Reference News Network, January 20 report - On January 18, the website of Uruguay's "Republica" published an article titled "New Technology: An Indispensable Tool in Chinese Society," authored by Leonardo Pérez Pigna. The following is a compilation of the article:
Over the past 20 years, China has made rapid and profound progress in the fields of technology and innovation, evolving from a "world factory" to one of the world's leading technological and innovative powers.
Today, China excels in key areas such as artificial intelligence, communication networks, semiconductors, clean energy, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing, clearly demonstrating the ambition of a global leader.
Technological innovation has been integrated into the daily life of Chinese society. Walking through the streets, one can see various innovative achievements in everyday applications, such as 5G communications, commercial drones for delivery, the Internet of Things, mobile payments, solar panels, and smart cities. In emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, smartphones, and electric vehicles, cities like Beijing are already at the forefront of the daily application of these technologies.
This process has been driven by substantial investment in research and development, as well as continuous support for education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Initiatives such as "Made in China 2025" and the "Digital Silk Road" reflect a long-term strategic vision aimed at consolidating China's technological self-reliance and innovation leadership.
China views technology as a tool for integrating into daily life, not just an engine for the economy or industry. A notable feature is that many innovative achievements have been widely applied and integrated into daily life. Alipay and WeChat Pay are typical examples; people use them to pay for transportation, dining, rent, public services, and even small street vendors. These systems significantly reduce the use of cash and change the way people consume, save, and access financial services.
At the same time, many Chinese cities also serve as urban laboratories. Intelligent traffic lights, sensors for monitoring pollution, energy consumption, and waste, as well as surveillance systems for city security and management, together form an ecosystem aimed at improving the efficiency of public services and quality of life.
Technology has also permeated every corner of the entire transportation system. High-speed trains equipped with electronic ticketing systems and automated control systems, ride-hailing apps, shared bikes, public transport apps, electric vehicles, and smart charging facilities make travel fast, convenient, and highly digitized.
Although the application of artificial intelligence is not always obvious, it has permeated all aspects of daily life: consumer and content recommendations, facial recognition used in buildings and vehicles, and optimization of public and private services. In short, artificial intelligence acts like a silent infrastructure, supporting all aspects of daily life for the Chinese people.
Through this approach, this Asian giant adopts an integrated model when applying technology. In this model, the government, enterprises, and the public constantly interact. The focus is not only on developing advanced technologies but also on their large-scale application and integration into people's daily lives.
China is also expanding its digital influence around the world. Chinese information and communication technology companies provide services to hundreds of millions of users and build digital infrastructure around the world.
China's model not only focuses on developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies but also demonstrates the value of applying artificial intelligence to solve practical problems, such as logistics, transportation, trade, healthcare, and public administration. For Latin America, which has limited resources, this pragmatic logic is particularly important.
China's achievements show that technology can not only be an economic tool but also a social development policy. For Latin America, the challenge is not to replicate the Chinese model but to learn from its principles: technology integration, strategic vision, continuous investment, and practical application in daily life. (Translated by Tian Ce)
On January 19, ships were moored at the container terminal of the Jing Tang Port in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, for loading and unloading operations. (Xinhua News Agency)
Original article: toutiao.com/article/7597327472522166794/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.