially closed to traffic. Local governments have issued announcements, reminding residents to be aware of health risks and avoid going outdoors. Brazilian meteorologists stated that the intensity of fires has increased during this year's fire season.