Futuristic stage show "Macau 2049" integrates Chinese traditions with advanced technology

"Macau 2049," a large-scale futuristic stage show directed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, integrates Chinese traditions with advanced technology to inject new impetus into the development of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) as a "City of Performing Arts."

The 80-minute show was premiered in Macao on December 15. Marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, it features live performances, highlighting China's intangible cultural heritage in eight parts, with the application of modern technology from 20 countries and regions around the world.

"In 2049, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 50th anniversary of Macao's return to China, a performance like this, unparalleled globally, stands out for its distinctive feature — a dialogue between a 5,000-year-old culture and the advancement of technology and the future. Through our eight segments, it's as if we were embarking on a 12,000-kilometer journey, traversing various cultures from the East, West, South, North and Center, showcasing the brilliant artistic heritage passed down by our ancestors. With the rise of AI and technological advancement, questions arise about whether AI can replace humans. Amidst such debates, we reflect on the choice between reflection and integration, and how to embrace a new era," Zhang said.

"2049 is a great example of celebrating new technology and Chinese tradition," said Sam Renwick, who is responsible for the visual creativity and production of the show.

An ethnic minority Miao folk song was sung in the show. The lighting system, consisting of 108 dynamic mirrors and 72 laser lights, can adjust in real-time according to the on-site environment. The melodious ancient song resonated in perfect harmony with the splendid light show.

"We went to Guizhou several times to study and learn about the unique music of the local musicians, including the enchanting ethnic minority Miao people's folk songs. It is a singing of humanity, which is brave and daring," said Wu Tong, music director of the show.

A popular Yangge folk dance from northern China was showcased to the audience, featuring a distinctive twist from traditional performances. Humanoid robot actors, dressed with red scarves, performed the folk dance with other performers, showing people's love for life as well as sparking people's thoughts about artificial intelligence.

The audience was shocked by the immersive experience created by the art, technology, lighting and sound effects on the stage.

"It is very impressive because you can get to know many ethnic minorities in China, with different dances and songs," said Wong Sok Hei, a local resident.

"It is really impressive to tell Chinese stories with the help of technology," said audience member Sun Liheng from the Chinese mainland.

The show aims to inject new impetus into the development of Macao as a "City of Performing Arts." In Macao, where Eastern and Western cultures blend, it also serves as a platform for showcasing China's intangible cultural heritage to the outside world.

"Macao has always been a trading hub [between the East and the West], not only for goods but also for the exchange of culture, technology and others. It serves as a platform where Eastern and Western cultures converge and spread. We hope to use this platform effectively to promote our excellent Chinese culture," said Leong Wai Man, president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR.

Pansy Ho Chiu-king, producer of the show, expressed the hope that traditional Chinese stories could be passed on through Macao.

"We are very proud. We hope that this will be a very golden card to allow us to tell these traditional Chinese stories. The transformation and changes over the past 25 years are, one might say, unparalleled in the world. Without the support of a powerful motherland, we could not have accomplished this. As this year marks the 25th anniversary of our return, and as we enter a new era, we must bring new developments to Macao," Ho said.

Futuristic stage show "Macau 2049" integrates Chinese traditions with advanced technology

A dedicated training base in southwest China's Sichuan Province is readying embodied artificial intelligence (AI) robots for their entry into multiple sectors, teaching them the essential skills they will need to perform numerous application scenarios in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, urban management and even in emergency response situations.

Based in the city of Mianyang, the Sichuan Embodied Intelligence Robot Training Base has been accelerating robotic learning, algorithmic improvements and capability upgrades to take these robots to the next stage of their development, with the center operating as a comprehensive platform integrating research and development, validation testing, standard-setting and commercialization.

The advanced training ground is expected to address critical bottlenecks facing embodied AI development globally, including a scarcity of real-world training scenarios, insufficient high-quality data, and inadequate testing capabilities in extreme environments.

"The training programs cover a dozen scenarios, like industrial manufacturing, home services, and shopping assistance. The approach here is like an adult teaching a child, providing hands-on instruction to help them acquire more skills," said Zhang Chenchen, the base's technical director.

The novelty element of the robot training base has seen it attract flocks of visitors and professionals from various sectors who are keen to get an up-close look at these AI-powered robots in action and explore their full potential.

"I come from [the nearby city of] Deyang and work in the flexible packaging industry. Robots are very suitable for our current factory production scenarios, such as code-scanning and labeling, material sorting, and material handling," said one interested visitor.

According to staff, the training base has received more than 200 visiting groups during its trial operation over the last two months, with a large number of orders being signed. After the corresponding robots are sufficiently trained, they will be mass-produced and shipped on to the companies.

"This year, numerous policies supporting AI development have been launched at both the national and local levels, which has given us great confidence. Currently, some robots, including those for shopping assistance, and those used in industrial settings, are undergoing preliminary preparations for deployment. We are also accelerating robot training, like getting them into shopping malls, communities, and factories, so that AI technology can empower various industries more quickly," said Zhu Yanchen, the base's brand manager.

Thanks to rapid advancements in technologies such as AI and large language models, China's robotics industry is undergoing a rapid transformation from laboratory research to mass production and applications.

The industry is expected to see a major market boom in the coming years. According to the Chinese Institute of Electronics, China's humanoid robot market is projected to reach 870 billion yuan (approx. 122 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030.

Robot training ground in Sichuan readies robots to enter multiple industries