The World Economic Forum's 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025, commonly known as the Summer Davos Forum, will kick off in Tianjin from June 24 to 26, bringing together over 1,700 participants from more than 90 countries to explore how entrepreneurship and innovation can reignite global growth.

The announcement came at a media conference in Beijing on Tuesday, where organizers detailed the event's focus on driving strategic dialogue around global challenges.

Over 144 senior political figures from more than 30 countries and regions, including 40 cabinet ministers, will join business tycoons, government officials, civil society leaders, academics, and media representatives at the forum, contributing insights into how regional development, emerging technologies, and shifting supply chains reshape global industries, with a particular focus on China and Asia.

Notable Chinese entrepreneurs such as TCL founder Li Dongsheng and JD.com chairman Liu Qiangdong are also set to attend the event.

Chen Shuai, deputy director general of the National Development and Reform Commission's Department of International Cooperation, highlighted the event as a showcase for China's achievements in high-quality economic development and its dedication to high-level opening-up. "We encourage the global business community to actively participate in China's modernization process and share the opportunities from its high-quality development," he said.

Tianjin vice-mayor Li Wenhai welcomed international participants to experience the city's advancements in technology and emerging industries, emphasizing the role of Summer Davos as a hub for meaningful dialogues.

World Economic Forum managing director Gim Huay Neo underscored Asia's significance as "the most youthful region driving 60 percent of global economic growth," noting the forum's role in fostering partnerships for geo-economic progress.

Themed "Entrepreneurship for a New Era", the Summer Davos forum features an agenda with five core pillars: Deciphering the World Economy, Outlook on China, Industries Disrupted, Investing in People and Planet, and New Energy and Materials.

Over 40 sessions, including the opening plenary, will be livestreamed, alongside the release of key reports such as the 2025 Energy Transition Index and Top 10 Emerging Technologies. Now in its 16th edition, the Summer Davos Forum reinforces China's position as a catalyst for global innovation and economic recovery.

China's economy is projected to grow by 4.5 percent in 2025 and 4 percent in 2026, with fiscal policy cushioning the slowdown pressures due to global trade restrictions and uncertainty, said the latest China Economic Update of the World Bank Group.

According to the update released on Friday, as global trade restrictions and uncertainty weigh on exports, manufacturing investment and hiring, fiscal policy is expected to cushion the slowdown through higher infrastructure spending, subsidies, and social protection benefits.

Medium-term growth prospects, however, remain constrained by slower productivity growth, relatively high debt, and an aging population.

"Household consumption will be key to sustaining growth amid external and domestic economic challenges," said World Bank Division Director for China, Mongolia and South Korea Mara Warwick.

"Beyond short-term stimulus, stronger social safety nets, especially for migrant and temporary workers, would encourage more spending by improving financial security and reducing the need for precautionary saving," Warwick said.

As the global economy undergoes profound transformations, the digital economy stands out as a game-changer. With its capacity for innovation, deep penetration and wide-reaching impact, the digital economy is not just reshaping industries but also altering the global competition landscape, and becoming the key driver of Chinese modernization.

Among the front-runners of this transformation is Guangdong province, a core engine of China's digital economy. In 2023, Guangdong's digital economy was worth an impressive 6.9 trillion yuan ($959.93 billion), securing its leading position in the country for the eighth consecutive year. Leveraging its strong manufacturing foundation and global platforms for open exchange, Guangdong is charting a path that not only fuels Chinese modernization but also sets an example of how the digital economy can empower industries at all levels.

One of Guangdong's most significant achievements is its ability to facilitate the integration of the digital economy with the real economy, forging a path toward high-quality, sustainable growth. The province is continually optimizing its industrial structure, not just by developing digital infrastructure but also by investing in the industries that depend on it. By October 2024, Guangdong had established 392,000 5G base stations, leading the country in the number of 5G users and industry virtual private networks. This vast digital infrastructure has laid the groundwork for everything, from industrial upgrading to smarter supply chains.

Guangdong's digital transformation has spurred breakthroughs in critical technologies such as computer vision, virtual reality and intelligent robotics. Industry giants such as Huawei, Tencent and DJI are now at the forefront of this wave, setting new standards in digital industrialization. Also, Guangdong's focus on fostering smaller businesses has led to tangible, positive outcomes. For instance, Midea's Meiqing industrial internet platform is revolutionizing the home appliance sector by enabling real-time monitoring of production, logistics and market trends. Today, Meiqing serves industries ranging from automotive parts to agriculture, connecting more than 4 million industrial devices and supporting nearly 600,000 enterprises.

