Chinese animated show Zhanshen debuted on Chinese streaming platforms on July 31. Two days later, the first episode had received over 100,000 likes on TikTok, with numerous discussions in various languages such as English, Thai, Indonesian and Russian. They were mainly two questions: "Where can I watch this new animation?" and "What is the name of this animation?"
Long and difficult to understand, Chinese names are often the first threshold foreigners must overcome to appreciate Chinese animation.
It is not a big problem as foreign followers can always reach an agreement on "what name" to call a work before the official English name is released. In this case they have settled on Battle through the Heavens, which is easier to remember and becomes a key to unlock the code of Chinese culture.
Together with #C-dramas, hashtags used by overseas followers like #donghua (cartoons), #xianxia (Lit: immortal heroes) and #Chinatravel are trending on overseas social media and video platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Under them, millions of short videos and billions of views and likes prove that online novels, streaming dramas and animated works are becoming China's name card in the era of digital culture. As of August 1, the "C-drama" hashtag has about 1.8 million works on TikTok. If other entries such as "Chinesedrama" or "dramachina" are added, the total number of works exceeds 4 million.
Outside the English-speaking world, Chinese TV series have also gained a large number of fans. Vietnamese, Thai, Russian and other users not only learn about and discuss their favorite Chinese dramas in English, but also create introductions in their own languages. Besides this, they also voluntarily translate hit TV series into multiple languages.
Thanks to them, donghua, manhua (Chinese comics), xianxia, and wuxia (martial heroes) have turned into hashtags, sparking interests among more and more Gen Zers globally.
Quite different from the way Japan and South Korea's culture has expanded overseas, Chinese online novels, animations and streaming dramas' popularity overseas has been developing based on traditional Chinese culture right from the very beginning.
"Wuxia" and "xianxia" first became hits because these works inherit the style of ancient Chinese fantasy novels and martial arts novels, and incorporate Taoist culture while being full of fantasy elements and descriptions of love, friendship, and faith. In terms of visual presentation, from background drawing to character modeling, they also clearly highlight Chinese landscapes, ink techniques, East Asian looks and China's traditional clothing. Such cultural barriers have not blocked hardcore fans. Instead, they have discussions and recommend works to each other.
The world of xianxia opened by the cooperation of online literature and animation is full of not only unique cultural accumulation and magnificent imagination, but also unique visuals. Different from 2D animated movies in Japan, most Chinese tales and comics are produced in 3D.
Overseas fans can be regarded as an unexpected gain for China's cultural industry. Although China's major streaming sites have overseas platforms, most content, including streaming dramas and animated works, are not released overseas until they have finished their domestic runs.
Different from Japan and South Korea's strategy of creating content based on overseas culture, creators in China are encouraged to produce specialty content inspired by China's fine traditional culture.
The success of China's culture industry comes from the clustered industry model and "team battle" strategy when it comes to using IP. Many tech giants like Tencent have different major business sectors, ranging from online literature to film and television, animation and e-sports. After a category or IP makes a breakthrough, companies can quickly react to enlarge the IPs influence and establish a better reputation.
Overseas fans have also gradually become accustomed to the concept of having a single IP extend across novels, animation and streaming dramas. With this in mind, they actively look for more Chinese cultural works.
As more and more travelers visit China, many become more curious about Chinese culture. It seems that the hashtag #Chinatravel has added its magic to introducing the charm of Chinese culture. The unexpected overseas success of Chinese online novels, streaming series and animation reveals the unique charm of Chinese culture, expression and lifestyle.
When it comes to Chinese cuisine, a large number of dishes are celebrated as delicacies, but a few are often regarded as "weird" by foreigners who have never tried. Among the most typical examples is the century egg, or pidan in Chinese. In 2018, the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmö, Sweden, surprisingly featured century eggs in its exhibit of the world's most "disgusting" foods.
But why are foods like century eggs, chicken feet, and animal offal, which are everyday delicacies in China, considered unpalatable by foreigners?
The answer lies in cultural differences and varying dietary preferences.
