China's first five-star 5G factory has integrated 5G technology throughout its production operations, bolstering efficiency while cutting down on carbon emissions.
In August 30, Chinese tech company Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Corporation (ZTE)'s Nanjing Smart Binjiang 5G Factory was certified by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.
It is an intelligent manufacturing base that produces 5G base stations, servers, and storage devices. The factory has a full coverage of 5G network. Material transport, product assembly, quality inspection, and equipment maintenance are all automated through the use of 5G network.
"The Binjiang 5G Factory has over 120 5G innovative applications across 24 categories, spanning the entire production process. All equipment on-site is connected on the basis of 5G technology. The use of 5G has supported the full production process of 5G base station products," said Meng Xiaobin, chief planning engineer of the industrial digitalization department at ZTE.
According to Meng, thanks to the 5G upgrade and transformation, the factory has seen substantial improvements in its automation efficiency, process level, and production management.
The total output value of the factory has increased by 41 percent, and the per capita output value has risen by 81 percent. The product delivery cycle has decreased from the previous 20 days to 14 days, and carbon emissions have decreased by 29 percent.
Shen Bin, deputy secretary-general of the Alliance of Industrial Internet, said that there are multiple requirements for the factory to become a five-star 5G factory.
"The construction of a five-star 5G factory requires that the 5G network coverage within the factory should not be less than 99 percent. The connectivity rate of critical equipment connected to the 5G network should stay above 80 percent. Production services need to make full use of artificial intelligence technology, while the deployment of 5G+industrial Internet application scenarios should be comprehensive and fully covered," said Shen.
According to Shen, the assessment of a 5G factory includes five key categories: infrastructure construction, on-site upgrades, critical process applications, network security measures, and overall construction value.
Apart from factors like 5G network coverage and connectivity rates, evaluations of 5G factories also prioritize the utilization of 5G in essential production processes, said Shen.
China’s first five-star 5G factory improves productivity, lowers carbon emissions
A bustling international coffee market has brewed up interest among crowds of consumers in Beijing during the 2024 Financial Street Forum Shopping Season, which started on Thursday.
The shopping season is being held alongside the ongoing Financial Street Forum in the city's central Xicheng District, running from Friday to Sunday. Other events attracting visitors during the season are a Huawei product roadshow, an outdoor auto show, and discount voucher giveaways.
The FS Coffee Gala has proven to be the highlight and has brought together more than 70 coffee, beverage and dessert brands from home and abroad, and gathered over 50 coffee shops across the district to join the promotional session.
"Right now, we are selling one spoon of tiramisu for 80 yuan (about 11.26 U.S. dollars). Customers can add 48 yuan, so 128 yuan [in total] with the original price, and we are at a 20-percent discount for food and drinks in our restaurant," said a vendor at the event.
During this period, Xicheng District will distribute vouchers to the public, providing benefits through various platforms. Given its location on Financial Street, many office workers are gathering during lunchtime.
"During the Financial Street Forum Shopping Season, we've planned the Financial Street International Coffee Festival for the general public. This includes a coffee market with over 70 coffee, dessert, bakery, and creative brands participating, as well as a coffee and dessert competition where regular consumers serve as judges," said Liu Jing, chief operating officer of the Beijing section of Time Out, a leading global entertainment brand.
Among the Xicheng coffee shops that joined the event, hidden in the northwest corner of the first floor of the historic Baita Temple Pharmacy, Yao Cafe provides visitors with a unique tasting experience by mixing herbal medicine and coffee beans.
"I'm from Zhejiang, and this is my first visit here. I ordered a cup of coffee that contains ingredients from Chinese medicine to soothe the throat," said a consumer at the shop.
Economists said the shopping season has taken the Financial Street beyond its role as a professional exchange platform for financial industry practitioners, becoming a place for the general public to share joy.
"The government should also consider rolling out policies from two sides. From the demand side, to help our consumers have more disposable income to spend. And the same time, also consider to have some policies supporting our supply side [by offering] those companies in the market subsidies or tax benefits, all sorts of policies to help them have a sustainable growth in the market," said Denis MK Cheng, consumer sector leader of consulting firm EY Greater China.
Coffee gala buzzes as Beijing's Financial Street Forum kicks off shopping season
