AI, 5G-A, robotics to support World Internet Conference summit in east China

As tech executives and developers gather for the upcoming internet summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies have been deployed to ensure a smooth event.

From traffic control and power grids to telecommunications, local authorities in Wuzhen have harnessed smart infrastructure to secure the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, scheduled for Nov 2 to 5.

Robots have been deployed to maintain traffic order at intersections throughout the town. Linked directly with traffic signals, the units can direct traffic, guide non-motorized transport, and assist pedestrians in crossing safely.

"The driverless vehicles and robots operate in coordination with traffic signals, and there is also a collaborative mechanism among the unmanned devices themselves. With this unmanned police force, we can deploy manpower more scientifically, and this two-way interaction significantly enhances management efficiency and service quality," said Song Yang, deputy head of the traffic management detachment of Tongxiang Public Security Bureau.

Inside a power distribution room for the Light of Internet Exhibition, grid operators use AI glasses to streamline circuit checks into a digital checklist, allowing workers to follow through step by step. Meanwhile, inspection robot dogs and humanoid robots have taken on heavy-duty tasks in high-voltage areas.

"Robot dogs and robots replace workers in performing high-intensity, repetitive tasks that previously required on-site manual labor. They primarily carry out inspection and infrared thermal imaging of power supply equipment in substations. They boost efficiency and guarantee reliable power supply for the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit," said Liu Junnan, an employee of State Grid Tongxiang Power Supply Company.

Beyond transport and electricity, the town-wide 5G-A super uplink network has been deployed to support 4K live broadcasts, AI-guided tours, and high-bandwidth data transmission for embodied AI robots.

"With the deployment of the 5G-A network, the concurrency capacity of wireless terminal in these venues has increased by about 2.5 times from previous events. In particular, the Light of Internet Exhibition Hall can support around 10,000 people simultaneously using mobile phones and other wireless terminals for communication and data transmission," said Dai Shiyu, an employee at the network department of China Mobile Jiaxing Branch.

The summit will draw Chinese and international participants for discussions on innovation, security governance, cultural exchanges and international cooperation.

It will feature 27 sub-forums, with topics including trust, connectivity and interoperability among AI agents, as well as robotics, embodied AI and spatiotemporal intelligence. Cyberspace cooperation under the Global Governance Initiative will also feature in the discussions.

AI, 5G-A, robotics to support World Internet Conference summit in east China

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"China Haul" -- a trend of foreign tourists opening their suitcases on social media to show off the Chinese goods they bought during trips to China -- has recently gone viral overseas.

Some joke that "China Haul" sounds like "China good" in Chinese, a fitting description for leisure trips to the country, since tourists often arrive with empty suitcases and leave with them fully stuffed, proving that made-in-China products are indeed good.

Opening a suitcase to show off purchases made in China is one of the most popular ways German tourists share their trips. Alexander Haase has traveled to Beijing four times over the past year, and buying Chinese tech products has been a must every time. His suitcase reads like a continuously updated list of Chinese tech products.

"In the past 12 months alone, I've been to China four times. What I bought are mostly high-tech products. For example, I bought a Huawei laptop, and AI glasses. In short, all the latest high-tech products," said Haase.

Haase's shopping list directly reflects the popularity of Chinese tech products among German tourists. Having visited China many times over more than two decades, he has witnessed not only the iteration of products but also the overall upgrading of the urban environment and digital infrastructure.

For him, buying tech products in China is no longer a side activity but an indispensable part of the trip. This change is also appearing among more German tourists.

German travel industry insiders have also observed that China's appeal to young people has moved beyond traditional sightseeing of historic sites; experiencing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots up close is becoming a new reason to visit China.

"The development of China's high and new technologies is a very important element attracting young people from abroad. For example, robots spark their greater interest in learning more about China. Thanks to the visa-free policy, young German tour groups can travel to China at any time, just as they please," said Tang Huiying, general manager of a German youth travel agency.

According to German travel industry insiders, German tourists visiting China in 2026 are expected to reach between 500,000 to 600,000. For frequent travelers like Wolfgang Bednarek, who has visited China many times, China's charm is not one-dimensional but a comprehensive appeal formed by the combination of multiple experiences.

"I have traveled all over the world, but I have to say that in my heart, China is the most impressive country. China not only has a unique culture and diverse geographical features, but the people there are also a highlight -- an absolute highlight," said Bednarek.

German tourists embrace Chinese high-tech goods, fueling "China Haul" trend online