China embraces smart home revolution with AI-integrated appliances

China's home appliance manufacturers are rapidly embracing a smart home revolution by integrating artificial intelligence, leading to a surge in demand for innovative products among consumers.

With the introduction of new subsidies and policies, upgrading homes with cutting-edge technology has never been easier in China, where smart home gadgets are gaining immense popularity.

The concept of controlling electronics with voice commands may still feel futuristic to many, but the essence of a smart home lies in automation -- anticipating and fulfilling the needs of users seamlessly, according to industry insiders.

"This washing machine has a feature of automation. After washing, clothes usually need to be hung up to dry. After the laundry cycle completes, the hanger detects this and automatically lowers itself when the washing machine door is opened," said He Peng, a product specialist of Xiaomi.

"This smart door lock seamlessly integrates with various devices. For instance, upon arrival, the speaker can greet you, while lights, curtains, air purifiers, and air conditioners can all be synchronized and controlled automatically," said He.

China has rolled out over 40 billion U.S. dollars in subsidies to boost consumption and encourage consumers to trade in old appliances for new ones. Digital devices and smart home gadgets are seeing an immediate surge in demand.

"Gen Z, millennials and the silver-haired are called the 'three pivotal generations' who are very key to reshaping China retail momentum. So, each generation exhibits very distinctive preferences in embracing innovation. Gen Z and millennials are quite young, they are young generations, they are much more proactive and enthusiastic when they just want to buy something new, like the smart optical, smart watches and smart speakers. So, they are very popular. In addition, the demand for AI-powered devices, such as voice-controlled smart home systems, is growing very fast in China. That reflects the consumers' growing preferences to integrate technology into their daily lives," said Jacky Zhu, head of the retail research department of JLL China.

In contrast, older generations are showing growing interest in wearable healthcare and security products, and home automation remains a massive growth area, industry insiders said.

"But what is the most important thing? I think it is also the voice-controlled terminals for all people, which could also manage the temperature, the emergency calls or the lighting, etc. So, it really helps older people to live independently, without families, and it also can reduce the risks of accidents to the older people," said Zhu.

The evolution of smart technology extends beyond homes to workspaces, where AI and advanced systems are becoming increasingly prevalent. With the advent of 5G and the Internet of Things in recent years, the interconnectivity of devices has reached new heights, marking a transformative wave of growth driven by AI-powered appliances.

China embraces smart home revolution with AI-integrated appliances

China embraces smart home revolution with AI-integrated appliances

Analysts have warned that the separatist statements made recently by leader of Taiwan region Lai Ching-te constitute a challenge to the bottom line and the red line of the mainland.

On Thursday, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the implementation of China's Anti-Secession Law, Lai held a meeting in which he portrayed the mainland as a "hostile external force" and outlined 17 strategies to counter the so-called threats facing the island.

"There is no doubt that the Lai Ching-te authorities' actions are an attempt to challenge the bottom line and the red line of the mainland, especially Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law. His actions are indeed extremely dangerous," said Zhang Hua, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"We must carefully analyze whether his actions have touched Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law, that is, 'the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The more rambunctious Lai Ching-te becomes, the faster we will see a solution of the Taiwan question and achieve unification," said Zhu Songling, a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing Union University.

Article 8 of the law states that the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted.

Analysts said Lai's separatist actions would push Taiwan closer to the brink of conflict.

His proposal to "reinstate military tribunals" is viewed as a strategic move to suppress political opponents on the island which further reveals his anxiety and insecurity, analysts said.

"Lai Ching-te's intensified incitement against the mainland cannot be ruled out as a strategic foreshadowing laid by him to suppress political dissidents on the island," said Chen Chao, deputy director of the Center for Taiwan Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

"Lai Ching-te is very anxious because his public support in the Taiwan region has continued to plunge. Polls conducted last month showed that public support for Lai was approaching a 'death cross' where the opposition outnumbers the support. So he resorted to provoking confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Zhang Hua said.

Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line