Traditionally, in China, a signifi cant cultural value is placed on the appreciation for diverse and unique flavors. However, many foreigners are unfamiliar with many of the foods on offer in China and hold different taste preferences.
But in recent years, an increasing number of foreign visitors and gourmets have initiated to try the new tastes they couldn't find easily in their home country. A timeless delicacy
Century eggs, also known as preserved eggs, are a beloved staple in Chinese cuisine with a history spanning centuries. It is said that during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) period, the owner of a tea house accidentally discovered that duck eggs buried in ash mixed with tea leaves had a unique aroma and a fresh, smooth texture.
Later, not only duck eggs but also chicken eggs, goose eggs, and others started being made into century eggs. Typically, century eggs made from chicken eggs are yellow and translucent, while those made from duck eggs are dark green and more common.
Although pidan is referred to as a century egg or even a "thousand-year egg" in English, it doesn't actually take that long to make. The process typically takes just a few days or up to about a month.
Made through a traditional process of curing fresh eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls, the eggs undergo a chemical transformation that turns the egg white into a dark, translucent jelly and the yolk into a creamy paste.
The distinctive appearance and intense aroma of century eggs are cherished in China. The eggs are often served in porridge, as a cold appetizer, or even as a topping for other dishes. In some regions, it is also enjoyed on its own.
On Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, some videos show foreigners reacting to pidan, and many seem to dislike it.
Despite its divisive reputation, century eggs continue to attract curious eaters from all over the world. In June 2024, KFC China even launched a century egg tart, blending traditional flavors with modern fast food. A gastronomic icon
Another Chinese delicacy that baffles many Westerners is chicken feet, or feng zhao. Commonly served as a snack or in dim sum, chicken feet can be marinated, fried, steamed or boiled, resulting in a chewy texture.
At night markets all over China, chicken feet are usually an essential delicacy, while in Guangdong Province and other areas of southern China, chicken feet are also served as a breakfast item.
Sometimes the bones are specifically removed from chicken feet to make them easier to eat.
According to data from iiMedia Research, the online market for boneless chicken feet in China reached 4.98 billion yuan ($698.3 million) in 2023, and the market is projected to grow to 7.76 billion yuan by 2028, with the vast majority of consumers belonging to the younger generations, buyers under 44 years old account for 93.59% of the market.
Despite their popularity in China, chicken feet face significant resistance in Western countries due to health concerns, their appearance, and the unfamiliar eating experience.
Two American students visiting East China's Jiangsu Province earlier this month told the Global Times that they tried the chicken feet during their travel, describing them as "surprisingly good," and admitting that they "really liked them."
A culinary feast
Beyond century eggs and chicken feet, Chinese cuisine also embraces a wide range of animal offal, including organs like liver, kidney, and intestines. Dishes like luzhu in Beijing, made from pork head meat and pork offal, and fuqi feipian, a spicy Sichuan dish made from beef heart, tongue, and tripe, showcase the Chinese penchant for using every part of the animal.
Additionally, many parts of China use pork intestines to make Chinese sausage and in the southwestern regions, particularly in Sichuan and Chongqing, intestines are a key ingredient in many spicy dishes.
Mao xue wang, a famous Sichuan dish, features duck blood, beef tripe, and pork intestines cooked in a numbing and spicy broth made with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers. Another popular dish is a noodle dish topped with stir-fried pig intestines and tofu, known for its bold flavors and chewy texture.
In addition to animal offal, traditional Chinese cuisine offers other examples of strong-flavored delicacies, one of the most well-known being stinky tofu. As the name suggests, stinky tofu is known for its pungent odor, which results from the fermentation process. While the smell can be off-putting, the flavor is beloved by many Chinese diners.
As global food cultures increasingly blend, an interest in traditional Chinese dishes is also growing. While some may never fully embrace century eggs or stinky tofu, a rising number of adventurous eaters are challenging their palates to experience the rich diversity of Chinese cuisine.
How can art and culture from the past survive in a globalized world? Inheriting the treasure of art and culture from the past thousands of years, young Chinese have created a new trend - Guochao, or China chic. It refers to a movement started by an increasing number of young people who are endeavoring to revive and reinvent China's traditional culture.