Over the past five years, Guangdong has facilitated the digital transformation of more than 30,000 large enterprises, with over 750,000 small and medium-sized businesses now offering cloud-based services.

Digital governance is another pillar of Guangdong's model, improving government services and encouraging people to participate in decision-making. The digital economy has expanded the ways in which people engage with governments at different levels through digital platforms. By using big data analytics and real-time feedback systems, the province has made governance more transparent and responsive. The launch of the digital platform allows Guangdong officials to access critical economic, budgetary and State-owned asset data, strengthening oversight.

As the economic driver of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangdong has enabled cross-regional cooperation in digital governance. By leveraging platforms such as the "Yue" economic system, the province is facilitating real-time data sharing across different regions, improving the government's ability to address social needs and improving governance across the Greater Bay Area.

Guangdong's digital economy is not limited to industry and governance — it is also reshaping cultural expressions. Traditionally, geographical barriers limited people's access to cultural resources, but the digital economy has opened up new possibilities for wide-reaching cultural exchanges. Virtual reality, immersive technologies and digital platforms have created new channels for cultural engagement, razing old barriers and expanding access to diverse forms of cultural expression.

The "Yue Du Tong" program (Guangdong's unique online reading platform), for example, allows users to access libraries across the province with just one card, offering a seamless digital experience for cultural enrichment. Private companies, too, are adapting to the transformation, using 5G and VR technologies to create interactive cultural experiences. Some businesses have integrated the province's rich cultural heritage, including performing arts, historical relics, and revolutionary history, into immersive VR experiences that allow people to explore everything from theaters to museums — anytime, anywhere.

Guangdong has also shown how digital technologies can drive rural development and bridge the urban-rural gap. The province has piloted innovative projects in rural areas, promoting digital tools to improve productivity and connectivity. For instance, Jieyang city has partnered with China Unicom to digitalize agricultural processes based on local strengths in industries such as green plums, tea and live pigs, creating an integrated monitoring system that tracks everything, from production to sales, boosting efficiency and reducing risks.

As part of its broader modernization strategy, Guangdong is integrating green technologies with its digital infrastructure, while investing heavily in smart environmental monitoring systems, using 5G, drones and digital twins to monitor the health of the environment and track pollution in real time.

On the other hand, Guangdong-based businesses are adopting digital technologies to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. For example, the digital energy conservation and carbon reduction industry alliance, formed by Guangdong-based enterprises, is promoting the green transformation of production through digital means, with alliance vice-chair Zhishu Capital developing a digital energy platform, "i380V", to monitor and analyze energy use in equipment, systems and organizations, offering energy-saving solutions.

Guangdong has shown how the digital economy can serve as a catalyst for Chinese modernization. As the province continues to lead the way, its model offers valuable experiences for the rest of the country — and indeed the world — on how to harness the digital economy for sustainable, inclusive development.

Zeng Yan is a professor at Lingnan College, Sun Yat-sen University. 

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.

Editor's Note: As China steps up efforts to boost domestic demand and drive consumption-led growth, multinational corporations are uniquely positioned to seize the opportunities presented by this transformative period. China Daily examines how these companies are aligning with China's new round of high-standard opening-up policies, embracing emerging tech innovation trends, and expanding their presence in a market that increasingly values high-quality development and upgraded consumption.

Q1 Driving domestic consumption is a top priority for China's economic growth this year. With the country placing greater emphasis on consumption-led development, how is your company adapting its products, services, or localization strategies to meet evolving domestic demand and shifting consumer preferences?

CHEN: China is in a transformative era, marked by opportunities driven by consumption-led development. As China will continue to represent more than half of the world's chemical production, this offers significant growth opportunities for Syensqo as a specialty company.

To meet the evolving domestic demand and to seize opportunities, we decided to develop Syensqo's new regional strategy, which emphasizes localization and partnership with local players. We have framed the strategy to enable a sharpened regional focus to design and deliver for China, with faster decision-making, more local empowerment and higher responsiveness to local customer demands. We will look for partnerships and strategic alliances, which will enable us to adopt a more "China-for-China" model for select businesses.

With our China headquarters in Shanghai, six industrial sites across the country, and a major research and investment center in Shanghai, which is the largest R&I center in Asia that works with all Syensqo end-markets, we are confident about shifting consumer preferences and contributing to consumption-led development with our local customers.

XIA: China's consumption upgrade is not only expanding market volume, but also elevating industry standards. As a global chemical company headquartered in Germany, Evonik's products serve as foundational enablers across diverse sectors, ultimately reaching consumers and benefiting from the expansion of market capacity.

