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AutoX expands robotaxi operation zone to 1,000 sq km

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Alibaba-backed AutoX, a developer of Level 4 fully autonomous cars, or “robotaxis”, now claims to operate “China’s largest autonomous driving area”.

The total area covers 1,000 square kilometers, including a 168-square-kilometer fully driverless zone. AutoX robotaxis are able to navigate all the public roads inside the 1,000 square kilometer area.

Expanding the total autonomous driving area to over 1,000 square kilometers is an important step towards making the robotic taxi service a reality in the daily lives of people in China. [Read more…] about AutoX expands robotaxi operation zone to 1,000 sq km

Schaeffler acquires precision gearbox maker Melior Motion 

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Schaeffler, a billion-dollar German company which supplies bearings and other components to the automotive and aerospace industries, has signed an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Melior Motion.

The acquisition of this supplier of precision gearboxes for robotics and other applications in automation expands the robotics portfolio of the Schaeffler Group’s industrial division.

As automation of simple, repetitive tasks as well as complex mounting and manufacturing processes is progressing rapidly, Schaeffler’s industrial division is expanding its position as a supplier for robotics components and systems. [Read more…] about Schaeffler acquires precision gearbox maker Melior Motion 

Scientists calculate impact of China’s ban on plastic waste imports

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While recycling is often touted as the solution to the large-scale production of plastic waste, upwards of half of the plastic waste intended for recycling is exported from higher income countries to other nations, with China historically taking the largest share.

But in 2017, China passed the “National Sword” policy, which permanently bans the import of non-industrial plastic waste as of January 2018. Now, scientists from the University of Georgia have calculated the potential global impact of this legislation and how it might affect efforts to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the world’s landfills and natural environment.

They published their findings today in the journal Science Advances. [Read more…] about Scientists calculate impact of China’s ban on plastic waste imports

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New deadly snake from Asia named after character from Chinese myth ‘Legend of White Snake’

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In 2001, the famous herpetologist Joseph B. Slowinski died from snakebite by an immature black-and-white banded krait, while leading an expedition team in northern Myanmar.

The very krait that caused his death is now confirmed to belong to the same species identified as a new to science venomous snake, following an examination of samples collected between 2016 and 2019 from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China.

The new krait species, found in Southwestern China and Northern Myanmar, is described by Dr Zening Chen of Guangxi Normal University, PhD candidate Shengchao Shi, Dr Li Ding from the Chengdu Institute of Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr Gernot Vogel of the Society for Southeast Asian Herpetology in Germany and Dr Jingsong Shi of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at Chinese Academy of Sciences. [Read more…] about New deadly snake from Asia named after character from Chinese myth ‘Legend of White Snake’

Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

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The Chinese robotics sector generated almost half of total global patents in the most recent year available, according to a new report. 

The figure was published in the Annual Report on the Development of the Robot Industry in China, jointly written by HRG International Institute of Research and Innovation as well as the China Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation.

The two organizations produced what they call the 2021 Blue Book of the Robot Industry, based on their research. [Read more…] about Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

The long and complex history of cereal cuisine in ancient China

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Changing cuisines in ancient China were driven by multiple environmental and cultural practices over thousands of years, according to a study published November 4, 2020 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Xinyi Liu of Washington University in St. Louis and Rachel E. B. Reid of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Virginia.

Cereal grains – including wheat, rice, barley, millet and more – are the most important food sources in the world today. But understanding how these foods originated and spread across the world requires a global effort.

In this study, Liu and Reid focus on the ancient history of staple cereals across China, a country well-known for its diverse food products and early adoption of many domesticated plants. [Read more…] about The long and complex history of cereal cuisine in ancient China

China Green Companies Summit held in Dunhuang

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The China Green Companies Summit 2019 was successfully held in Dunhuang, Gansu Province.

More than 1,100 domestic and foreign business leaders, political figures, academic authorities, NGO representatives and influential media participated in this conference.

