The southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen is ramping up efforts to accelerate smart city construction with measures to foster artificial intelligence (AI) industry development.
In Shenzhen, along a stretch of sidewalk are 5G-powered streetlights which are mounted with LED screens, cameras, and microphones. The poles can give out voice alerts when there is illegal parking or littering, and can keep an eye on traffic, air quality, and noise levels.
Besides, the city's subway riders don't need a metro card or phone, but their face to make a payment. And there are self-service kiosks in subway stations, which use speech recognition, AI, and biometric tech to offer assistance to passengers.
The digital transformation of infrastructure is likely to speed up in Shenzhen, as the city, which is already home to over 2,000 AI companies, announced in December 2024 a slew of measures to build itself into a pioneer city for AI.
In a recent interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), a local official elaborated on the incentives Shenzhen has launched to encourage the development of AI sector in the city.
"The new measures are all about making computing, models and data more affordable for businesses. The next step is to lower AI deployment costs across industries. For example, 'model coupons' will help save on AI models, and the government is setting aside up to 50 million RMB each year to fund scalable AI solutions. In industrial sectors, up to 100 million RMB will go towards supporting AI-driven projects. When it comes to smart products, there's strong backing for AI hardware and software, like robots, AI PCs, and wearables, with rewards of up to three million RMB for top-selling products. To help startups, small businesses will get rent exemptions for six months to three years, along with full support in computing, data, funding and talent. Plus, the government is teaming up with private capital to create a trillion-RMB AI ecosystem and a 10-billion RMB fund for AI and robotics, all while providing comprehensive support for talent," said Lin Yi, director of Shenzhen Artificial Intelligence Industry Office.
China's tech hub trailblazing AI-powered smart city construction
The ongoing military exercise around Taiwan Island conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is a necessary measure to maintain peace and defend justice, Fred Tzou, deputy secretary general of the U.S.-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said on Monday.
The Eastern Theater Command of the PLA on Monday started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island.
Tzou said the drill is a powerful response to recent U.S. arms sales plan to Taiwan totaling over 11 billion U.S. dollars.
"The root cause of the tensions across the Taiwan Strait is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities refuse to admit the 1992 Consensus and the one-China principle. They seek separation in collusion with external forces and by use of military means. They heap up malicious slander and attacks against the mainland. They claim to be willing to improve the cross-Strait ties, but shows no sincerity in action. The arms sales with the United States this time infringe upon the peace and stability across the Strait and Taiwan people's interests," he said.
"As the spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command said, the drill named 'Justice Mission 2025' is a stern warning to Taiwan separatist forces and external interference. It is also a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and uphold national unity," said Tzou.
Tzou said the United States needs to work with China and respect China's core interests for common prosperity.
"The total amount of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan this time exceeds 11 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new record. In fact, such act constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental spirit of the three joint communiques between the United States and China, especially the August 17 Communique released in 1982," he said.
"Confrontation between China and the United States over the Taiwan issue does not serve U.S. interests. The two countries share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation. China and the United States could become partners and friends and achieve mutual success and common prosperity," said Tzou.
Justice Mission 2025 aims at defending justice: expert
