分类： technology

In a strategic move to capture India’s burgeoning digital market, leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity AI have partnered with Indian telecom giants to offer free or subsidized access to their AI tools. Starting this week, millions of Indian users will gain one year of complimentary access to ChatGPT’s new low-cost ‘Go’ chatbot. Similarly, Perplexity AI has teamed up with Airtel, India’s second-largest mobile network provider, while Google has partnered with Reliance Jio, the country’s largest telecom operator, to bundle AI services with monthly data plans. Analysts view these initiatives not as acts of generosity but as calculated investments aimed at securing a foothold in India’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. Tarun Pathak, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, emphasized that the strategy is to familiarize Indians with generative AI before transitioning to paid models. India’s vast and youthful internet user base, exceeding 900 million, presents a unique opportunity for AI companies to gather diverse data and refine their models. However, this approach raises concerns about data privacy and the lack of robust AI-specific regulations in India. While the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) 2023 offers broad protections, its implementation remains pending, leaving gaps in addressing AI accountability. Experts argue that India must strike a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding user data, especially as global AI companies leverage the country’s flexible regulatory environment to scale their offerings. As the AI landscape evolves, the focus will be on ensuring that India’s digital growth aligns with ethical and transparent practices.

The 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, held in Zhejiang province, brought together global leaders, experts, and tech executives to discuss the future of digital intelligence. With the theme ‘Forging an Open, Cooperative, Secure, and Inclusive Future of Digital Intelligence,’ the summit emphasized the need for joint efforts to build a shared digital future. Li Shulei, a senior official of the Communist Party of China, highlighted the importance of inclusive development, digital infrastructure, and the widespread adoption of digital technologies. He called for enhancing global digital literacy and bridging the digital divide to ensure that the benefits of digital development are shared worldwide. Wang Hao, Party secretary of Zhejiang, noted the province’s progress in integrating the digital economy with the real economy, with the digital economy accounting for over 50% of its GDP in 2024. Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, praised China’s entry into the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index, attributing it to the robust digital economy. The summit also addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving the digital economy. Wu Yongming, CEO of Alibaba Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to open-source AI models and the importance of technological inclusiveness. Liu Qiangdong, founder of JD.com, discussed the transformative potential of AI and robotics in reducing logistics costs and creating new job opportunities. The summit concluded with a call for global collaboration to harness the power of digital technologies for the benefit of all.

Hebei Province has solidified its position as a global hub for scientific and technological innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), according to senior officials. The province’s advancements have not only fueled regional development but also strengthened international cooperation. A recent press conference by the Information Office of the Hebei Provincial People’s Government revealed that Hebei’s R&D expenditure soared to 96.78 billion yuan ($13.59 billion) in 2024, ranking 13th nationally and reflecting a 52.5% increase from the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016–2020). The value of technology contracts surged to 197.14 billion yuan, 3.53 times higher than the previous period. Hebei is now home to over 15,000 national high-tech enterprises and more than 127,000 provincial-level sci-tech SMEs, with five local firms achieving global unicorn status this year. The province’s integration with Beijing and Tianjin has deepened, with Hebei absorbing 75.53 billion yuan in technology contracts from Beijing in 2024, the highest nationwide. The Xiong’an New Area has emerged as a key innovation hub, hosting over 200 enterprises in its Zhongguancun Science Park and attracting foreign talent through streamlined services. Notable breakthroughs include the world’s first RISC-V kernel super SIM chip by Xiong’an XinSheng Technology and HBIS Group’s leading hydrogen metallurgy projects. Hebei has also expanded its international collaboration, establishing joint laboratories with Serbia and Brazil. These achievements underscore Hebei’s growing role in global sci-tech cooperation and its commitment to driving high-quality development through innovation.

