“Population loss in small towns is a clear sign of regional demographic imbalance. It not only adds pressure on major cities but also weakens small towns’ ability to support agriculture, rural areas and farmers. Some towns should be restructured, by adjusting the ratio of civil servants to permanent residents, so that more fiscal resources can go toward improving livelihoods.”
Qiu Baoxing, former vice minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, in a September article for Governance, a magazine under People’s Daily
“Consumers are willing to pay a premium for emotional value, and this is perfectly reasonable behavior. People often say the ACGN (animation, comics, games and novels) community has driven the growth of the merchandise economy, which is tied to these fandoms. But in truth, every generation has its own objects of emotional attachment.”
Lao Guoling, distinguished researcher at the Chinese Modernization Institute and director of the E-Commerce Research Center, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, in an interview with Decision Making magazine
“The future of AI trade depends on whether it becomes an open, win-win market or a new, exclusive circle marked by steep technological barriers. The key lies in enabling developing countries to participate in global AI governance and building fair, inclusive international rules for AI trade.”
Jiang Tianjiao, deputy director of the Center for BRICS Studies and a researcher at the Center for Global AI Innovation Governance at Shanghai’s Fudan University, in a September interview with People’s Daily overseas edition
“AI technology has greatly improved research efficiency and iteration speed. National computing and data infrastructure continue to advance, while more enterprises are integrating AI into their core strategies. With effective synergy among policy support, patent deployment, academic research and product application, China’s innovation capacity is expanding in both scale and quality.”
Yao Xu, researcher at the Center for Global AI Innovation Governance, Fudan University, analyzing China’s performance in WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2025, in an interview with People’s Daily overseas edition
“I hope robots in the future are made as simple as possible, like one brain connected by just a few wires, and each arm powered by only one cable.”
Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Robotics, speaking at the Qualcomm 2025 Summit in Beijing, September 24-25, noting that humanoid robots have limited internal space and that too many cables increase the risk of failure
“Big data, the internet, the Internet of Things and AI are all just tools. Traditional industries should embrace these technologies to cut costs and boost production efficiency, not abandon their core business to chase tech for its own sake.”
Cao Dewang, founder of Fuyao Glass, in a recent interview with People’s Daily
“Don’t feel inferior or carry any burden from your past. Everyone makes mistakes, but you’ve experienced more than most people, and that gives you greater insight and wisdom. Don’t waste it. Be grateful, and live like light.”
Yu Donglai, founder of DL Supermarket in Xuchang, Henan Province, speaking to newly released inmates the company plans to hire
“We should fully recognize the valuable qualities of grassroots internet celebrities and the major contributions they’ve made to local tourism. But a city’s cultural tourism can’t rely solely on one individual. What’s needed is a sustainable, institutional model for tourism development.”
Li Qinyu, chief commentator at news portal The Paper, on the rise of grassroots street vendors and snack sellers who have become viral tourism ambassadors, like “Chicken Cutlet Brother” (Li Junyong) in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province
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