We see extensive opportunities in rising demand for high-quality raw materials across sectors like healthcare, cosmetics, advanced manufacturing, and green mobility. For instance, our advanced materials for electric vehicle batteries enhance performance and safety, while bio-based active ingredients for cosmetics align with consumers' growing focus on safety, sustainability, and premium quality.

Localization remains central to our strategy. We have established joint development laboratories and R&D strategic cooperation in China in sectors such as battery materials, oil additives, and personal care products. These collaborations foster win-win outcomes by accelerating innovation and market application, driving value for both Evonik and domestic industries.

MACHADO: China's focus on domestic consumption benefits not only its economy, but also global industries like ours. At Suzano, we're responding by intensifying our focus on quality and sustainability — exactly what Chinese consumers now demand. This means we provide products that first, offer better functional properties for daily life, and second, meet growing expectations for environmental responsibility. Our Shanghai innovability hub embodies this dual approach, developing innovative bio-based materials with minimal carbon footprint. We're seeing particular success with our fully FSC-certified pulp products that enable downstream manufacturers to create more sustainable and premium tissue products. This aligns perfectly with Chinese consumers' increasing preference for eco-friendly options.

ZHAO: As a global pharmaceutical company, Astellas has been committed to the "in China, for China" strategy and wholeheartedly dedicated to providing high-quality innovative medicines and services to patients since entering the Chinese mainland in 1994. China has become one of the prioritized markets of Astellas, which has been included into the most early stage of Astellas clinical R&D. For instance, the world's first CLDN18.2-targeted therapy has achieved simultaneous development and approval in China, offering a new treatment option for China's gastric cancer patients.

Q2 "China Travel" and "Shopping in China" have become buzzwords among international visitors, fueled by China's unilateral visa-free policies for multiple countries and a new initiative allowing eligible travelers to receive instant tax refunds. How is your business planning to innovate and capture the momentum from this trend? Additionally, how do you view emerging opportunities in areas such as green technology, the low-altitude economy, smart manufacturing, and experiential services?

CHEN: Syensqo sees opportunities in green technology. The market demand for new frontiers of growth, such as electrification, lightweighting, advanced connectivity, more efficient resource utilization, which includes green hydrogen, higher quality of life, and more sustainable sourcing — have brought new opportunities for economic development and corporate development. With the development of green technology, I believe we will be able to see the country becoming a more circular economy, with performance excellence and environmental responsibility going hand in hand. The low-altitude economy is an emerging industry in global competition, with great development potential in China. We've seen that some companies have established research and development centers in China, dedicated to the design of electric aircraft and eVTOL. Compared to the traditional aviation market, the low-altitude economy's aircraft now extensively use new energy as the power source. This will allow companies like Syensqo to contribute by offering high-performance composite materials to lighten the aircraft structure and provide smarter and more efficient battery solutions.

XIA: The rise of "China Travel" reflects the growing dynamism of China's consumer market. While Evonik's products primarily serve industrial customers, we are well-positioned to support the industries benefiting from this trend. Looking ahead, green technologies are one of the key focus areas and align with our new innovation strategy, which focuses on bio-based solutions, energy transition, and the circular economy. For example, our bio-based surfactants enhance sustainability in personal and household care products, while our membrane technologies enable efficient green hydrogen production. In the emerging low-altitude economy, we are developing lightweight, durable materials for drones and urban air mobility vehicles, leveraging our expertise in aerospace composites. Ultimately, China's focus on high-tech, high-value industries creates a symbiotic relationship between consumption upgrades and industrial innovation. Evonik is committed to being a partner in this journey, leveraging our material science leadership to turn emerging trends into tangible progress.

MACHADO: China's expanded visa-free policies amplify its global appeal. I'm especially excited about the trial implementation of a 30-day visa-free entry policy for five Latin American countries including Brazil. While the policy was just announced, we anticipate it will significantly ease cultural and professional exchanges between our regions. At Suzano, we're particularly optimistic about how this could facilitate more seamless collaboration between our Brazilian experts and China-based teams in the future. As to emerging opportunities in AI and technology, we are deploying a local team to help us better leverage China's strength by incorporating Chinese technology into our operations in China and across other regions. For example, we aim to explore how drones could be used in smart forestry, coupled with AI, to further enhance the productivity of our plantations in Brazil.

