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Google Moves Android Development In-House—Is This the End of Open Source Android?

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Google Moves Android Development In-House—Is This the End of Open Source Android?

On March 27, Android Authority broke the news that Google will begin migrating all Android Open Source Project (AOSP) development to its internal branch. The change, set to begin next week, means that Android’s continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD) tools and Android Gerrit—the core platforms for community contribution—may also be shut down. In the future, only Google employees will be allowed to access or submit code to the internal AOSP branch.

This sparked immediate concern across the tech world, with some media even calling it a termination of Android open source. While that framing may sound alarmist, the underlying anxiety isn’t entirely misplaced.

Indeed, Google confirmed to Android Authority that it will continue to publish source code for future Android versions, including Android 16, and maintain updates for the Android Linux kernel. On the surface, Android remains open. But the structure of that openness is changing—and with it, the nature of community involvement.

This move essentially signals a redefinition of what “open source” means in practice. Android has always been open-source under Google’s stewardship, but community developers and OEMs were previously able to view and contribute to AOSP in near real time. That transparency fostered innovation and trust, especially among global partners building their platforms on Android.

“It’s not accurate to say Google is closing the source, but the power to decide what and when to release remains entirely in Google’s hands,” according to ZHU Qigang, Secretary-General, Shanghai Open Source Information Technology Association.

The move could significantly affect Android OEMs, especially in China. Companies like Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, Honor, and Lenovo rely heavily on AOSP as the foundation for their operating systems. Although Google promises to continue releasing source code for stable versions, these OEMs will no longer be able to track changes in real time or contribute proactively to Android’s evolution.

This shift increases Google’s leverage over OEMs. To maintain compatibility with Google Mobile Services (GMS), manufacturers will need to follow Google’s development timeline and technical roadmap more closely. The centralization of control may lead to broader ripple effects across the ecosystem, potentially accelerating the development and adoption of alternative systems like OpenHarmony. While this could bring greater diversity to the global operating system landscape, it also risks further fragmenting the Android ecosystem.

This situation also raises deeper questions about the nature of corporate-led open-source projects. On paper, Android is open source. But in practice, Google has always controlled the project’s direction, governance, and final decisions. Contributions from the global community may be welcomed, but ultimate authority lies with a single company.

Zhu Qigang critiques this dynamic, noting that, “The so-called openness of Android has always been conditional. Google decides whether community contributions are accepted. It’s open source, but it’s not open governance.” In contrast, OpenHarmony—Huawei’s open-source OS—has been donated to a neutral foundation, a move that Zhu sees as a healthier model for genuine community governance.

To be fair, Google’s decision can also be viewed through a practical lens. Managing a project as complex and globally distributed as Android is no easy task. Streamlining development internally could improve efficiency, reduce leaks, and allow tighter control over security and release cycles.

But it also marks a clear shift in priorities. As Android matures and becomes further intertwined with Google’s commercial ecosystem, openness becomes more of a liability than a benefit. This mirrors what happened with other large-scale open-source projects, such as Red Hat’s decision to limit access to RHEL source code—a move that prompted backlash from the open-source community.

Plus, Google is currently under investigation by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation for alleged antitrust violations. Earlier this year, CCP’s official newspaper People’s Daily criticized Android as “fake open source, real monopoly,” accusing Google of using its dominance to suppress competition and innovation.

Google’s decision to move Android development in-house raises questions about the future of corporate open source, the role of community in large-scale tech ecosystems, and the delicate balance between control and collaboration. While Android is not yet “closed,” it is clearly becoming more guarded. Whether this evolution serves the broader ecosystem—or just Google’s bottom line—remains to be seen.

Source: arstechnica, androidauthority, techcrunch

India Should Not Be the ‘Asian Ukraine’ in America’s Great Power Game

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India Should Not Be the ‘Asian Ukraine’ in America’s Great Power Game

Henry Kissinger once remarked, “It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal.” This paradox remains relevant today, particularly as the U.S. deepens ties with India under the guise of strategic partnership. 

