A variety of new technologies and products transforming traditional manufacturing and metallurgical industries are on display at the ongoing 2024 Global Industrial Internet Conference in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province.
One exhibitor is demonstrating how digital twin technology replicates all industrial equipment from their plant in Dalian City, located 400 kilometers away. This technology allows staff to monitor equipment conditions in real-time through data, and visitors can even place remote orders directly on-site.
"Once a customized order is placed, the manufacturing process begins. Here is the production line for seals, where customers can select their preferred logos. During production, digital twin technology presents the procedure live. Look at the robotic arm - it's operating," said Wang Shuya, the exhibitor.
Just a few minutes later, an exquisite seal was produced in Dalian.
Beyond the manufacturing industry, digital technologies are also revolutionizing the traditional metallurgical sector. With 5G technology, mining robots can be operated from more than 100 kilometers away, and data from large-scale industrial models enhances the safety of mining areas.
"We developed an unmanned belt system. This system decreases non-fault-related shutdowns caused by belt failure by over 95 percent," said Sun Wenchu, an exhibitor.
Under the theme of digital transformation, the 2024 Global Industrial Internet Conference, running from Wednesday to Saturday, features an opening ceremony with a keynote forum, a theme exhibition, two special sub-level conferences, 22 special forums, competitions and other activities.
Technologies transforming traditional industries at 2024 Global Industrial Internet Conference
As China's expanding influence in Africa drives growing interest in its culture and language, Tanzania--whose largest trading partner is China--has begun introducing Chinese language courses as early as the primary school level.
In Tanzanian schools, the sight of students learning Chinese is becoming increasingly common. The Confucius Institute, which provides a range of Chinese language programs and scholarships, reports that interest in learning Mandarin among Tanzanians is rising.
According to the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam, approximately 20,000 students are currently enrolled in Chinese language courses across various institutions in Tanzania, with the majority attending higher education institutions.
However, last year, the government introduced Mandarin as a subject at lower levels of education -- a move that has been met with great enthusiasm by many.
"Our school obviously is the first school to concentrate much on Chinese lessons, and most of the parents, they are appreciating [this approach], and they use it to admit their pupils [children] in our school. We started [offering Chinese lessons] for a short period of time, but we have a large number of pupils [students]," said Jane Shao, headmistress of Longquan Bodhi Primary School.
Zhang Xiaozhen, director of Chinese Studies at the Confucius Institute in Dar es Salaam, emphasized the importance of language learning in fostering understanding and strengthening ties between cultures.
"Language is a tool to help each other to understand each other. So, we hope that primary school students, by learning Chinese, that they can understand Chinese. And also, we Chinese people, we also need to learn Swahili so that we can understand each other and strengthen the relationship between our two countries," said Zhang.
The next step in this significant financial initiative could involve establishing primary and secondary schools where all subjects are taught in Chinese, with the aim of equipping young Tanzanians with new skills, access to technology, and business opportunities, thereby fostering stronger relations between the two countries for years to come.
Tanzania introduces Chinese language in primary schools amid growing ties with China