Including Fan Youshan, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee and vice chairman of ACFIC, Song Liang, vice governor of Gansu Province, Ma Yun, Chairman of China Entrepreneur Club (CEC) and Executive Chairman, Alibaba Group, as well as Ma Weihua, Liu Chuanzhi, Wang Yusuo, Guo Guangchang, Liu Yonghao, Liu Donghua, Xu Jinghong, Cao Guowei, Hu Baosen, and Xu Xiaonian.

The theme of the China Green Companies Summit 2019 is “winning is the essence of business.” The world today is undergoing new developments and changes. Technological revolution and economic development have brought tremendous changes to the market.

In the new business environment, if companies want to “win”, they need to return to the original mission of the enterprise.

During the summit, entrepreneurs explored various topics of concern, including scientific and technological innovation, business growth, digital transformation, industrial poverty alleviation, investment logic, digitalization and organizational transformation, reinvention of the cultural and tourism industries, “winning in the cold winter” and other sub-forums, to identify current business trends, discuss new methodologies and solve business problems.

At this year’s annual meeting, diplomats from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States attended the conference.

Representatives from these countries discussed business cooperation between China and foreign countries with Chinese entrepreneurs. Some other activities were held, including industrial matchmaking meetings and visits with local enterprises.

These focused on encouraging entrepreneurs to play an active role in the development of the western region.

Jack Ma (main picture), chairman of the China Entrepreneur Club, delivered a speech at the plenary session. He noted that the first batch of businessmen in Chinese history began their exploration along the Silk Road to West Asia and Europe.

Entrepreneurs are explorers in the economic field. It required perhaps courage then than businessmen need today because traders and businessmen at that time faced great dangers crossing the desert.

However, he thought this is the “endless entrepreneurial spirit, the spirit of adventure”.

The annual summit is organized by the China Entrepreneur Club, co-organized by the Gansu Provincial Department of Commerce, the Jiuquan Municipal People’s Government and the Dunhuang Municipal People’s Government.

It receives support from the Gansu Provincial People’s Government, Gansu Electronic & Power Investment Group Corporation and Panasonic.

The China Green Companies Summit is hosted by the China Entrepreneur Club. It is dedicated to promoting smart and long-term economic growth. Launched by CEC since 2008, the Summit is held on April 22nd, Earth Day, every year.

It hosts over 1,000 guests from home and abroad who are visionaries and game-changing leaders in the fields of business, government, academics, NGO and media. They present views, exchange ideas, explore effective ways for sustainable business development.

The annual summit has been held for 12 years and is widely recognized as one of the most high-level globally impactful conferences in China on sustainable development.

Smart manufacturing to play central role at China International Industry Fair

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The concept of smart manufacturing is to play a central role at this year’s China Industrial Industry Fair.

Smart manufacturing is a term used to mean any manufacturing system which uses advanced technologies – such as robotics, automation and network connectivity.

Other related terms are Industry 4.0, intelligent manufacturing, and lights-out manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Smart manufacturing to play central role at China International Industry Fair

Chinese telco Citic Telecom CPC reveals new name for Linx Telecommunications and enters a new era in ‘connecting the world to the Digital Silk Road’

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Citic becomes one of the first Asian managed service providers to host Points of Presence along the ‘One Belt, One Road’ route

Citic Telecom International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citic Telecom International, today announced that after Citic Telecom CPC completed its acquisition of Linx Telecommunication, the merged company is to be named Citic Telecom CPC Europe.

Citic says it marks a new era for the company as it becomes one of the first Asian managed service providers to own Points of Presence (POPs) across a multitude of countries along the ‘Digital Silk Road’.

Stephen Ho (main picture), CEO of Citic Telecom CPC, who presented the new developments at a press conference in London, says the company is “accelerating internationalization and digitalization”.  [Read more…] about Chinese telco Citic Telecom CPC reveals new name for Linx Telecommunications and enters a new era in ‘connecting the world to the Digital Silk Road’