While President Biden has labeled the U.S.-India relationship the most important of the century, Trump openly praised Prime Minister Modi. India must look past flattering rhetoric to confront the realities of U.S. foreign policy—driven not by loyalty, but by cold strategic interests: containing China, securing cheap labor, and accessing new markets.

Modi’s early invitation to the Trump White House symbolized a larger soft power play. American influence in India—through tech ties, immigration, English-language dominance, and media funding—has fostered a largely favorable public perception. Yet this influence can easily translate into control. India risks becoming an “Asian Ukraine,” a pawn discarded once it outlives its strategic usefulness.

Recent U.S. actions in South Asia reinforce this concern. The removal of Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina—following her refusal to host a U.S. base—mirrored Washington’s pattern of punishing non-alignment. In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s ouster and imprisonment after resisting Western pressure over Russia, and the suppression of pro-China factions in Sri Lanka, further illustrate how U.S. interests override democratic ideals.

Ultimately, the U.S. does not seek equal partners—it seeks compliance. India must remain alert to the cost of closeness, lest it trades strategic autonomy for superficial approval.

History shows that the United States has never been a consistent or trustworthy ally to India. While India’s foreign policy establishment is often preoccupied with countering Chinese influence in South Asia, it has shown a striking lack of concern over U.S. interference. The unexplained deaths of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and nuclear scientist Homi J. Bhabha in 1966—both suspected by some to involve the CIA—were quietly brushed aside, reflecting a long-standing reluctance to confront U.S. actions critically.

During the Cold War, the U.S. openly undermined India’s interests, penalizing its non-alignment and ties with the Soviet Union. It encouraged conflict with China but offered no real support when India was under pressure. In 1971, the U.S. even deployed warships to the Bay of Bengal in an attempt to deter Indian intervention in Bangladesh—an effort that failed only due to Soviet backing.

Even in the post-Cold War era, India’s growing closeness with the U.S. has yielded limited long-term benefits. While China and India were both targeted as emerging markets, China invested in technological self-sufficiency, while India became overly dependent on Western products and platforms. The results are stark: China dominates in AI patents, industrial technologies, and Fortune 500 companies; India lags far behind.

This disparity is rooted in India’s embrace of U.S.-style financial capitalism, which has prioritized integration with Western markets over indigenous capacity-building. India’s overreliance on the U.S. for capital, technology, pharmaceuticals, and media has stunted its strategic autonomy. The country’s foreign policy reflects this dependency—most visibly in its submission to U.S. sanctions against Iran. Similarly, India’s involvement in the QUAD, and refusal to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, suggest alignment with Washington’s containment strategy rather than a truly independent vision.

Today, the U.S. reaps substantial benefits from India: cheap labor for tech and manufacturing, a vast consumer market, and a growing startup ecosystem hungry for Western capital. India has also become a geopolitical asset in Washington’s anti-China playbook. Yet, this asymmetric relationship is unlikely to remain stable. Rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. threatens visa programs critical to Indian workers. And as India’s economic ambition grows, Washington is unlikely to tolerate the rise of indigenous competitors to American tech giants.

The U.S. does not seek equal partnerships—it seeks strategic subordinates. Even Europe is beginning to recognize this reality. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently called for European independence from U.S. dominance, signaling a broader shift in global sentiment.

The decline of U.S. hegemony is unlikely to usher in a new empire, but rather a multipolar global order. Institutions like BRICS offer the Global South new frameworks for cooperation, trade, and political agency. As the U.S. dollar loses its dominance, so too will Washington’s ability to enforce its will through economic coercion.

The era of Western supremacy is drawing to a close. The future lies with Asia, Eurasia, and Africa. For India, the challenge is clear: to craft a foreign policy that breaks from dependency and embraces the opportunities of a truly multipolar world.