We can see fashion designers drawing inspirations from the precious murals inside the Yungang Grottoes, and traditional instrument players creating all new trendy music on pipa. These young Guochao trendsetters have helped China's cultural legacies be passed down and preserved for future generations.
In this series, we will interview young people who are using wisdom and creativity to reinterpret traditional Chinese culture in their particular field of expertise. This time, Global Times reporters Sun Langchen and Li Hang focused on two young women's efforts to revive the timeless crafts. From vibrant Chaozhou crochet revival to the timeless elegance of qipao, a close-fitting woman's dress with high neck and slit skirt, traditional crafts are finding new life and global appreciation. Combining tradition with modern design
As crochet hooks rhythmically traverse yarn, vibrant and lifelike patterns emerge, showcasing the traditional Chaozhou crochet technique. This unique art form, known for its intricate lacework, has been a staple in Chaozhou, South China's Guangdong Province, for generations.
Chaozhou crochet is a traditional craft from the Chaoshan region. Using just a single crochet hook and three basic techniques, intricate patterns can be woven. Known for its flexibility and convenience, with no limitations on where it can be practiced, crocheting became a popular way for many women in Chaozhou to supplement their household income during the 1980s and 1990s. In 2014, Chaozhou embroidery was included as part of the fourth batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage listings.
Huang Jiayu is a native of Chaozhou born in 1990. She grew up surrounded by women skilled in crochet. According to Huang, during the off-season for farming, local villagers would fulfill orders, with much of their handcrafted lace exported overseas, supplementing their income.
Huang's father opened a crochet factory, and her childhood was filled with memories of aunts working on orders at home.
"Some items with bright red and green colors were destined for Africa; the vividly colored bikinis mostly went to Europe and America; orders from Japan tended to be more nature-inspired, with lower color saturation," Huang said.
However, upon graduating from university in 2014, Huang discovered that the family business was on the brink of bankruptcy, as machinery had begun to overshadow traditional craftsmanship.
"It would have been a real pity if my parents had to close their crochet factory. The ladies working there would have lost their jobs, and their families also rely on that income," Huang recalled.
Determined to preserve this traditional art form, she began to sell her crochet designs while traveling in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. To her surprise, her creations quickly gained the favor of young people.
Returning to Chaozhou a year later, Huang rallied the local crochet aunties to form the "Crochet Team," combining their skills to innovate and rejuvenate the craft. The average age of the team members is about 50 years old.
"The aunties are very familiar with these traditional crafts, but they haven't independently designed any products. They tend to have more traditional ways of thinking, so it takes longer to refine products to fit the current market. Our ways of thinking are different," Huang said.
Take a smiley face, for instance: They think a mouth that curves downward or outward is basically the same. But in reality, the specific expression of an emoji can give people very different impressions, she noted.
Huang's vision is to break away from conventional designs and introduce vibrant, three-dimensional elements to her creations.
"Traditional crochet designs often seemed outdated in contemporary fashion," Huang said. "Combining diverse, modern designs with traditional techniques is crucial to stay relevant today."
Huang draws much of the inspiration for her work from life. When she encounters something she likes or a captivating color combination, she consciously incorporates it into her crochet designs.
Bikinis, earrings, backpacks… Huang is well-versed in crochet products. With spring approaching, she has designed the "Spring Bloom" series, featuring earrings inspired by canola flowers, angelica flowers, and goji berries to add a touch of spring vitality for youthful girls.
After watching a documentary about the ocean, she was inspired to create the "Coral Reef" series, using colors derived from underwater fish and seawater to bring a refreshing coolness. The "International Women's Day" series, characterized by square shapes and orange tones, encourages everyone to break free from conventions and be true to themselves. These refreshing crochet products, sold online across the country, are particularly popular among young customers.
While they were initially skeptical about whether Yang's designs would catch on or generate sales, the thriving online store business proves that their choice was the right one.
Huang also includes a signed card from the maker with each product, creating a personal connection between customers and creators.
