Remote working prompts rise in practical innovations

As China continues to battle the novel coronavirus outbreak, large numbers of people are working from home.

That will continue for an indefinite period, despite growing optimism that the situation on the Chinese mainland is gradually returning to normal and a growing number of sectors are tentatively returning to work.

To reduce the risk of infection being transmitted via large gatherings and human interaction, the central leadership in January urged people from the hardest-hit areas or those not involved in urgent or essential work to make use of remote systems or online platforms to work from home.

Since then, internet giants, including Tencent and Alibaba, have intensified technical support by offering improved and updated online equipment or smartphone apps to allow people easier access to "working in the cloud".

Though many people have simply swapped their daily office routines for online work from home, such as holding meetings with colleagues via the internet, a few have found new ways to promote their work remotely.

For example, a lawyer in Beijing is taking advantage of livestreaming to explain the law, while a woman who runs three coffee shops in the capital uses the internet to teach customers how to make coffee. Meanwhile, a noted drama enthusiast has organized people with a passion for performing to take part in voice acting and radio plays online.

The three shared their stories with China Daily, explaining how they work from home and outlining their recent achievements.