Source: South Asian Voices, NBC News, The Financial Express

Chinesischer Durchbruch bei Terahertz-Metamaterialien fördert 6G-Innovation

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Chinesischer Durchbruch bei Terahertz-Metamaterialien fördert 6G-Innovation

Chinesische Wissenschaftler haben vor kurzem einen beispiellosen Durchbruch bei der Herstellungstechnologie für Terahertz-Metamaterialien erzielt, eine Entwicklung, die die Kostenstruktur wichtiger 6G-Komponenten revolutionieren und den Industrialisierungsprozess erheblich beschleunigen dürfte.

Terahertz-Wellen liegen im elektromagnetischen Spektrum zwischen Mikrowellen und Infrarotlicht im Frequenzbereich von 0,1 bis 10 THz. Diese Wellen haben einzigartige physikalische Eigenschaften und ein breites Anwendungspotenzial in verschiedenen Bereichen, insbesondere in der Sicherheitsdetektion. Ihre Fähigkeit, eine drahtlose Ultrahochgeschwindigkeitskommunikation mit einer theoretischen Bandbreite von Hunderten von Gbps (Gigabit pro Sekunde) und sogar Tbps (Terabit pro Sekunde) zu unterstützen, hat sie zu einer anerkannten Schlüsseltechnologie für die künftige 6G-Kommunikation gemacht.

Die Erzeugung von Terahertz-Wellen hat sich jedoch aufgrund des schwachen elektromagnetischen Verhaltens natürlicher Materialien in diesem Frequenzband als schwierig erwiesen. Um dieses Problem zu lösen, sind elektromagnetische Metamaterialien – künstlich hergestellte Materialien mit periodischen Resonanzeinheiten, die kleiner als die Wellenlänge sind – für den Bau von Terahertz-Funktionsgeräten wie Antennen und Filtern unverzichtbar geworden. Der Schlüssel zu ihrer Effizienz liegt in der rationalen Gestaltung der Resonanzeinheiten, einschließlich ihrer Form, Größe und räumlichen Anordnung, wodurch das elektromagnetische Verhalten erheblich verbessert und die Entwicklung der Terahertz-Technologie beschleunigt wird.

Die Herstellung dieser Metamaterialien basiert traditionell auf komplexen Mikro- und Nanofabrikationsmethoden wie Photolithographie, Elektronenstrahlbelichtung, Tiefenätzen von Silizium und Magnetron-Sputtern. Diese Verfahren erfüllen zwar die Präzisionsanforderungen, sind aber ineffizient, teuer und für die Massenproduktion ungeeignet. Darüber hinaus führt der Substratbedarf dieser Verfahren zu zusätzlichen dielektrischen Verlusten, die die Reaktion der Terahertz-Wellen schwächen und die Leistungsfähigkeit des Materials einschränken.

Um diesen wichtigen technischen Engpass zu überwinden, ist einem Forschungsteam unter der Leitung von Professor Zhong Shuncong von der Fuzhou Universität und Direktor des Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing kürzlich ein wichtiger technologischer Durchbruch gelungen. Dieser Durchbruch hat das Potenzial, die Landschaft der Kommunikations- und Sensorindustrie grundlegend zu verändern.

Im Mittelpunkt der Innovation steht der Einsatz von Femtosekundenlasern. Femtosekundenlaser, die ultrakurze Pulse von wenigen bis einigen hundert Femtosekunden Dauer aussenden, haben im Vergleich zu Dauerstrich- oder Langpulslasern sehr hohe Spitzenleistungen. Dank der Fortschritte in der Ultrakurzpulslasertechnologie hat sich das direkte Schreiben mit Femtosekundenlasern in der Mikro- und Nanostrukturbearbeitung aufgrund seiner Einfachheit, der geringen Anzahl erforderlicher Prozesse und der niedrigen Kosten weit verbreitet.

