Stories from Beijing · China

The 22nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress held its first plenary session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 27th. The session also focused on enhancing the execution of the Party Central Committee's tasks through effective supervision. Gao Lina, deputy director of the Social Law Committee, stated the law aims to improve the social assistance system and protect the bottom line of people's livelihoods. The legislation follows economic and social development milestones achieved since the 18th National Congress. China is establishing a multi-layered social assistance system to transition from survival-based aid to basic protection and risk prevention. Under the new regulations, residents with residence permits can apply for support such as extreme poverty assistance and minimum living guarantees in their place of residence.

China will prohibit the production of vehicles featuring electronic hidden door handles starting January 1, 2027. The ban follows numerous accidents where vehicles caught fire due to these mechanisms. Manufacturers have reportedly responded to consumer feedback regarding this safety issue. The decision follows requirements from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The move addresses growing driver dissatisfaction regarding distractions caused by complex vehicle control functions. The ban aims to improve road safety by reducing driver distraction. Drivers have expressed concerns regarding the safety and usability of touch-based controls. The move follows criticisms of designs, such as those used by Tesla, where touchscreens replace physical controls and require drivers to divert their attention from the road.

A patient named Mr. Non-invasive adaptation fees are priced at 960 yuan per session. These standards facilitate the expansion of BCI implementation from major cities like Beijing and Shanghai to broader hospital networks. Implementation is expanding from Beijing and Shanghai to wider hospital networks. A new device named Otur Ego has been introduced, which is being described as the world's first device that comes close to telepathy. The device uses smart technology and is worn on the head, similar to an headset. The technology reportedly allows for the transmission of thoughts. Researchers have achieved a milestone in brain-computer interface technology. Patients with paralysis have successfully used brain activity to control an on-screen cursor and select comments. This development marks a shift from simple stimulation to direct brain intention.

Ideal Auto CEO Li Xiang stated at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show that the Ideal L9 Livis is at least two generations ahead of the SAIC Volkswagen ID.ERA 9X. SAIC Volkswagen marketing executive Li Jun responded by contesting the claim, noting Li Auto's advantages are limited to pricing and specific factors. Li Jun, Executive Director of Brand Marketing for SAIC Volkswagen, directly responded to Li Xiang's claim that the Li L9 Livis is two generations ahead of the ID.ERA 9X. Li Jun, SAIC Volkswagen's Executive Director of Brand Marketing, issued a direct rebuttal backstage at the SAIC Volkswagen press conference. Li Jun argued that the perceived technological lead is limited to two specific areas, primarily pricing.

Hawk technology allows mobile phone systems to provide forged latitude and longitude coordinates instead of real locations when apps request positioning. A new technology called Hawk allows for silent copying of contact files from mobile devices. The technology can link virtual locations with real network IP addresses or hotspot information through big data comparison. This process can potentially expose the location of military facilities. A technology known as Hawk can transform devices into intelligence-gathering tools by enabling precise location spoofing. The spoofing can simulate precise coordinates for military facilities and surrounding environmental features. The technology poses a risk of exposing sensitive details such as specific work locations.

China has removed Shuo Chuo Chua, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, from its sanctions list. The South China Morning Post reported the change. Chua was originally placed on the list five years ago following a motion he submitted as a member of parliament regarding the Uyghur genocide in Xinjiang. He was also a proponent of strengthening ties with Taiwan.

A new lighting drone capable of operating in harsh electromagnetic environments was showcased.

A court ruled that an IoT company's lawsuit against a former technical director, Zhao, for violating non-compete obligations failed. The court ruled the company's refusal to pay the individual, identified as Li, lacked reasonable basis under the existing labor contract. The court found that employers cannot use the lack of trade secret access as a basis to refuse payments. Judge assistant Huang Qiuyue analyzed that extending non-compete restrictions to workers without access to commercial secrets is improper. The ruling supports workers' requests to invalidate non-compete clauses when employers fail to provide compensation. The court noted that some employers have improperly conflated trade secrets with the personal knowledge, skills, and experience accumulated by workers.

Chinese universities are implementing a major restructuring of academic programs, including the addition of 11 existing professional categories such as digital trade and smart economy. A Spanish media article suggests that the world's oldest universities may have originated from Chinese academies. A Spanish media article suggests that China's academies, known as 'Shuyuan,' may represent the world's earliest universities. These academies are described as the earliest universities globally, embodying one of the most formal methods of knowledge transmission. The article said the deep connection and affection foreigners feel towards China, stemming from their experiences there. The concept of 'Shuyuan' has significantly influenced traditional Chinese culture. The report highlights China's long-term vision and its people's historical emphasis on education.

Zhang Guofeng reported that researchers have digitized the Diamond Sutra by converting exposed text on rock surfaces into digital information. The process involves high-precision data collection and digital virtual restoration to preserve the scriptures. The project aims to store the text on computers for long-term protection. The project also includes scanning lost cultural relics, such as those from the Longmen Grottoes, to facilitate virtual restoration through local printing.