Stories from Beijing · China

Haier has released a new smart air conditioner named Spartan Eaitau featuring a self-cleaning function. The device includes a battery capacity that provides up to 72 hours of operation, though the brand noted this is without noise cancellation. The unit is currently available in black and white color schemes for approximately $74 on Chinese markets. Future releases are expected to include a blue version. The unit includes a self-cleaning internal block with a freeze cycle and an outdoor module that uses reverse airflow to remove dust from the condenser. A super-fast cooling mode is included, which reportedly provides noticeable results within 10 seconds. The system includes automated maintenance capabilities such as a self-cleaning indoor unit using a freeze cycle. The unit regulates operation based on temperature and external conditions to prevent energy waste and overcooling.

Rail transport services from China to Europe completed more than 4,000 trips during the first quarter of 2021. This figure is considered a record high for the sector. The report noted that transport costs for these services are approximately $4,000 to $5,000. The increase in rail usage follows a shift in merchant preferences toward rail transport earlier in the year.

China's Ministry of Natural Resources reported that 31 provinces have completed natural resource rights registration for 2,419 key areas. The total registered area covers nearly 400,000 square kilometers. National plans for this year include completing registration for the Yangtze River main stream from Chongqing to Shanghai and the central Bohai Sea area. The initiative also targets new national parks, international and national wetlands, and major rivers and lakes. The registration process covers 19 categories of the national economy. China has completed a new vessel capable of carrying 10,800 units of cargo. The completed vessel has a maximum capacity of 10,800 units and incorporates new green technologies. The new vessel can carry up to 10,800 units of diverse models, including light energy vehicles and heavy trucks, and utilizes the latest green technology.

Archaeological evidence suggests Changbai Mountain served as a long-term, high-density habitation site for ancient humans between 220,000 and 13,000 years ago. Chinese social sciences researchers report an increase in archaeological activity regarding the Zhijidong period. Archaeologists have identified an expansion of the Hongshan culture into southwestern regions of China. Chen Xingcan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and director of the Chinese Archaeological Society, stated the discovery reveals a scale and high level of complexity in burial systems. Over 200 distinct types of artifacts were found at the site. This finding extends the known chronological range of the culture. The site contains over 200 burial pits, indicating a large-scale and complex burial system. Findings suggest a mixture of primary and secondary burials dating back to 5000 BCE.

A car carrier ship measuring 230 meters in length is transporting 10,800 vehicles. The vessel utilizes a specialized design to accommodate the high volume of cars. The report notes the cars are loaded using a clever design to fit the capacity. The ship is described as being part of a larger maritime context. The ship features an adjustable deck system where the height can be raised or lowered to accommodate different vehicle sizes. The cargo includes standard family-sized cars arranged in neat rows. The vessel's design allows for efficient loading of high-profile vehicles. A new vessel has been constructed using specialized plating processes to reduce weight for shipboard and garage sections. The ship is designed to transport vehicles powered by light fuels or natural gas (NG).

Li Wenguang, president of Intelligent Driving Products, stated that L3 conditional autonomous driving is a necessary step toward high-level automation. He noted a reliability gap between L2 assisted driving and L3 systems. Current assisted driving systems have accident takeover intervals of tens to hundreds of kilometers, whereas L3 requires hundreds of thousands of kilometers. L4 full autonomous driving requirements are ten times higher than L3 standards. Li Wenguang, president of Yiwang Intelligent Driving, noted that L3 systems require hundreds of thousands of kilometers of reliability compared to the tens or hundreds of kilometers seen in L2 systems.

The China Coast Guard stated it will continue law enforcement activities in the waters of the Diaoyu Islands to maintain national sovereignty and maritime rights. Chen Zhenlin stated that the country aims to improve its comprehensive ability to respond to extreme weather. High-risk areas such as major transportation arteries will receive increased observation to improve early warning delivery to local levels. Volkswagen announced plans to launch 13 new energy vehicle models in the Chinese market by 2026. The company is accelerating its localization of research and development within China to support this expansion. This move aims to build a local partner ecosystem for intelligent new energy transformation. The strategy follows a recent showcase of three new energy models by the German automaker.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Data Bureau issued a joint notice regarding the 2026 Magic Resonance Action. China is promoting synergy between artificial intelligence and data by 2026.

An injured Oriental White Stork was discovered near an air conditioning unit in Beijing. The bird, described as a protected species, was unable to fly and appeared to have fallen from its nest. Rescuers are being contacted to assist the animal. The bird, which is a second-class protected species, reportedly struck a glass window and was unable to fly. Observers noted the bird's presence near a nest located on an external AC unit. Local rescue personnel were contacted to assist the animal. Urban ecological improvements in Beijing have led to the return of several animal species previously unseen in the city. Experts suggest using window stickers or closing curtains when away to prevent birds from colliding with glass walls.

China's Ministry of Transport expects 1.52 billion cross-regional passenger trips during the May 1 holiday period. Rainfall is impacting travel on sections of the G60 Hu-Kong Expressway and G56 Huang-Rui Expressway. Heavy rainfall is affecting travel on some sections of the G60 Hu-Kun Expressway and G56 Hang-Rui Expressway. Travelers are advised to be aware of precipitation impacts and plan their routes accordingly. Northern China is experiencing strong winds, with gusts reaching level 5 to 7 in Inner Mongolia, eastern Heilongjiang, northern Hebei, and southern Liaoning. Precautions against wind are recommended, especially for high-altitude areas. China's cross-regional passenger flow reached an estimated 1.5 billion trips between May 1 and May 4. Daily movement averaged over 300 million people, marking a historical high for the same period.