In ihrer jüngsten Veröffentlichung zeigen die Forscher, wie ein 10 Mikrometer dünner Metall-Aluminium-Film als perfektes Substrat für Metamaterialien verwendet werden kann. Die Flexibilität und Leitfähigkeit dieses Metallfilms machen ihn zu einem idealen Kandidaten für Anwendungen in flexiblen Geräten. Durch die präzise Kontrolle des Abtastweges und der Energieabgabe des Femtosekundenlasers auf der Oberfläche der Aluminiumfolie gelang es dem Team, ein flexibles Terahertz-Metamaterial herzustellen, ohne dass ein Substrat erforderlich war. Darüber hinaus entwarfen sie eine Hybridstruktur, die einen multimodalen Starkkopplungseffekt stimuliert und das Terahertz-Wellenverhalten des Metamaterials weiter verbessert.

Das direkte Schreiben mit Femtosekundenlasern umgeht herkömmliche komplexe Mikrobearbeitungsprozesse und bietet eine schnellere und kostengünstigere Möglichkeit zur Herstellung elektromagnetischer Metamaterialien. Dieser Durchbruch macht Masken überflüssig und reduziert Vorbereitungszeit und -kosten erheblich. Darüber hinaus minimiert die extrem kurze Pulsdauer des Lasers die Wärmeeinflusszone während der Bearbeitung und ermöglicht so eine „kalte Bearbeitung“ mit minimaler thermischer Schädigung des Materials.

Das Forschungsteam entwickelte ein komplettes Lichtleitsystem unter Verwendung eines Femtosekundenlasers mit einer zentralen Wellenlänge von 800 nm, einer Pulsbreite von 45 Femtosekunden und einer Wiederholfrequenz von 1 kHz. Die Energieabgabe des Lasers wurde präzise gesteuert, um einen optimalen Abtrag bei gleichzeitig hoher Bearbeitungsgenauigkeit zu gewährleisten. Um die Präzision des Laserfokus aufrechtzuerhalten und eine Kontamination durch Bearbeitungsrückstände zu vermeiden, verwendete das Team ein 50-faches Fokussierobjektiv zusammen mit einem Echtzeit-Erkennungssystem, das aus einer CCD-Kamera, einer koaxialen Lichtquelle und einem telezentrischen Objektiv besteht und eine präzise Positionierung und Überwachung ermöglicht.

Für die Probenbewegung verwendete das Team ein kommerziell erhältliches dreiachsiges lineares Verschiebetischsystem, das eine Positioniergenauigkeit im Nanometerbereich über einen Hub von 160 mm bietet. Mit einer Bewegungsauflösung von 1 bis 2 nm und einer Wiederholgenauigkeit der Positionierung von nur 25 bis 35 nm gewährleistete das System eine Bearbeitungsgenauigkeit im Mikrometerbereich.

Anschließend brachte das Team eine 10 Mikrometer dicke Metall-Aluminium-Folie auf einen skelettierten Probenkäfig auf und positionierte sie auf der Verschiebeplattform. Durch die Anpassung des Laserfokus und der Laserenergie auf etwa 150 Milliwatt und die sorgfältige Steuerung der Verschiebeplattform, die mit einer Geschwindigkeit von 200 Mikrometern pro Sekunde einem bestimmten Pfad folgte, gelang es ihnen, die entworfene Metamaterialstruktur auf die Aluminiumfolie zu ätzen und so ein substratfreies flexibles Metamaterial herzustellen.

Optisch-mikroskopische Untersuchungen der bearbeiteten Probe zeigten, dass die mit dem Laser gebrannten rechteckigen Löcher glatte Kanten, vollständige Strukturen und minimale Oberflächenablagerungen oder umgeschmolzene Schichten aufwiesen. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass der Femtosekundenlaser in der Lage ist, Metamaterialstrukturen mit hoher Präzision herzustellen. Im Vergleich zur konventionellen Lithografie, bei der oft mehrere Maskengrößen benötigt werden, vereinfachte diese Methode den Prozess und verkürzte den Präparationszyklus. Obwohl die Präzision des Femtosekunden-Laserschreibens geringer ist als die der konventionellen Mikro-Nano-Bearbeitung im Mikrometer- und Submikrometerbereich, erfüllt es die Genauigkeitsanforderungen für die Herstellung von Terahertz-Metamaterialien mit Eigenschaften im Bereich von zehn bis hundert Mikrometern voll und ganz.