ZHAO: These buzzwords reflect China's firm determination in furthering its high-standard opening-up that fosters a favorable business climate for multinational companies like Astellas. As a global pharmaceutical company that entered the Chinese mainland in 1994, Astellas has been a beneficiary of China's reform and opening-up, particularly intensified reforms in its regulatory framework such as the accelerated review and approval system for innovative drugs. We have, therefore, not only accelerated to address unmet medical needs in China with our innovative solutions, but also increased our investment in China with upgraded corporate structure and strategy in the country. With regard to the healthcare industry, Astellas is bolstered by China's emerging opportunities like green technology and AI, alongside increased medical needs for high-quality innovative solutions, and we are optimistic about our long-term and sustainable development in China.

Q3 AI and digitalization are rapidly transforming industries across the globe. How are your China operations incorporating these technologies to boost efficiency, improve customer experiences, or unlock new revenue streams in light of the country's push for "new quality productive forces"?

CHEN: China has evolved from a leader in capacity to a leader in capacity and innovation. AI will play an important role in accelerating the transformation.

At Syensqo, we have a digital plan that relies strongly on the adoption of artificial intelligence as one of the levels to increase productivity, innovate more and identify new ideas. We see tremendous opportunities for using AI to advance innovation. AI enables engineers in the labs and in the plant to look at bigger and more complex scientific or mathematical problems, and to bring up solutions which are more universal and have a bigger impact.

It's absolutely clear to us that, more and more, we need to have AI as a partner for our researchers. It is not a replacement, but a partner for our researchers. And this is accelerating strongly in Syensqo China research and innovation center where we have utilized AI to create modular tools for analysis, testing, quality control and product solutions optimization. We are investing in an Al laboratory in the research and innovation center in Shanghai.

XIA: We see opportunities from AI integration across various facets of our operations. We are incorporating AI to refine our R&D processes, optimize supply chain logistics, and enhance customer service experiences. Our digital tools, like the energy management system DEnMS, utilize smart sensors and AI analytics to monitor energy metrics across 80 percent of our Chinese production sites, driving energy efficiency and cost reduction while supporting China's dual-carbon goals.

For customer experiences, platforms like COATINO for the coating and ink industries provide formulators with tailored AI-driven tools and resources, facilitating efficient and informed decision-making. Internally, our secure GPT-based AI tools allow employees to automate daily tasks, boosting productivity while safeguarding intellectual property.

MACHADO: AI technology is transforming industries globally, and Suzano is already exploring the integration of AI into our operations to enhance efficiency, optimize supply chains, and improve customer engagement. For instance, Suzano developed Tetrys, which is an AI tool to determine the right seedling clones to be planted in every specific region where we operate, to ensure higher productivity, less use of inputs and chemicals, as well as protect the forest from pests and diseases.

We also use geospatial intelligence products for yield prediction, water resource and risk management, carbon measurement and verification, forest certification, and supply chain optimization and traceability. But there is so much more yet to be explored and China has a lot to offer. China's rapid advancements in AI and other breakthrough technologies are impressive. We are keen to learn from China and bring the technologies that China has been developing to our operations not only in China, but also in other regions.

ZHAO: Astellas is leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies to optimize R&D and patient services, adhering to a "patient-centric" philosophy. With AI, we could immediately reduce the search time by up to 90 percent compared to the previous process. We have also been able to identify highly active compounds more quickly by repeating the process of using the AI activity prediction model to design compounds in the short term.

In China, we have launched a website of Claudin 18.2 pathological center for medical education to enhance pathologists' diagnostic capabilities. Recently, Astellas China, in collaboration with JD Health, officially launched the "Astellas Pharma JD Flagship Store," marking a significant step for Astellas China's digital progress.

Q4 China is stepping up efforts to promote high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and upgraded services. In this context, is your company planning to increase investments, establish new partnerships, or expand R&D capabilities in China? What are the core objectives of your long-term strategy in the Chinese market?

CHEN: As the Chinese chemicals market is projected to continue its growth over the next 8-10 years, Syensqo sees opportunities in contributing to the high-quality development of China with green initiative as a major driver. We will continue investing in clean energy infrastructure and research and development, which enable us to provide innovative sustainable solutions that help industries lower emissions through electrification, lightweighting, advanced connectivity, resource efficiency, improving quality of life and sustainable sourcing. There will be plenty of opportunities to grow for an innovative company in China as we have a strong partnership pipeline in active discussions with local companies, which will enable Syensqo to maximize our R&I capabilities and localize the supply chain. We believe our business operations, with a more focused strategy targeting the local region, will bring us more opportunities and lead to faster and more impactful decarbonization along the Chinese path to promote high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and upgraded services.

