China's AI-powered factories are driving the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, marked by the rapid rise of "lighthouse factories," the world's most advanced production facilities.
This year, the World Economic Forum recognized 189 lighthouse factories worldwide, with an impressive 80 based in China.
One of them is a chiller factory operated by Chinese home appliances maker Midea Group in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, which has leveraged AI technologies to streamline complex processes, and enhance design and planning efficiencies.
The factory specializes in large central air conditioning systems, widely used in airports and industrial plants, with 80 percent of its products customized. To meet rising demand and the shift toward tailored orders, it integrates AI algorithms with its self-developed chiller selector data platform and smart management system, to optimize selection and design.
According to Sam Luo, research and development director of Midea Building Technologies Chiller Product Company, once they know a client's needs, they will input data into the system, which has significantly shortened product design time from at least a week to within an hour.
"This boosts efficiency, reduces error rate, and makes it easier for standardized production later on," he added.
Meanwhile, technicians use augmented reality (AR) glasses to efficiently complete hundreds of intricate wiring tasks in the production of core components.
The AR technology also assists in technician training, said Huang Xuesong, manufacturing center director of Midea Building Technologies Chiller Product Company.
"This technology helps our employees learn skills more quickly. It helps improve the wiring pass rate by 30 percent. What used to take a skilled worker about 30 to 45 days to master now takes basically seven days," he said.
Inside the factory's smart production workshop, an advanced digital management platform uses big data and simulation technologies for real-time monitoring, while automated equipment precisely allocates materials.
The plant also utilizes industrial robots for welding large components and deploys numerous sensors to collect data, alongside advanced AI technologies such as machine learning, to optimize production processes.
Local officials said the Midea factory's innovations in smart manufacturing are crucial for stimulating digital transformation among other enterprises across Chongqing.
"Midea's 'lighthouse factory', as the municipality's first lighthouse factory, sets a great example for other small and medium-sized enterprises and the whole industrial chain, to apply AI across multiple scenarios, to boost the overall competitiveness of Chongqing's manufacturing businesses," said Zuo Yijun, director of intelligent technology division at Chongqing Municipal Economic And Information Commission.
China's AI-powered factories drive digital transformation in manufacturing
American singer John Legend expressed his astonishment at the scale and quality of the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala and his honor at being a part of the grand television spectacle which has been recognized as the world's most-watched annual TV show.
The hours-long gala was aired on Monday evening on the eve of the Chinese New Year, with a carefully curated line-up of performances, high-tech special effects, and entertaining variety acts guiding viewers towards the new year -- which this year ushered in the Year of the Horse.
As the clock ticked past midnight on Tuesday, Legend took to the stage to perform his chart-topping hit "All of Me", before teaming up with French actress and singer Helene Rolles to deliver a touching rendition of the main theme song of the classic Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast".
In an exclusive interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Legend said he was delighted to participate in the TV extravaganza.
"Wow, I've been so amazed by all the other artists that I've seen. The dancers, the singers, the performers. It's such a beautiful, festive show and I'm so honored to be a part of it," said Legend.
While China's Spring Festival is the most cherished time for celebrating family reunions and making people-to-people connections, Legend felt the message of love in his hit song 'All of Me' was especially fitting for the occasion, and shared the story behind how the classic 2013 hit was born.
"These songs are all about love, and I think music is really in a lot of ways about celebrating love and celebrating connection and celebrating our shared humanity. And I think it's a great, great way to bring in the new year here in China. I'm doing 'All of Me' at this performance. And no matter where I perform 'All of Me' around the world, people sing along. People feel connected to the song, people have memories associated with the song, whether it's their wedding or their first date or whatever feelings they have about love and relationships, that song has meant a lot to a lot of people all around the world, and it just shows you that deep down, we're all the same," he said.
"I wrote it right before I got married to my wife and she did cry the first time she heard it, and the first time I sang it in front of an audience was at our wedding. And we filmed the music video that same week in Italy during the week of our wedding. And so it will always be really meaningful to me, but I'm grateful that it's so meaningful to other people as well," he added.
In addition to Legend, Irish pop group Westlife also performed during the gala, as they gave an entertaining version of their iconic ballad, "My Love", while veteran U.S. singer Lionel Ritchie was among the other international stars who appeared in an earlier segment.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for the Chinese people, and watching the Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan", is a cherished part of the celebrations every year in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes.
Since first being broadcast in 1983, the gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.
US singing star John Legend shares honor at being part of 2026 Spring Festival Gala