Tests an präparierten Proben haben zudem gezeigt, dass Metamaterialien, die mit der Femtosekunden-Laserbearbeitung hergestellt wurden, im Gegensatz zur herkömmlichen siliziumbasierten Mikrobearbeitung keinen starren Siliziumträger benötigen. Diese Metamaterialien können als unabhängige Strukturen zerlegt, verformt und erweitert werden, wodurch sie für eine Vielzahl komplexer, variabler Oberflächenumgebungen geeignet sind. Diese Flexibilität ist ideal für reale Anwendungen in flexiblen Terahertz-Geräten.

Durch das direkte Schreiben mit dem Femtosekundenlaser und seine „kalten Bearbeitungseigenschaften“ ist es dem Forschungsteam gelungen, die Einschränkungen der traditionellen siliziumbasierten Mikrobearbeitung wie langsame Bildung, hohe Dickenbeschränkungen und Substrateffekte zu überwinden. Die daraus resultierende substratfreie Struktur, kombiniert mit der hohen Flexibilität, Korrosions- und Hitzebeständigkeit des Metallfilms, macht diese mit dem Femtosekundenlaser bearbeiteten metallischen Metamaterialien vielversprechend für Anwendungen in flexiblen Terahertz-Bauelementen. Darüber hinaus können durch die starken Kopplungseffekte zwischen mehreren Resonanzarten und das hybride Strukturdesign Herausforderungen wie niedrige Q-Werte in reinen Metallmetamaterialien angegangen werden, was tragbare Präparationslösungen und neue Designkonzepte für Terahertz-Geräte in den Bereichen Sensorik, Detektion und Modulation ermöglicht.

Dieser Durchbruch dürfte die Herstellungskosten von Schlüsselkomponenten für die künftige 6G-Kommunikation erheblich senken. Er birgt ein immenses Potenzial für die Förderung der praktischen Anwendung der Terahertz-Technologie in der Kommunikation und anderen Bereichen und könnte die Realisierung der 6G-Kommunikation erheblich vorantreiben.

Quelle: Xinhua, ECNS

Academics Unite Against Trump Administration’s Assault on U.S. Scientific Research

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Academics Unite Against Trump Administration’s Assault on U.S. Scientific Research

On January 30, Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating anti-Semitism, specifically targeting U.S. universities. He also announced the formation of an inter-agency task force to enforce this order. This move gained momentum after a pro-Palestinian sit-in protest at Barnard College on February 26, which led to several arrests. Two days later, the Trump administration released a list of 10 schools: Harvard University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, Columbia University, and the University of Southern California, for review to determine whether corrective measures were necessary. 

Throughout 2024, as tensions surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict intensified, these universities became focal points for large-scale protests and clashes. Previously, Trump stated on social media that he would punish any institution that allowed “illegal” protests. 

On March 7, the Trump administration abruptly withdrew $400 million in federal funding and government contracts from Columbia University. According to reports, this action followed the university’s inclusion on the U.S. Department of Justice’s review list for possible failure to protect the safety of Jewish students and faculty, prompting a task force to intervene.

On the same day, thousands of researchers and their supporters gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., for the “Stand Up for Science” rally, organized by five graduate students and recently fired federal workers. The protest was aimed at condemning President Trump’s anti-science policies since his inauguration nearly seven weeks earlier.