She frequently shares customer's reviews and comments with the aunties, allowing them to enjoy the feedback and share in the customers' appreciation and joy.
In June, an exhibition featuring works by Huang and her team was held in Shanghai. Among the items was a vividly colored, fully hand-crocheted dragon that drew gasps of awe from many visitors.
"I love witnessing the connections between people through art that combines traditional symbols with fresh, modern forms. The first expression of amazement when people see the works is always the same," she told the Global Times. Revising cultural appropriation
Heather Guo, a 23-year-old entrepreneur, is making a significant impact on the appreciation of traditional Chinese fashion through her boutique, the Xiangjiang Silk Company, located in Manhattan's West Village in New York City. Named after Hong Kong's alternate name, Xiangjiang, the store is dedicated to preserving and celebrating qipao, a traditional dress that takes inspiration from the ethnic clothing of the Manchu people.
Guo's journey into the world of qipao began serendipitously when she encountered a collection of vintage qipao in a New York gift shop. These garments, relics of Hong Kong's golden era of fashion, were woven from silk and adorned with intricate patterns.
"They were densely woven, often featuring intricate patterns," Guo told the Global Times.
As more and more people grew interested in qipao, she gained a passion for preserving and celebrating it.
The history of qipao is a tapestry of cultural evolution and craftsmanship. It traces its origins back to the traditional attire of the Manchu ethnic group, who ruled China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Qipao was originally designed for men. In the 1920s, as feminist consciousness rose, Chinese women embraced qipao, transforming it into a form-fitting, figure-flattering dress.
However, it may be surprising that over time, this trend became Westernized and continuously intersected with Western fashion trends.
"It is distinctly Chinese, yet it has not developed in isolation, as it has always drawn from foreign clothing trends. China and other countries have always maintained cultural exchanges," Guo noted.
It is also worth noting that despite this historical background, qipao's role as a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage has often been misunderstood or appropriated in popular Western culture. Even now, some may acknowledge that it has been commercialized as part of the "Eastern dream," a trend that sometimes overlooks its cultural roots and significance.
Some may even think that qipao has the same origin as the kimono, a traditional item of clothing from Japan.
Many foreign interpretations of the qipao reduce it to mere exoticism, failing to recognize the depth of its historical and cultural context.
"You can only embrace a culture when you really understand it," Guo said, noting this kind of foreign interpretation is "cultural appropriation."
Guo's dedication to preserving the authenticity of the qipao is evident in her approach to both vintage and contemporary designs. At Xiangjiang, she refuses to alter vintage dresses, honoring them as perfect representations of past wisdom and style.
"Each vintage qipao in our store is unique, reflecting the personal choices of its original owner," she emphasized.
Her commitment also extends to creating new qipao designs that respect traditional techniques while integrating modern fashion concepts for greater comfort and inclusivity.
Guo's improvements include replacing the wide and very visible iron zippers with modern invisible zippers. Some complex and difficult-to-wear styles, like the shoulder-opening qipao, were hard to fasten and wear, and people were unwilling to wear such inconvenient clothing, so there was no need to keep these complicated designs.
However, "The New Chinese style must originate from the Old Chinese style, without the Old Chinese style, the New Chinese style is like water without a source," she noted.
The fabrics Guo chooses to use still adhere to the framework of the 1950s and 1960s, avoiding overly modern materials. The workshop, staffed by four tailors, produces around 150 dresses per month using high-quality silk from Hangzhou.
By introducing vintage qipao while designing new qipao, Guo highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural background of traditional garments through education.
A lack of understanding often leads to the superficial use of traditional elements without genuine appreciation, which she has encountered in her sales experience.
Once a seller from New York received vintage qipao dresses from a Chinese lady who had given them to the seller's granddaughter. The way she sold them caused a heated dispute to erupt between her and her granddaughter.
"The granddaughter told me the seller just labeled it a 'simple Chinese dress' and sold it without her permission," Guo said. "It's of course not just a simple Chinese dress, even her granddaughter knew that."
One significant acquisition for Guo's store was a collection of qipao dresses from a diplomat's wardrobe.