XIA: China remains a cornerstone of Evonik's global growth, and we are proactively expanding our footprint with a particular focus on sustainability across sectors such as e-mobility, renewable energy, and healthcare. These efforts align with China's ambitions toward high-end manufacturing and an enhanced digital economy. Notable projects for production capacities include our specialty-grade hydrogen peroxide plant in Sichuan province's Leshan, which supports industries such as solar panels and semiconductors, as well as the specialty amines production expansion in Jiangsu province's Nanjing, which caters to construction, automotive, and furniture sectors.

Key initiatives in R&D include establishing a medical device solutions center in Shanghai, serving as our largest hub for Asia, and opening innovation centers like the Asia Skin Research Center for personal care industry, high-performance material application center for EV industry, and Hydrogen Competency Center for green hydrogen. Through these strategic expansions and partnerships, Evonik aims to play a significant role in supporting China's progress toward high-quality industrial and economic development.

MACHADO: Our China investments follow four clear pillars. First, customer-focused investments to enhance their production capabilities with our bio-based materials. Second, R&D investments through projects at our Shanghai Innovability Hub, aiming to expand market applications and improve product sustainability. Third, developing Chinese suppliers — we're systematically identifying high-quality manufacturers to join our global supply chain, leveraging China's strong equipment manufacturing base. Fourth, financial ecosystem engagement, building on our landmark Panda Bond issuance to explore new sustainable financing tools. Each pillar reflects our long-term commitment to China and belief in mutual growth opportunities. The supplier development is especially strategic — we've found Chinese manufacturers often offer both technological sophistication and competitive pricing. Similarly, China's dynamic financial markets enable innovative instruments to support our green investments. These parallel efforts — strengthening local partnerships while integrating China into our global operations — demonstrate how we're growing with China's economy while contributing to its high-quality development goals.

ZHAO: Having deeply cultivated the Chinese mainland market for over 30 years, Astellas is committed to long-term development in China, by strengthening local collaborations and accelerating the introduction of innovative products to China. In 2021, Astellas China completed an organizational upgrade, establishing our regional headquarters in Beijing. Astellas has continually deepened its strategic partnerships with local partners, such as Baheal and Elpiscience. Recently, Astellas announced a strategic cooperation with Shanghai Pharma, further expanding its local collaboration ecosystem.

Authorities unveiled a guideline on improving the modern corporate system with Chinese characteristics, which analysts said will help put businesses in a better position to enhance their innovation capability, and bring competitiveness more in line with shifting market dynamics.

The guideline, along with the private sector promotion law passed in late April, will foster a more enabling business climate for private firms, which contributes more than 60 percent of China's GDP, to further unlock the nation's innovation potential, they said.

The guideline — jointly issued by general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Monday — places high priority on incentivizing enterprises to maximize innovation.

"To help enterprises adapt to the fast-paced technological innovation landscape, it's critical to tackle the long-standing challenges of fragmentation and inefficiency in innovation," said Dong Yu, executive vice-president of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University.

To this end, the guideline makes clear it will foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem where large enterprises can leverage their strengths to empower and support the innovation capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Large enterprises typically possess stronger resources and brand advantages. The constant struggle for survival often leaves smaller business with meager profits, making it difficult to sustain high-intensity research and development investment, said Xiang Anbo, a researcher specializing in enterprise management at the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Compared to large firms, smaller firms often face greater challenges in securing financing and encounter higher costs, Xiang said.

Therefore, Xiang noted that collaborative innovation between large and small enterprises is crucial, with large firms leveraging their industry leadership to drive synchronized innovation across the upstream and downstream value chains.

Private enterprises in China have contributed some 70 percent of the country's total technological innovation achievements, and analysts stressed that more government support should be channeled toward the private sector.

The State Administration for Market Regulation said the number of private enterprises among China's national high-tech firms has significantly increased from 28,000 in 2012 to over 420,000 by the end of January. This growth has led to a substantial increase in their proportion, rising from 62.4 percent to over 92 percent of the total.

An official from the National Development and Reform Commission said that the recently issued guideline — along with the newly implemented private sector promotion law — both emphasize the importance of improving services and support for private enterprises.

Going forward, the government will implement a newly updated market access negative list, which explicitly defines sectors off-limits to private investment, thereby reducing ambiguity for businesses, the official said.

Eligible sectors will stand to benefit from favorable policies, the official said, adding that the government will steer private capital toward future industries and emerging sectors.

Passing under a vibrant vermilion archway in the morning, the lively calls of street vendors fill the air, instantly transporting visitors back to the bustling old-town ambience of Tianjin, a thriving coastal city with a rich history.

