World Intelligence Expo 2024 opens in Tianjin

The 2024 World Intelligent Industry Expo opened in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Thursday, focusing on cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, intelligent connected vehicles, and smart manufacturing.

With the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver", the expo is jointly hosted by Tianjin and southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, combining the former World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin and the Smart China Expo in Chongqing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the three-day event on the same day.

Covering an exhibition area of 100,000 square meters, the expo features 10 themed exhibition areas showcasing new products, new technologies and new achievements of intelligent technology.

More than 550 enterprises and organizations are participating in the event, with attendees from 49 countries and regions discussing topics related to AI.

Marcus, a German exhibitor, expressed his interest in entering China's vigorously developing low-altitude economy sector.

"This is actually our first time here participating in this exhibition, and it is an honor for us to be here. And we want to participate right now in the very first minute of that new business because China is very, very supportive and helps us a lot in that market as well. That is the reason why we are looking for a Chinese place to find our facility a place, to produce all the equipment and also to the development in China," said Marcus.

The expo will unveil 94 new products, technologies, and achievements, with 48 of them making their debut. Additionally, events and activities like the World Intelligent Driving Challenge and the 2024 International Conference on Smart Sport will be held on the sidelines of the expo.

World Intelligence Expo 2024 opens in Tianjin

World Intelligence Expo 2024 opens in Tianjin

World Intelligence Expo 2024 opens in Tianjin

World Intelligence Expo 2024 opens in Tianjin

A group of Japanese people gathered on Thursday in Tokyo to protest the government's ongoing push to expand military capabilities, including steps that could erode Japan's postwar pacifist principles.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in a recent program that Japan should discuss policies related to nuclear weapons without any taboos, triggering strong concern within Japan and from the international community.

During the protest, people voiced strong opposition to the government's defense strategies, including potential changes to Japan's three non-nuclear principles, under which the country pledges not to possess, produce or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons.

"Japan has always identified itself as the world's only victim of atomic bombings. Therefore, Japan must resolutely abide by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles it has upheld thus far," said a protester.

Other protesters criticized the government's broader military buildup, arguing that it contradicts the nation's pacifist constitution, such as boosting the "enemy base strike capability," which refers to Japan's ability to launch counterstrikes against adversary bases before actual damage occurs, if it determines that an attack is imminent.

"Although the government claims this is for 'defense,' it is actually violating Article 9 (the 'peace clause' that renounces war and bans 'war potential') of the Japanese Constitution. For instance, it is enhancing the 'enemy base strike capability.' Despite its repeated claim to strictly observe the 'exclusively defense-oriented' principle, the Japanese government has continuously deployed these offensive weapons. I think these actions are highly problematic," said a protester.

"Absolutely, we cannot allow this [military expansion] to happen. Young people today do not know about the history. Unlike in China, Japan lacks a systematic educational approach to teaching the realities of wartime history. Therefore, we must constantly tell young people about the devastating and tragic consequences of war. I hope that today's politicians, such as [Japanese Prime Minister Sanae] Takaichi and Koizumi, will seriously study the history of the Showa era," said another protester.

Japanese protest against gov't military expansion push