These garments, initially sold off without regard for their cultural value, highlighted the need for deeper respect and understanding.
At Xiangjiang, Guo also creates an immersive experience that connects visitors with the rich history and craftsmanship of these garments. Her boutique features vintage items and decor that evoke a sense of nostalgia and cultural appreciation, making each visit a journey through time and tradition.
Now Guo has opened a store in Shanghai, her hometown, for qipao fans in China who'd also like to gather one of these precious pieces of culture. Looking ahead, Guo intends to open a new store in London, the UK and increase cultural outreach to others about the true essence of qipao.
"I want to continue to share the beauty and significance of qipao as a symbol of Chinese culture and heritage," she said.
The Palace Museum in Beijing is fighting ticket scalping in order to provide an orderly visit experience for tourists, as it recently disclosed that during some peak hours of visit, 99 percent of ticket buyers turned out to be ticket scalpers.
This UNESCO World Heritage site revealed to the public its anti-scalping measures and its back-end system to ensure fair chance of acquiring a ticket for the first time.
In response to the overwhelming demand, the Palace Museum plans to maintain reception capacity at 40,000 people on weekdays, the number of tickets will be increased by about 25 percent to improve accessibility for visitors during the summer.
This initiative, announced by the museum's Information Technology Department, aims to enhance accessibility during the busy summer months and will be extended to future peak periods, such as the National Day and May Day holidays.
Additionally, the museum will continue to offer free admission to underprivileged groups, including minors, people with disabilities, active military personnel, and firefighters, ensuring these communities have access to the attraction.
With the summer vacation season in full swing, Chinese families nationwide are eager to explore the country's top cultural landmarks.
However, many travelers are struggling to secure tickets to the Palace Museum. Recent reports indicate that scalpers have been reselling tickets for as much as 1,100 yuan ($154), with some walk-in reservations skyrocketing to 1,600 yuan.
In stark contrast, tickets sold through the museum's official booking system are priced at just 60 yuan for the summer season.
To uphold fairness and protect consumer rights, the Palace Museum is implementing measures to isolate ticket inventory for travel agencies and individual visitors, thus preventing travel agencies from monopolizing tickets intended for the general public.
A timed ticket release strategy will also be introduced to further combat automated ticket grabs, allowing tickets to be sold in batches at fixed intervals during high-demand periods.
To thwart scalpers, the museum's risk control engine operates at high speed every day. During the summer season, over 99 percent of ticket requests come in within a single peak hour.
Market authorities have made it clear that using software to quickly purchase tickets for resale is a criminal offense, and emphasized their commitment to ongoing efforts to ensure fair access for all museum visitors.
Chinese soccer fans have taken to social media to express their gratitude to Singapore's goalkeeper for preventing Thailand's landslide victory, and thus keeping China's World Cup hopes alive by the narrowest of margins.
China managed to advance to the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup despite a 1-0 loss to South Korea.
Thailand, who finished the group with the same number of points and goal difference as China, missed out the next stage with an inferior head-to-head record.
Having to beat bottom side Singapore by three goals to edge past China into second place in Group C, Thailand could only win 3-1 at home as Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny's performances helped China squeeze into the third qualification round.
Singaporean forward Ikhsan Fandi's equalizer in the second half put the Thais on the brink and 40-year-old Sunny pulled together 11 saves in the game, preventing Thailand from scoring more goals. During the stoppage time, he even received a yellow card in the 95th minute for time-wasting.
After the game, Sunny's personal social media account has been inundated with thank-you messages from Chinese fans. The goalie runs a stall selling Malaysian coconut milk rice in Singapore. Some Chinese fans posted the pictures and address of Sunny's stall, calling for Chinese tourists to visit the stall and give it a "five-star review." His stall was flooded with visitors on Wednesday.
Some netizens reportedly posted the payment QR code of Sunny's stall online and made payments to show their support and gratitude.
In response to Chinese fans' gratitude, Sunny said "Thank you, China" during a short video filmed by his teammates after the game. One of his teammates said in the footage that "He saved China."