As evening falls, amid red walls and black tiles adorned with shimmering lights, visitors are captivated by popular intangible cultural heritage items and local delicacies. These picturesque scenes unfold in the recently renovated Luhe Duyun Alley, nestled within the Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street in Nankai district.

The 200-meter alley mirrors the scenes depicted in the historical Luhe Duyun Painting, showcasing the vibrant commercial and cultural activities along a grand canal built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) under Emperor Qianlong's rule (1736-96). "The newly renovated and opened alley is part of Nankai district's endeavor to establish itself as a premier tourism hub in the city. Plans are underway to introduce additional tourist attractions throughout the district," said Nie Weixun, head of Nankai district.

The district saw 1.61 million tourist visits during the May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, creating a combined value of 523 million yuan ($72.4 million), up 14 percent year-on-year, according to official statistics. "The renovation efforts and the introduction of unique cultural and tourism initiatives are poised to infuse fresh energy into the street, attracting a larger audience keen to explore and experience the area," Nie said.

Efforts to upgrade the alley's buildings have produced positive outcomes. For example, Jade Emperor Pavilion, a Taoist temple dating back to 1427, and the Tianhou Temple, dedicated to the worship of the Mazu goddess and constructed in 1326, have both attracted more visitors with their new looks and services.

Tianhou Palace has begun promoting official cultural and creative products, such as figurines, specialty cups and sachets, since this May.

During the five-day holiday, it launched an immersive night tour, unveiling a treasure hunt map connected with local folk museums to introduce traditional competitions, enriching the visitors' experience.

Renowned cultural and historical scholar Luo Shuwei, 87, who recently published a book on the street, emphasized that this 1-kilometer street serves as a bridge between Tianjin's past and future, as well as China's heritage. For example, it has seen a revival of both heritage landmarks and long-standing local enterprises, showcasing the street's role in keeping tradition and contemporary vitality alive.

The street is home to renowned brands like Yumeijing, a household name known for its children's skin cream. Since the production of the first 25-gram sachet in 1979, it has sold 4.6 billion to date, said Jiang Wei, president of Tianjin Yumeijing Group. In addition, the group delves into the core values of Chinese culture, emphasizing "integrity", "benevolence" and "diligence", she said.

"Yumeijing will actively explore the cultural essence of time-honored brands, integrating our corporate culture to showcase the vitality of Chinese traditional culture," she said.

Such efforts to embed cultural heritage into modern life mirror the broader revitalization taking place along the street. In this context, the street's administrative committee has set forth plans to strengthen links between the historic Drum Tower, built in 1493, and neighboring areas, and plans to develop them into a prominent tourist destination.

There will also be efforts to revitalize some nearby buildings, introducing a variety of cultural and tourism activities to deepen visitors' understanding on local customs in Tianjin.

yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn

Tianjin, a major economic hub in northern China, is transitioning from a traditional industrial city into a modern metropolis by expanding into emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, new energy and new materials through technological innovation and industrial upgrades, deputies to the National People's Congress said during the country's annual legislative sessions.

Tianjin's gross domestic product grew 5.1 percent last year, with key industrial chains in artificial intelligence and biomedicine continuing to expand. The Tianjin-Nankai Higher Education Science and Innovation Park has attracted more than 3,000 tech companies, with an annual output value exceeding 50 billion yuan ($6.9 million), becoming a core driver of regional innovation, according to local government data.

"These achievements are inseparable from the promotion of scientific research results and their transfer into technology," said Chen Jun, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and vice-president of Nankai University.

"Technological innovation is a core element in developing new quality productive forces, with the utilization of scientific and technological achievements as an important path," he said.

As a national lawmaker, Chen proposed establishing a national technology transfer center in Tianjin to create a hub for transforming scientific breakthroughs into industry applications across northern China. He also called for increased central government financial support, including policies such as special bonds and tax reductions, to strengthen platform development.

"If the transformation path is not smooth, many scientific and technological achievements will just 'sleep' in the laboratory, losing their application and economic value," he said.

To bridge the gap between research and industry, Tianjin has introduced a series of policies in recent years. In May, the city issued "Several Measures to Further Promote the Innovative Reform of the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements" to accelerate the transition from laboratory research to industrial production.

"We launched the Tianjin-Nankai Higher Education Science and Innovation Park in 2023 to effectively connect university and enterprise resources, serving as an excellent demonstration of bridging the 'last mile' of technology transfer," said Zhang Gong, Tianjin's mayor and an NPC deputy.

