China's transportation sector has undergone a sweeping transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) integrates into systems nationwide, streamlining operations and elevating travel experiences.
At Beijing's Yizhuang autonomous driving demonstration zone, eight driverless vehicle application scenarios, ranging from ride-hailing and delivery to street cleaning and security patrols, are now operational.
Beyond autonomous driving, AI is also being leveraged to optimize urban transportation management through big data analysis and intelligent algorithms.
In east China's Zhejiang Province, an AI-powered system is being utilized to monitor expressway traffic in real time and issue alerts in case of emergencies.
"The AI system provides highly detailed information, even identifying the exact lane where an accident occurs -- whether it's the first lane, second lane, or even the hard shoulder. This allows rescue teams to reach the site and carry out emergency operations more efficiently," said Wang Qipeng, a staff member at the Hangzhou North Management Center of Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co.
In central China's Hubei Province, intelligent toll robots have been installed at a toll station in Wuhan, cutting payment times to just ten seconds.
Additionally, AI-powered inspection vehicles have been deployed in the province to automatically detect and record road issues in a short time.
In Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, local traffic authorities have developed a holographic monitoring system to analyze road conditions and help prevent major traffic accidents.
Another innovative application of AI is the introduction of smart lampposts, each equipped with a drone docking station.
"There is a drone docking station on top of each smart lamppost, allowing drones to take off directly from them. These drones can collect urban data for governance and analysis," said Zhang Xingzhi, vice president of a sci-tech company.
AI integration transforms China's transport sector
AI integration transforms China's transport sector
China has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a more open and investment-friendly economy with the release of the 2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing and Promoting Foreign Investment.
Under the action plan, the country will intensify efforts to strengthen the role of national economic and technological development zones, optimize national service industry pilot programs, and promote various platforms for opening up to attract more foreign investment.
An official from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said that China will optimize its 232 national economic and technological development zones, which, despite covering less than 0.3 percent of the country's land area, contribute 10 percent of its GDP and over one-fifth of paid-in foreign investment.
Additionally, China will enhance national service industry pilot demonstrations and implement upgrading strategies for free trade zones to attract more foreign investment. In 2024, the 11 provinces and cities participating in service sector opening-up initiatives attracted 41.3 billion U.S. dollars in foreign investment, accounting for 50.2 percent of the sector's total.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) also emphasized efforts to attract foreign investment in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, high-tech industries, and energy conservation.
Later this year, China will release an updated national catalog on encouraging foreign investment and expanding opportunities in central and western regions, particularly in basic manufacturing, applied technology, and consumer goods.
China reaffirmed these commitments in the recently released action plan and during this year's "two sessions".
Recent surveys also confirm this positive trend. According to a poll by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China released in February this year, 58 percent of its member companies plan to increase or maintain their investment in China this year. Meanwhile, a report from the American Chamber of Commerce in China indicates that 53 percent of surveyed U.S. companies plan to expand their investment in China in 2025.
China adopts slate of measures to foster more open, investment-friendly economy
