Technology is taking the center stage at the ongoing 21st China International Cartoon and Animation Festival (CICAF) in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, offering visitors lively and engaging experiences. The five-day event, which opened on Thursday, features top Chinese cultural IPs and the fusion of animation and technology, and delivers unique and immersive experiences for global visitors. A special "tech zone" has been established at the premises of the festival this year, inviting visitors to try out AI, VR, AR and various cutting-edge technologies. At the "tech zone", an AI image rendering system attracts significant interest. The system can generate a personalized animated image of users just 20 seconds after capturing their photo, showcasing remarkably similar traits, including even hairstyles. In an interview with China Central Television, the head of the technology company developing the system noted that their IP images can also showcase dynamic effects, saying that these technologies are now commercially available. "We do tailored research and development focused on animation characters in the initial stages. Compared with the cost of using traditional methods, we have reduced the overall costs by 60 to 70 percent," said Qian Chengzhi, head of the technology company.
Another popular product at the "tech zone" is an animation IP toy equipped with a large model system enabling it to interact and communicate with the user, making it a favorite among children.
"They will move once you touch them. These little animals are so cute," said a boy.
"It is so cute and looks just like a real cat. It moves and its eyes blink. I want to play with it every day," said another child visitor, a little girl. The CICAF has become one of China's largest and most influential animation showcases, attracting over 18 million visitors and 21,000 companies from around the world to date.
Technology shines at China's cartoon and animation festival, offers interactive experiences
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