With industrial upgrading, demand for skilled workers in Tianjin has surged. Chen said Nankai University, Tianjin University and the Haihe Laboratory serve as key research platforms for talent development.

The city is promoting collaborative training programs between schools and enterprises, such as "biomedicine plus AI" and "new materials plus AI," while attracting top academic teams to tackle technical challenges and drive innovation.

"We have a heavy task in talent cultivation. Enabling young scientific and technological talents to 'take the lead' in new fields and new eras is key to supporting high-quality development," Chen said.

Chen, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and an expert in new energy chemical materials, said artificial intelligence is transforming the development of new energy battery materials, significantly improving research efficiency and shortening development cycles.

"Traditional battery research and development relies on a 'trial and error' approach and a linear 'experiment verification plus simulation' model, which requires extensive time for material selection and formula optimization — not to mention the need for costly high-end instruments," Chen said.

AI-powered automation has streamlined the process, allowing robots to conduct high-throughput experiments around the clock while AI analyzes experimental data, optimizes designs and automates adjustments.

"Through robots running nonstop 24 hours a day, AI can quickly analyze experimental spectra, extract parameters and feed them into simulation platforms for optimized designs. If the plan does not meet standards, the system automatically iterates. Feasible plans go directly into production, significantly shortening the time from laboratory to mass production," Chen said.

AI has also revolutionized quality inspection in battery production. Computer vision-based detection systems can identify defects such as electrode cracks and impurities with efficiency more than 100 times higher than manual inspection. AI is also integrated into battery manufacturing and management systems, enabling smarter production and monitoring, he said.

BYD's intelligent process system, developed using reinforcement learning algorithms, increased the electrode coating yield rate from 88 percent to 99.5 percent, while AI digital twin technology shortened trial production cycles by 60 percent, significantly accelerating product launches, according to the company.

NIO's AI-powered battery management system, which uses transfer learning, has kept battery life prediction errors within 3 percent, increasing the residual value of used electric vehicle batteries by 15 percent. AI is reshaping the competitiveness of the new energy vehicle industry, the company said in previous interviews with China Industry News.

Chen said the deep integration of AI and new energy batteries is paving the way for "digital twin batteries," which can map and simulate battery performance in real-time, providing greater convenience for researchers and consumers.

"In the next one to two years, we aim to develop solid-state batteries with an energy density of 600 watt-hours per kilogram, enabling electric vehicles to travel more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge," Chen said.

"This also means improved product performance and reduced costs, ultimately benefiting consumers, who will be able to access better-performing and more affordable new energy batteries more quickly," he said.

From top to bottom: Shao Qiankuan walks through his farm in Longma village, Zhejiang. Sun Lei plants a new variety of fruit corn in a test field in Jiangxi. Tang Xinchen harvests kiwi fruit in Minle village, Sichuan. Ren Yin's village cafe is designed to attract young customers in Hongcun village, Zhejiang. CHINA DAILY

Young people are turning to agriculture to escape city pressures, transforming rural China with innovative businesses and a fresh perspective on rural life.

"When work gets tough, I'd rather go home and retreat to farming."

This is how many young people console themselves these days when they feel overwhelmed by the pressures of urban life and their jobs.

However, there is a determined group of young entrepreneurs who aren't just joking — they are actively embracing rural China and seizing opportunities to build businesses.

After nearly six years as an aviation safety officer in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, Shao Qiankuan, 29, decided to leave aviation in 2023 to become a partner in a farm due to limited career opportunities.

Shao and his partners faced numerous challenges as newcomers to farming, from learning crop planting techniques to managing pest control.

Marketing their produce was also difficult because of the unpredictable nature of agricultural production, where weather and timing are crucial. For example, they need to sell fruit corn within seven days of harvest.

"In agriculture, building experience and sales channels is an ongoing process, but the initial stages are particularly challenging," Shao said.

Despite these obstacles, Shao's farm has made significant progress this year. They've enlisted experienced agricultural consultants, diversified their crops to include a new variety of fruit corn that sold out in field trials last year, and adopted staggered planting methods to extend their harvest season.

Shao also taps into his passion for photography and video editing to document his farming journey on popular Chinese social media platforms like Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and Xiaohongshu. This not only helps introduce their products to a wider audience but also captivates followers interested in rural life.

Sparking tradition

Young entrepreneurs like Shao, who are returning to or venturing into rural areas to launch businesses, are part of a growing trend.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, between 2012 and 2022, 12.2 million people engaged in rural entrepreneurship, including returnees from overseas, urban youth, and university graduates. By 2025, this number is expected to exceed 15 million, as outlined in China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for agricultural and rural talent development.