The social media accounts of the Singaporean Embassy to China and of the Singapore Tourism Board on China's X-like Weibo also received a great deal of thank-you messages from fans.
"Thank you Singapore for your fair play. I would love to travel to Singapore," wrote one Weibo user.
Eighteen teams will be divided into three groups for the third qualifying round in Asia, where the top two teams of each group will secure automatic spots for the 2026 World Cup. Two more teams will earn direct entry to the World Cup from a fourth qualification stage and another will go into intercontinental playoffs for a spot at the global soccer showpiece.
With the lighting of the Olympic flame in Paris on Friday night, the world has officially entered Olympic time. At this very moment, the Chinese delegation has been fully prepared for this grand event.
Chinese athletes are intensively preparing in various locations, from the athletics track to the swimming pool, from the gymnastics hall to the shooting range, with each training venue brimming with the sweat of their hard work.
Table tennis, China's national sport, carries some of the highest expectations of Chinese spectators. This time, veteran Ma Long will serve as the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the Olympics. Ma, also the men's team captain, said that this role has given him great confidence and encouragement.
"Over the years, our predecessors have laid a solid foundation through their efforts, and now the baton has been passed to our generation. I hope to continue this legacy and tell the story of the spirit of Chinese table tennis and the spirit of Chinese sports at the Paris Olympics," Ma told media, according to a report by the Beijing Youth Daily on Thursday.
Ma is aiming for his sixth Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Another highly anticipated team is China's diving team, known as the "Dream Team." On July 21, the Chinese diving team arrived at the Paris Olympic Village. Just a few hours later, the entire team completed their first training session at the aquatic sports center, making their final push.
Chinese gymnastics team departed from Beijing on July 18, starting their journey to the Paris Olympics. In Tokyo three years ago, the Chinese gymnastics team won three individual event gold medals. This time, they aim to defend their titles in their strong events while seeking breakthroughs in team events in Paris.
To better acclimatize for training, the Chinese swimming team arrived in Paris on July 6. The team consists of 31 athletes, including 18 female and 13 male swimmers, featuring Olympic champions such as Zhang Yufei and Ye Shiwen.
The total size of the Chinese sports delegation for the Paris Olympics is 716, including 405 athletes (136 men and 269 women) and 311 officials and support staff. The athletes' average age is 25, with the oldest being 37-year-old race walker Liu Hong and the youngest being 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohui. The delegation includes 42 Olympic champions, and 223 athletes are making their Olympic debut.
In the vibrant atmosphere of the Paris Olympics, while the spotlight shines on the athletes, a group of unsung heroes works tirelessly behind the scenes--the Olympic volunteers.
This year, out of 300,000 applicants, around 45,000 were chosen as volunteers, with 20 percent hailing from approximately 150 countries.
Donning bright green uniforms, these volunteers are easy to spot amid the purple venues. They offer assistance to spectators and media alike, making them a vital part of the Olympic experience.
On my first day at the press center, I encountered a technical glitch with my media system account. Thankfully, Chinese volunteer Guo Xiaofan came to my aid.
"I hope to improve my language, communication skills, and problem-solving methods through this event," said 24-year-old Guo from Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, who is studying wireless communication at the Paris Institute of Digital Technology.
As a former national-level swimmer, Guo saw this as her chance to participate in the Olympics, albeit in a different role.
Another Chinese volunteer, surnamed Yang, faced challenges in balancing her work with volunteer duties. Despite sacrificing her holidays, she felt immense pride in contributing to the event, especially with her parents in attendance.
Volunteers are visible everywhere—from bus stops to competition venues—offering directions and assistance with a smile. When large crowds leave the venues after the events, causing congestion, some volunteers sit on high chairs with loudspeakers, providing directions to the exits in both English and French with a smile.
One of my most memorable encounters was with a French volunteer at the International Broadcasting Center. When I needed help finding the visitor center, a young man on a scooter appeared, like a sort of "Monkey King riding a cloud," and offered to take me there. His enthusiasm for the Olympics was contagious, and after helping me, he eagerly asked for a Beijing Winter Olympics badge, expressing his admiration for the event and his desire to visit China.