The rally targeted policymakers, urging the administration to end censorship of scientific research, restore federal funding, reinstate federal employees, and preserve diversity and inclusion in science. Over a dozen speakers participated, including a Democratic senator, a former Republican congressman, and Dr. Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

A congressional spokesperson stressed the importance of understanding public opinion and encouraged constituents to express concerns to their legislators. A federal scientist at the rally, speaking anonymously, explained that budget cuts had hindered his ability to do his job and hoped the protest would raise awareness of the harm done to science. 

Gretchen Goldman, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which had sent a letter signed by more than 50 scientific societies to Congress urging protection for federally funded science, was among the speakers. She warned that without funding for disease prevention and treatment research, public health would suffer. 

Organizers of the “Stand Up for Science” event hoped to inspire scientists and the public to take a stand against the Trump administration’s attacks on science. The rally was a continuation of the 2017 March for Science protests during Trump’s first term. In addition to Washington, D.C., the event was planned to include 30 protests across the U.S. and more than 150 globally.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration had begun sending questionnaires to overseas researchers in Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Canada, asking if their U.S.-funded projects were related to topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), climate, and environmental justice. 

The survey also inquired about potential financial ties with countries such as China, Russia, Cuba, or Iran. Projects that did not address these issues scored higher, while those with collaborations with certain countries scored lower. Some European universities advised their researchers not to respond, while Australian universities, more dependent on U.S. funding, encouraged participation.

This initiative has faced strong opposition from university consortia and research organizations globally, who argue that many of the questions go beyond traditional grant compliance and threaten the integrity of U.S.-led research programs. Administrators from institutions in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and beyond expressed concern that this was a sign of deteriorating academic freedom in the United States.

On March 31, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration (GSA) announced a comprehensive review of U.S. federal contracts and grants to Harvard University and its affiliates, totaling over $255.6 million in contracts and more than $8.7 billion in multi year grants. This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on anti-Semitism on college campuses, mirroring earlier scrutiny of Columbia University.

On the same day, over 1,900 academicians from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine signed an open letter urging the Trump administration to cease its attacks on the scientific community. The letter included prominent scientists from China. The signatories argued that the administration’s cuts to research funding, the firing of thousands of scientists, the removal of public access to scientific data, and the ideological influence on research were undermining U.S. science. They issued a call to action, warning that the American research system was being dismantled and urging the public to support their efforts.

With over 8,000 members across the three U.S. academies, the signatories already represent nearly a quarter of the total membership.

The academics argue that the administration’s cuts to research funding are hindering the training of future scientists, while its investigation of more than 50 universities threatens the integrity of scientific research at higher education institutions. Moreover, the administration’s suppression of research it deems unacceptable undermines the independence of science, fostering a climate of fear within the U.S. research community. In response, these academics are calling on the Trump administration to cease its assault on the scientific community and urging the public to support this cause.

Source: Science News, ABC News

Shenzhen Becomes A Global Battleground for Robots, Drones, and Low-Altitude Flight Economy

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Shenzhen Becomes A Global Battleground for Robots, Drones, and Low-Altitude Flight Economy

On March 21, the Finance and Economics Committee of China Shenzhen Municipal Committee held an enlarged meeting. The meeting emphasized the need to accelerate the deployment of digital and intelligent infrastructure, upgrade traditional infrastructure through digital transformation, and take a leading position in artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and low-altitude aviation. It also called for stronger support and encouragement for private investment in these sectors.  

Shenzhen’s robotics industry has developed a comprehensive industrial chain covering industrial, service, specialized, and humanoid robots. Companies like EngineAI and UBTECH are leading the humanoid robotics market, while manufacturing giants such as BYD, Foxconn Industrial Internet, and Luxshare Precision Industry are driving the increasing adoption of industrial robots.  

As a global electronics manufacturing hub, Shenzhen holds a distinct advantage, particularly in humanoid robotics. More than 90% of key enterprises have achieved high localization, with the industry and supply chain localization rates exceeding 60%. In Nanshan District, within a 10-kilometer radius, robots can be designed and mass-produced in a closed-loop system.  

This March, