Hangzhou Asian Games Opens on Sept. 23rd with Digital Torchbearer and Electronic Fireworks
Hangzhou Asian Games Opens on Sept. 23rd with Digital Torchbearer and Electronic Fireworks
The opening ceremony of the Asian Games on September 23rd in Hangzhou, China offered all the staples of a major international sports event, served as a window into China’s post-epidemic era.
In order to reflect the concept of environmental protection, “digital fireworks” were used at the opening ceremony, which were made as close as possible to the effect of physical fireworks by combining visual and auditory experiences.
In a modern take on the traditional lighting of the cauldron, a huge, digitally animated torchbearer “ran” the length of the stadium before settling to loom above the actual torchbearer, China’s Olympic champion swimmer Wang Shun. With the support of internet technology, hundreds of millions of netizens from over 130 countries and regions around the world have become online digital torchbearers, collectively forming the AI “digital persona”.
China sweeps through the gold medals on the opening day of the Asian Games.
Today is the second day of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Currently, China has won 23 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 4 bronze medals, placing them at the top of the medal table.
US Issues Final Rules on Chip Act, Aimed to Contain China
On September 22nd, the US Department of Commerce issued the final rules for the “Chips and Science Act,” introducing national security protection measures. These regulations will prohibit chip companies receiving federal funding in the US to expand production in China or to engage in research cooperation.
Reports suggest that this regulation comes at a time when the Biden administration is preparing to allocate over $52 billion in federal funding and billions in tax breaks to boost the American semiconductor industry.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson explicitly stated that China strongly opposes these measures. The so-called “protective measures” of this Act bear a strong geopolitical undertone, serving as another example of the US engaging in economic coercion. Setting up barriers to normal Sino-US economic, trade, and technological exchanges and cooperation, and undermining China’s legitimate development interests, is neither reasonable nor just.
Growing Concerns Over Processed Food in Chinese Schools
On September 22nd, China’s Ministry of Education issued a statement expressing reservations about the widespread introduction of processed foods in educational institutions. It points out that the promotion of processed foods in schools should be approached with great caution due to the lack of uniform standards, certification systems and traceability mechanisms. This response from the Ministry of Education has received considerable support from parents concerned about their children’s wellbeing.
A major concern raised by parents is the lack of standardised regulations for processed foods. A popular post on Weibo reads: “The purpose of a school canteen is to provide students with safe and fresh meals. If processed food becomes widespread in schools, how can we ensure our children’s nutrition? Parents are also concerned about the high salt and oil content of processed foods, as there are currently no set thresholds for aspects such as ingredient sourcing, food formulation specifications and other related factors.
Parental concerns about the introduction of processed foods in schools also reflect issues of transparency in school meals. As the debate on the inclusion of processed foods in school meals continues, it is clear that balancing nutritional needs, ensuring food safety and addressing parental concerns will be key considerations for educational institutions and relevant authorities in China.