Information/Technology

People’s Daily recently published an article highlighting the achievements of China’s robotics industry in the humanoid half marathon, emphasizing two key technological advances over the past year.

At the 2026 Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, a Chinese robot named “Lightning,” developed by the “Qitian Dasheng” (Monkey King) team, completed the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds—surpassing the human men’s half-marathon world record and finishing in less than one-third of last year’s winning robot time.

Just one year ago, Chinese robots struggled on the course and were mocked by some foreign media as far from mature. Today, they are capable of stable, high-speed performance, largely due to the effective integration of existing technologies.

Key advancements include:

• BeiDou Navigation System:
  Whereas most robots previously relied on remote control, nearly 40 percent now feature autonomous navigation. BeiDou enables them to follow routes and avoid obstacles without human intervention.
• Liquid Cooling Technology:
  High-speed running can cause joint overheating and mechanical failure. Engineers have adapted mature smartphone liquid-cooling technology to develop a “capillary-level” cooling system, ensuring reliable performance during prolonged, high-intensity operation.

Source: People’s Daily, April 23, 2026
https://www.peopleapp.com/column/30051972714-500007457951

France’s Le Monde reported this week that ordinary Chinese citizens with no criminal or political history are receiving fines through automated facial recognition cameras, marking a notable expansion of the country’s vast surveillance apparatus into everyday life.

For years, many Chinese assumed large-scale monitoring was reserved for political dissidents, NGO workers, or activists. That assumption is now being challenged. Shanghai resident Li Yan (a pseudonym) describes himself as an entirely unremarkable citizen — no political involvement, no suspicious associations. Yet in late March, he received a police text message fining him 50 yuan (approximately $6.90 USD) for briefly riding his bicycle on a sidewalk. No officer stopped him. His bicycle had no license plate. The message cited “electronic technology” as the method of identification. After confirming with police that his face had been automatically matched through a public security camera, Li came to a quiet but unsettling realization: the anonymous space that once allowed people to get away with life’s small imperfections may be disappearing.

Le Monde notes that surveillance cameras now blanket China’s streets, though official numbers are never disclosed. Most citizens had grown accustomed to them, assuming the systems targeted others. But applying facial recognition to petty violations has drawn fresh attention. Notably, apps like WeChat and Alipay already enable near-total movement tracking, and online speech is routinely filtered. When a prominent law professor raised concerns about Beijing’s 2025 unified digital identity system, her social media account was suspended and her posts deleted.

Facial recognition in China already extends far beyond law enforcement — airports like Shanghai Hongqiao allow boarding without tickets, and gyms identify members from several meters away. Shanghai’s police began piloting facial recognition fines for unlicensed vehicles as early as 2017, but the system has since expanded dramatically. In the Xuhui district alone, 120 dedicated cameras now target cycling and scooter violations.

“This is just the beginning,” Li said. “If someone as insignificant as me can be automatically identified on any street, imagine where this is heading.”

Source: Radio France International, April 22, 2026
https://rfi.my/CdPy

China is accelerating the development of “space computing,” an approach that places data centers and AI processing capabilities on satellites, allowing data to be processed directly in orbit rather than transmitted back to Earth.

At the recent “2026 Space Computing Industry Conference,” China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that it will support forward-looking research in space computing technologies and promote the development of an industry ecosystem. China also established its first collaborative platform for the sector—the “Space Computing Professional Committee.”

Space computing enables satellites to analyze and process data in real time, reducing transmission demands and improving efficiency. It includes models such as space (in-orbit) data processing, ground data processing, and integrated space–ground computing networks. Compared with ground-based data centers, space systems offer broader territorial coverage and stronger real-time capabilities.

Although initial costs—such as satellite launches and hardware—are high, long-term advantages include lower energy consumption, thanks to solar power and natural cooling in space, as well as reduced data transmission costs. Estimates suggest that a space-based computing center could reach cost parity with ground-based facilities within about 15 years.

China views space computing as a strategic frontier, driven by rapidly growing demand for computing power in areas such as AI, autonomous driving, and remote sensing. The country is already among the global leaders in deploying space-based computing networks and aims to leverage its early-mover advantage to strengthen its position in next-generation digital and aerospace industries.

Source: People’s Daily, April 10, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0410/c1004-40698717.html

On March 16, China successfully launched the “Hunan University of Science and Technology No. 2” satellite aboard a Kuaizhou-11 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite entered its designated orbit and deployed its solar panels shortly after liftoff. It is China’s first spacecraft designed to extend the lifespan of other satellites by testing in-orbit refueling technologies.

The mission aims to demonstrate how to refuel satellites that have exhausted their fuel, addressing a growing challenge as the number of satellites—especially large constellations—continues to rise. Many satellites remain functional but are retired due to fuel depletion. The project seeks to reduce operational costs and improve the sustainability of space activities. Jointly developed by Hunan University of Science and Technology and a commercial aerospace company, the satellite is equipped with a flexible robotic arm capable of safely docking with target satellites for refueling. The arm mimics the movement of an elephant trunk or octopus tentacle, allowing for adaptable, low-impact contact that reduces the risk of collision.

In addition, the satellite carries an innovative “drag balloon” device designed to help mitigate space debris. The device inflates into a large, lightweight sphere, significantly increasing atmospheric drag and accelerating the reentry of any satellite that is at its final stage. This could shorten the deorbiting process from decades to about one year, offering a low-cost and scalable solution for disposing of defunct satellites and improving long-term orbital sustainability.

Source: People’s Daily, March 23, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/BIG5/n1/2026/0323/c1004-40686768.html

Several leaked internal documents — four to five in total — circulating on overseas social media reveal that China’s central internet regulator and its three major state telecom operators are intensifying control over cross-border internet connections, affecting both businesses and individuals.

On April 2, China’s Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued a notice convening a seminar on “Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on building a strong cyber nation,” requiring attendees to surrender their phones and remain in place. A separate notice from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology called on representatives from the three major telecom operators to attend a related meeting. Both notices referenced cross-border dedicated data lines, and sources told reporters that authorities are now investigating “non-compliant” cross-border connections, including dedicated lines and data center relay links, demanding that responsible parties bring documentation and report back within a set timeframe.

On April 6, a technology company in Suzhou, Jiangsu province received an official notice announcing a special crackdown on cross-border internet access starting April 2026. Under the new rules, non-compliant connections will be cut immediately without any grace period for rectification. A network engineer at the firm, identified by the pseudonym Yu Min, noted the sharp shift in approach: where authorities once issued warnings or allowed time to fix violations, they now cut service outright. He warned the crackdown could expand further.

In Shaanxi province, companies received an emergency notice ordering a blanket ban on all overseas traffic — including connections to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan — and prohibiting VPN and proxy services entirely. Companies must self-audit, and any violations will result in immediate IP blocking with no refunds and no service restoration.

A network technician in Shenzhen told reporters that restrictions on overseas websites have begun appearing across multiple regions in recent days. He noted that in some areas internet speeds are being throttled, VPNs are being detected, and individuals caught circumventing the firewall could face fines or even detention for sharing overseas content domestically.

Source: Radio Free Asia, April 9, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2026/04/09/china-internet-vpn-block-greatfirewall/