Sun Lei, 27, from a village in East China's Jiangxi province, started an e-commerce business during university, initially focusing on products from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Inspired by his hometown's renowned navel oranges, Sun returned in 2020 to promote local agricultural products nationwide through videos and livestreaming.

"After receiving an urban education, I wanted to apply my skills back home," he said.

Sun began training local farmers in video production in 2022, believing that rural development should empower farmers to effectively market their products.

Sun's decision to launch his business in his hometown was partly influenced by another young entrepreneur, Tang Xinchen, 27, who left his role as a product manager at an internet company in 2022 to return to his village in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province.

"Compared to the already mature internet sector, China's agriculture offers greater opportunities for high-quality talent," he said.

Upon returning to his hometown, Tang rented an orchard and began cultivating local products like kiwi and two types of citrus fruits.

He introduced modern management practices from his previous workplace, using digital systems and collaboration software to oversee the farm.

He also documented his entrepreneurial experience through videos, attracting a following among young internet users and achieving strong sales during his first harvest.

To address the limitations of perishable agricultural products with short selling seasons — such as citrus fruits that peak in flavor for only two weeks — this year, Tang is introducing an innovative sales strategy called order-based agriculture.

This approach involves enrolling members a year in advance, growing crops based on pre-orders, and swiftly delivering them within three days to guarantee peak freshness.

"This ensures predictability for farmers and delivers consumers the highest quality products," Tang explained.

Apart from innovating business models, Tang also actively incorporates new technologies. While manual tasks such as pruning and pollination for fruit trees still rely on human judgment and cannot be mechanized, Tang employs unmanned vehicles for automated tasks like integrated water and fertilizer application and the spraying of microbial agents in his orchard.

He also collaborates with technology firms to implement AI sorting systems that assess orange sweetness through spectral analysis.

Looking ahead, Tang remains attentive to advancements in AI models, aiming to develop AI systems tailored for agricultural production and focusing on tasks that current machinery cannot automate.

"In any field, my goal is to work on projects that make a big difference in people's lives," he said.

Like many young entrepreneurs, Ren Yin, 27, had no prior experience or education in agriculture before returning to her rural hometown in Hangzhou.

After graduating with a master's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Ren often faced criticism that returning to rural areas was "a waste of her talent".

However, Ren realized that her professional background could be effectively applied to her new venture. In 2022, she opened a rural cafe in her hometown. Through both online and offline activities, she transformed it into a hub for local young people to socialize and exchange information and resources.

She even partnered with Hangzhou Normal University, her undergraduate alma mater, and plans to involve international students to promote local culture.

"I want to attract more young people to my rural hometown, where they can not only visit but also settle down and start businesses," Ren said.

Risky opportunities

Ren has benefited from local government policies during her business journey. According to her, the village government actively supports new start-ups by investing in infrastructure, assisting with publicity and event organization, and fostering partnerships with external enterprises.

"I myself only had to invest in lightweight assets, which has been a great relief for young entrepreneurs," Ren said.

However, the extent of policy support varies across different villages in China, influenced by their levels of economic development.

For example, Tang and his team had to live on the farm due to a lack of accommodation options. The nearby villagers' houses were old and costly to rent, and the lack of infrastructure also significantly impacted his expansion efforts.

Tang faces other challenges as well. Although more young entrepreneurs are returning to rural areas, many villages still suffer from a shortage of young laborers. Tang pointed out that his farm needs workers during busy farming seasons, yet the average age of available local workers is around 70.

Moreover, new business ventures usually involve significant risks, especially in agriculture, where profits can take a long time to materialize.

Sun's team has gone through multiple changes, peaking at 22 members and now consisting solely of Sun himself. Earlier this year, he briefly returned to a company position, but he felt his farming aspirations were not yet realized, leading him back to rural entrepreneurship.

"I've always had a vision — to promote my hometown products beyond the village and attract more young people back," Sun said.

Shao cautioned that agriculture demands a significant initial investment, labor, and persistence before it becomes profitable and yields even modest returns. He advises aspiring young people to investigate and experiment extensively before committing to the field.

"Agriculture isn't suited for those who lack industry knowledge and rely solely on passion," he said.

However, Shao also believes that with advancing technology and increasing policy support, agriculture is an evolving and promising sector.

"While a stable job may offer ease and comfort, I find such a life too boring," he said. "I want to pursue meaningful endeavors and fully explore life's possibilities."

mengwenjie@i21st.cn