These dedicated volunteers, with their energy and commitment, truly embody the spirit of the Olympics, making both the event and the city of Paris shine brighter.
In December 2023, Hongyan Park, Hangzhou's 100 percent zero-carbon Smart Park, was recognized as one of 26 cutting-edge transformational models in the "2023 Corporate Climate Action Case Collection," a joint release by the Publicity and Education Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Avenue Climate Change Promotion Center. What makes a park a model of cutting-edge transformation? What is the significance of the Yuhang 100 percent zero-carbon Smart Park? We visited the site to uncover the key factors of this demonstration project: great success, mutual support, and energy management.
Entrepreneurship and innovation
When I met Lin Jianjun, he was polishing a new product, an AI Smart Ring, a wearable device that can track the body temperature of employees on duty in real time.
Lin Jianjun came to Hangzhou from his hometown in Fujian many years ago to start a business, and was also a pioneer of Hongyan Park. At the age of 40, he had a dream and stepped into the smart chip industry, a high risk field, and created a research company focused on digital intelligence, providing high-end smart chips, modules and AI intelligent application solutions.
The "AI intelligent ring" is one of Lin Jianjun's creations. Another standout product is the passive wireless sensor chip.
In the summer of 2023, at the "Hongyan Plan" launch event, Lin Jianjun encountered Zhou Yannan, an employee of Zhejiang Zhedian Industry Development Co., Ltd., who was drenched with sweat after spending two hours in the 40 degree of hot power distribution room.
Through that fortuitous encounter, Lin learned that more than 80 percent of power failures are caused by component overheating. A possible solution to the problem was a digital twin switch station. "There are thousands of power distribution rooms in Hangzhou, and there is a huge market demand to solve this problem." Lin Jianjun said. “To develop the digital twin switch station, we have to solve two problems, the signal monitoring of the sensor and the transmission of the alarm signal” he explained.
It didn't take long for the first problem to be solved, but the second issue was a bigger challenge due to changes in the materials and shape of different RF signal carriers, which affect RF signal transmission, so it is necessary to constantly simulate signal transmission and design an optimal scheme for RF signals.
"There was no money for high-level engineers." Mr Lin said with a laugh, "At that time, the company was at an impasse," Fortunately, Lin Jianjun later found an antenna engineer from Bei Dou and in six months of hard work, the team produced a chip that was a great success.
Today, this smart temperature sensor chip has been upgraded and has far surpassed industry standards. "Thanks to Zhou Ban, the source of inspiration often strikes in unexpected moments." Lin Jianjun said. Green electricity opens the door to a revival
Zhou Yanan has a lot to say about Hongyan Park. In January 2022, he was appointed as a manager and tasked with creating a 100 percent zero-carbon smart park.
Initially, the transformation from old factories and scrap iron to a modern, eco-friendly park seemed daunting. "At that time, Hongyan Park was forced to close because of environmental problems," Mr Zhou said.
In May 2022, the Yuhang Future Innovation Park Hongyan Park was officially inaugurated. Reborn from a comprehensive upgrade of the old industrial park into a hub of technological advancement and industry talent, the park focuses on the introduction of cutting-edge biodegradable materials, photoelectric energy, low-carbon technology, and high-end medical equipment. At present, more than 40 high-end and sophisticated enterprises have settled in the park.
"With the rapid increase in the number of internal enterprises and the scale of production, the continuous increase of electrical equipment and the rapid increase of electrical load, the original transformer capacity of the park is not enough to meet the demand of enterprises." The director of Hongyan Park explained “This, coupled with the extensive energy management method and the lack of network interaction ability, results in the increase of coal burning and carbon emission while using electricity.”
However, for a zero-carbon park, 30 percent green electricity wasn’t enough. Zhou Yanan’s efforts to engage in green electricity trading and purchase photovoltaic power led to a 100 percent zero-carbon upgrade in 2023, with 2.4 million kWh of green electricity purchased.
In the past three years, Hongyan Park’s electricity consumption increased by 170 percent, yet every new kilowatt hour remained green, thanks to advanced power planning by Zhejiang Da You Group. The introduction of a unique green electricity transaction model created a reserve to meet the park’s growing green energy needs.