Beijing’s Changping district is poised to become a global leader in science and technology as several national-level laboratories from top institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University relocate to the area. This strategic move aligns with Beijing’s broader ambition to establish itself as a hub for innovation and technological advancement. Liu Xiaodong, deputy Party chief and head of Changping district, emphasized that the relocation is a significant step in implementing both the city’s development strategy and the nation’s innovation goals. ‘Changping is set to become a new high-tech engine for China and the world,’ Liu stated. Situated adjacent to Haidian, Beijing’s high-tech center, Changping already hosts one-third of the city’s national-level laboratories and boasts the largest concentration of universities and working-age talent in the capital. The district has drawn inspiration from globally renowned university towns like Stanford in the U.S. and Cambridge in the U.K. to develop its own ‘scientist towns’ in Nankou and Machikou. In Nankou, Tsinghua University has collaborated with the district to establish a major national research base, with the first phase already operational and the second phase nearing completion. Meanwhile, Machikou is being developed in partnership with Peking University’s ‘New Campus + New Engineering’ initiative, with the first nine facilities expected to be completed by year-end. The district has also focused on urban renewal and industrial heritage preservation, repurposing old factory buildings to reduce carbon emissions and meet green development goals. The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation recently held its annual meeting in Changping, further highlighting the district’s growing prominence on the global stage. Ebba Lund, the organization’s CEO, praised Changping as a catalyst for international exchanges and a model for science park development worldwide. Local high-tech companies, such as MicroCyto, have also benefited from the district’s innovation network, which includes expert teams from Peking University and numerous startups. With its ambitious plans and strategic partnerships, Changping is well on its way to becoming a world-class innovation engine, driving regional and national development.

The global energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with low-carbon hydrogen emerging as a cornerstone of decarbonization efforts. While most hydrogen is currently produced from fossil fuels, the demand for low-carbon hydrogen is projected to skyrocket, with the market expected to grow from $26.39 billion in 2024 to $113.1 billion by 2034. At the forefront of this burgeoning hydrogen economy is China, which has rapidly become a dominant force in the global electrolyzer market, a critical component for hydrogen production. Over the past six years, Chinese firms have increased their share of global electrolyzer manufacturing capacity from 5% to 60%, with six of the top ten manufacturers now based in China. China’s dominance is particularly evident in alkaline (AWE) technology, where it controls 85% of global manufacturing capacity, thanks to over 40 years of experience and a highly integrated supply chain. While European and US companies have traditionally led in proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, China is closing the gap through substantial state subsidies, reducing PEM electrolyzer prices by 40% between 2022 and 2024. By 2024, China not only became the world’s leading hydrogen producer but also accounted for nearly half of global green hydrogen output. This expansion is part of a deliberate national strategy, mirroring China’s earlier successes in solar PV and wind turbine sectors. However, challenges such as overcapacity, low efficiency, and limited technological adaptability persist, creating opportunities for alternative technologies and international partnerships. China’s hydrogen strategy, codified in the Hydrogen Industry Medium-and Long-Term Plan (2021–2035), aims for 50,000 fuel-cell vehicles, a nationwide refueling network, and significant low-carbon hydrogen output by 2024. State-owned enterprises like Sinopec and CNPC, along with major automakers such as SAIC Motor and BAIC Group, are heavily investing in hydrogen development. Chinese firms are also exporting hydrogen technology globally, with projects in countries like Namibia. Despite its dominance, China’s overcapacity and technological limitations highlight the need for innovation in next-generation solutions like solid oxide electrolyte (SOE) technology, which shows promise in industrial decarbonization and powering data centers. As the hydrogen sector evolves, investing in alternative technologies and diversified partnerships will be crucial for a resilient and sustainable hydrogen future.

HRC Group, a global leader in composite-material solutions, unveiled its cutting-edge LEU100 drone at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on November 5, 2025. The drone, designed for low-altitude mobility, marks a significant step in the company’s expansion into China’s burgeoning drone market. The LEU100 boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 140kg, a range of 200km, and a payload capacity of 55kg. Its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) capabilities make it ideal for diverse applications, including logistics, medical rescue, disaster relief, and remote sensing. HRC Group’s expertise in carbon-fiber composites played a pivotal role in the drone’s development, ensuring lightweight yet durable construction. Ge Hongyi, HRC Group’s Vice President and CFO, emphasized the material’s advantages, noting its high strength and low energy consumption. He also highlighted the company’s decade-long experience in applying carbon-fiber composites to automotive structures, which has driven exponential sales growth. Ge expressed optimism about China’s low-altitude economy, citing the country’s leadership in the sector and the potential for innovative products. Beyond the LEU100, HRC Group showcased its carbon-fiber applications in automotive and commercial aircraft components. The company, a six-time CIIE exhibitor, praised the expo as a diverse and international platform that aligns with its global market strategy. Ge underscored the event’s role in demonstrating China’s commitment to openness and fostering industry growth.