By using big data and AI technology, China is advancing digitalized and automated agriculture to bring the most cutting-edge technologies down to earth and benefit farmers.
Researchers across the country have been experimenting with autonomous robots and AI-driven large-scale models to transform farms into precise and sustainable technology hubs.
In a laboratory in Beijing, researchers have installed multiple sensors and advanced machinery to develop unmanned farming practices that can reduce costs and increase yields for farmers.
"This is a tomato lab. We installed multiple sensors to track the growth data across the plant's life cycle. The future of facility farming is fully automated and intelligent. Plants cannot speak, so we need a precise model to decode their exact needs, like nutrient formulas, light intensity, water-fertilizer ratios, temperature, and carbon dioxide. Only with the accurate model can we truly achieve autonomous control," said Wei Lingling, Director of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair's Key Laboratory of Leisure Agriculture.
The lab has already developed a remote-control system, which is now being tested in farms across China.
"With this system, we can manage not only local farms, but also remote farms in multiple regions, including Kunshan and Nantong in Jiangsu, Ningbo in Zhejiang, and surrounding areas of Hebei," said Wei.
Another landmark move in smart agriculture is an AI-powered online farming system Xiongxiaonong, which literally means "little farmhand from Xiong'An New Area" in north China's Hebei Province, where the system is being used.
Jointly developed by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Xiong'an New Area and the telecommunication and information technology giant China Telecom, Xiongxiaonong is China's first agriculture-focused large AI model powered by DeepSeek.
"Xiongxiaonong now offers services from agricultural question and answer services and planting decisions to production management and market analysis, providing a full digital service loop. Unlike general AI models, we have tailored this system to Xiong'an's agriculture specialty industries like sweet potatoes, wheat, and tomatoes, building a three-tier knowledge base covering government, businesses, and research institutes. The Xiongxiaonong system bridges data from lab research to real-world farming," said Yang Yi, Deputy Director of the Rural Revitalization Research Institute of China Telecom.
Just one month since its launch, the system has already brought economic benefits to farmers in Xiong'an.
"Last month, the Yangque Lake Xili Agricultural Park in Xiong'an used Xiongxiaonong's price-predicting capabilities to optimize growing conditions and strategically harvested the tomatoes earlier for the market, boosting farmer incomes by nearly 3,000 yuan (about 420 in U.S. dollars) per mu (one-fifteenth hectare)," said Yang.
Scientists have even bigger ambitions, aiming to diagnose crop diseases using a pair of AI-powered glasses. The futuristic invention is only two to three years away from widespread usage, according to an expert.
"Smart agriculture is to have machines work the fields and smart systems optimize decisions on the basis of data. For example, there are plenty of wheat diseases. Before, agricultural technicians had to painstakingly examine every inch of each plant, from bottom to top. If we have a pair of AI glasses, the photos can be transmitted back to us and matched against thousands of images in our database, making disease identification immediately clear," said Xu Shiwei, research fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Information under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
China advances automated, digitalized agriculture with AI
China advances automated, digitalized agriculture with AI
Chinese President Xi Jinping's just concluded state visit to Russia -- where he also attended the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War -- has been highlighted as a trip of remembering history to illuminate the future.
President Xi arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a state visit to Russia and celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.
In a written statement issued upon arrival, Xi said that his visit would inject strong impetus into the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and he looked forward to working with leaders of other countries and the Russian people to deeply commemorate the martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives for the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and send out a strong voice of the times to safeguard international fairness and justice.
Xi's visit came at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marked his 11th visit to Russia since he became the president of China. The two heads of state have met more than 40 times on various occasions over the years.
President Xi and President Putin held small-group and large-group talks at the Kremlin on Thursday.
"Esteemed President Putin, my old friend, I am glad to visit Russia again at your invitation and to attend the celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. At present, in the face of the countercurrent of unilateralism and the act of power politics and bullying in the world, China will join Russia in shouldering the special responsibility as major countries of the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council to promote the correct historical perspective on World War II, safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and the vast number of developing countries, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization," said Xi.
"Esteemed President Xi Jinping, my good friend, the friendship forged between the Russian and Chinese peoples during the difficult years of war is one of the fundamental cornerstones of today's comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between our two countries. We develop our bilateral relations to benefit our peoples, not to target any third party. Building good-neighborly relations, deepening friendship, and expanding cooperation is a shared choice made by Russia and China based on strategic coordination," said Putin.
During his visit, Xi and Putin had in-depth communication on issues of common concern for nearly 10 hours. The most important political outcome of the visit was the signing of a joint statement on deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era by the two heads of state.
Xi and Putin also witnessed exchange of over 20 bilateral cooperation documents.
"In the face of a turbulent and complex international situation, China and Russia must firmly uphold the spirit of lasting bilateral good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation. The two countries should stand together to overcome challenges, comprehensively elevate the level, scope and resilience of China-Russia relations, inject greater stability into world peace and security, and provide stronger momentum for global development and prosperity," said Xi when he and Putin jointly met the press after their talks.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
Xi's attendance at the May 9 Victory Day celebrations once again demonstrated China's commitment to working with other countries to uphold a correct historical perspective on World War II and jointly safeguard the postwar international order. Amid a complex and turbulent international landscape, Xi said, China and Russia must firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law.
Bouquet in hand before the Eternal Flame at the Red Square, President Xi joined President Putin and more than 20 other leaders to lay red flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The solemn ceremony marked a moment of remembrance and tribute to those who perished in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, as Russia celebrated the 80th anniversary of victory in that war on Friday.
This year's commemorations culminated in a grand military parade at the Red Square earlier in the day. At the main viewing stand, Xi and Putin sat side by side and talked from time to time.
Over 11,500 military personnel, including contingents from more than 10 countries, took part in the parade. Among them was the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Xi rose from his seat when the PLA unit passed through the square.
"We highly value the contribution to our common struggle of Allied soldiers, members of the resistance, the courageous people of China, all those who fought for a peaceful future," Putin said in an address ahead of the parade.
During his visit, Xi also had extensive contacts with political leaders from various countries attending the celebrations and held bilateral meetings with several national leaders from three continents, reaching broad consensuses on firmly supporting each other, defending multilateralism and opposing power politics and bullying.
President Xi Jinping first put forward the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind in March 2013 when speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The important concept has since evolved into a vision with global significance.
Remember history to illuminate future -- Xi visits Russia, attends Victory Day commemorations
