Artificial intelligence is reshaping daily life and production, while job creation, summer consumption, and robust trade figures highlight China's economic momentum. Since July, regions across the country have aggressively pursued innovation, with a transition from old to new growth drivers steering the economy toward high-quality development.
AI Accelerates Across Industries
Headquartered in Shanghai's Caohejing Development Zone, Haizhi Online has launched a manufacturing AI agent now handling tasks like drawing analysis, process evaluation, quotation analysis, and supplier screening. For a local equipment manufacturer, this AI reduced manual work by over 40 hours in processes like drawing review and initial assessment, cutting handover time by more than 25%. Currently, AI adoption among China's large-scale industrial enterprises exceeds 30%, with overall penetration in key industries surpassing 80%. Humanoid robots are entering factories and workshops, as AI evolves from simple communication to practical action.
In Anhui, the government provides "scenarios" while companies take the lead, using shared urban resources to test and iterate technology. In Guizhou, "computing power advantages" empower specialty industries with low-cost computing support for innovation. In Shanghai, AI labs collaborate with universities, research institutes, hospitals, and industry partners to release joint scientific innovation results. AI technology is becoming ubiquitous, aiding diverse sectors.
Robots are progressing from human-like forms to practical helpers. At Beijing-based physical AI firm Guanglun Intelligent, engineers convert real-world object properties into computable simulation parameters, placing them in virtual environments to train robots. Company head Yang Haibo explains that this system provides a foundation for robots to transition from labs to industrial, manufacturing, and logistics settings, with future applications extending to open service environments.
From frontier exploration to industrial practice, AI is empowering various industries in different forms. As applications deepen and ecosystems improve, AI will consistently support high-quality development.
Expanding Job Opportunities and Quality
On July 25, Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area hosted a smart manufacturing job fair, with over 80 companies offering 3,000+ positions, attracting 2,000+ job seekers. Unlike traditional fairs, this event combined "specialized recruitment, public services, live-streamed job introductions, and legal education." Skill trainers in smart manufacturing demonstrated programming and equipment debugging, drawing crowds who practiced hands-on, with some even signing up for follow-up training courses.
Chongqing's Human Resources and Social Security Bureau Deputy Director Li Linfeng says the city is running a "100-day million-job recruitment drive" to connect graduates, migrant workers, and other key groups with employers, promoting efficient matching. Across China, regions are exploring various channels to boost employment potential: In Suzhou, Jiangsu, a "talent night market" brings jobs to commercial streets and tourist spots, allowing job seekers to "find work while shopping." In Wuhan, Hubei, specialized graduate recruitment events continue. In Xi'an, Shaanxi, a service campaign targets job expansion, entrepreneurship support, skills training, hardship assistance, and rights protection, upgrading the full-cycle employment service for youth.
In Qingdao, Shandong, recent graduate Wei Ziqing is settling into her single apartment in the "Jiuxiangjia" community. During her job search, she worried about high rental costs, but now benefits from local youth employment and housing policies, receiving a rent-free talent apartment and securing a job with a local company. "Without rent pressure, I can focus on my work and feel secure here," she says.
Employment is the foundation of people's livelihoods. Regions are implementing robust, practical, and supportive measures to improve job quality and quantity. Sustained efforts are needed to manage this "biggest livelihood" and boost employment and income for key groups.
Summer Consumption Fuels Seasonal Economic Vitality
Tibet's cool summer climate attracts families seeking relief from the heat. In Linzhi's Medog County, lush forests and rushing rivers captivate visitors. Beijing middle school student Gong Bochen, traveling with parents, marvels, "Geography from textbooks comes to life, from snowy mountains to banana groves—it's like time travel." A Tibet Tourism official says the region has moved beyond simple sightseeing into immersive experiences, cultural entertainment, and urban exploration, with diverse summer tourism products driving a thriving market.
Since July, regions have boosted summer consumption: In Shanghai, cultural events like "Museum Nights" and immersive performances expand. In Beijing, new activities like "night climbing" and "water parks" emerge. In Ezhou, Hubei, the "night economy" shifts to include food, travel, shopping, entertainment, sports, exhibitions, and performances. This summer, water-based getaways, rural study tours, and night-time economies are flourishing, fueling new consumption drivers and boosting accommodation and specialty product sales.
Sports events also energize the economy. In Baoji, Shaanxi, provincial-level mass sports leagues and youth football competitions are ongoing. Chencang District official Yang Ligang notes that frequent events directly drive spending on venue rentals and sports equipment, making diverse competitions a powerful consumption catalyst.
In summer consumption, regions are seizing the golden period. From bustling night markets to crowded movie theaters, from cool summer travel spots to popular study tours, the summer economy radiates vitality, offering diverse consumption experiences.
Foreign Trade Shows Steady Growth
At Lenovo's Southern Smart Manufacturing Base, batches of AI-powered computers are being assembled and shipped overseas. "Global tech trends drive product upgrades, leading to sustained international orders," says Lenovo's customs manager Yin Qinghua. Guangdong's foreign trade "circle of friends" is expanding rapidly. "Local industrial clusters precisely adapt to different market demands, attracting global consumers," explains Guangzhou Customs Deputy Director Huang Bin. "Additionally, hundreds of trade routes from ports like Nansha enable efficient circulation, facilitating a 'two-way flow' of quality goods."
Despite a complex external environment, China's foreign trade shows "stable volume, quality improvement, and strong resilience." General Administration of Customs data shows first-half goods trade reached 25.47 trillion yuan, a historical high exceeding 25 trillion yuan for the first time, up 16.9% year-on-year, solidifying its position as the world's largest goods trader. This performance highlights effective efforts to stabilize scale and optimize structure.
Zhejiang's mechanical and electrical product exports are robust, with a green and intelligent trend. Guangdong's exports of drones, high-end machine tools, and industrial robots are growing year-on-year. China-Europe Railway Express covers 53 major categories and over 50,000 product types, with its cargo value share of total China-EU trade increasing annually. A Zhejiang official says next steps include ensuring direct access to business-friendly policies, helping companies penetrate international markets, and cultivating new growth areas for foreign trade to promote steady progress.
Foreign trade is a key window into economic resilience. Currently, China's trade is growing strongly and steadily. Regions and departments must continue implementing practical policies and improving services to stabilize exports, expand imports, and maintain this positive momentum.
Reporters: Liu Tong, Jiang Mengchen, Wei Yijun. Poster design: Hu Ge.
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