To address these challenges, Zhejiang Da You Group has specially established an enterprise energy use account for the park, optimizing energy management, and striving to achieve a 100 percent zero-carbon smart park called Da You Zuo Wei.
Achieving green energy supply in the park is the main reason for the construction of a zero-carbon smart park. Standing in the Future Science and Technology City of Yuhang District, the roof of Hongyan Park is covered with blue photovoltaic panels, generating over 51,600 kWh of green electricity annually, which constitutes more than 30 percent of the park’s energy needs.
However, for Hongyan Park, which aims to build a zero-carbon park, 30 percent of green electricity is obviously not enough. With the help of Zhou Yanan, the park actively participated in green electricity trading, purchased photovoltaic power generators and achieved green energy consumption and zero carbonization within the park. In 2023, the park had purchased 2.4 million KWH of green electricity, achieving a 100 percent zero- carbon -upgrade of the park.
During the last three years, the annual electricity consumption of Hongyan Park has increased by 170 percent, but each new kilowatt hour of electricity in the park consists of green electricity.
Thanks to the advanced power planning of Zhejiang Da You Group for the park, the launch of a unique green consumption electricity transaction is like a pre-built green electricity reservoir which can respond to an increase in demand at any time.
One-click green power control
Efficient energy use is essential for a zero-carbon park. Zhejiang Da You Group developed a low-carbon park management system, allowing real-time monitoring of energy data and optimizing energy use. Ling Feng from Zhejiang Da You Group explained, "The system provides a clear overview of energy usage, helping to manage it effectively."
In 2023, Zhejiang Da You Group integrated power supply with energy efficiency by installing sensors in public areas to improve transformer operation and reduce energy wastage. The system can automatically turn off idle elevators and other energy-consuming equipment, to adjust the energy loads of air conditioning, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, charging piles and public areas during peak periods. By visual displaying the energy flow through the energy flow diagram, it helps users achieve intelligent and efficient energy management, reducing waste and costs" Through digital twin technology, the system can also dynamically sense the operating status of electrical equipment in the park and the future load trend to analyze and issue early warnings," Ling Feng said.
Making full use of green electricity
The journey of Zhejiang Da You Group's zero-carbon park continues. In Hongyan Park, each kilowatt-hour of electricity has played a greater role because of the director system management. For a long time, the internal distribution equipment of the enterprise lacked professional operation and maintenance management as well as a professional power service platform, this resulted in unmet demands for energy.
To address these difficulties, Zhejiang Da You Group launched the Dali Electricity Director project, which provides a platform for online and offline power operation, enhancing energy management and extending equipment life through timely maintenance and repairs.
Nowadays, the Dali Electricity Director is an exclusive power manager of the enterprise, which can not only meet the daily electricity demand of the enterprise, but also monitor conditions in real time, and issue early warnings of power failures. More importantly, the Electricity Director can also help enterprises optimize the energy structure and promote transformation and upgrading.
Since the park’s transformation, the zero Carbon Park has seen an increase of more than 30 percent in 50 green factories and 17 smart workshops, . Ling Feng explained that "The system’s 'one-click query' function offers users easy access to power consumption data analysis, information about energy consumption , and power outage warnings. The system also automatically generates a monthly electricity consumption analysis report to provide personalized energy management solutions according to the needs of the enterprise."
Data show that since the construction of the zero-carbon smart park, the cumulative annual power generation has been 640,000 KWH, carbon emissions have been reduced by 192.52 tons, and standard coal usage has been reduced by about 4.81 million tons, which is equivalent to the afforestation of more than 18,880 trees.
The park achievents are attracting more entrepreneurs and have inspired Zhejiang Da You Group to replicate this model in other industrial parks such as Renhe Cai Niao Logistics Park in Yuhang District.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, talks to reporters during a press conference at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand after a court removed him from office over an ethical violation on August 14, 2024. Srettha said he performed his duty as prime minister as best he could, and said he "accepts the verdict." Photo: VCG
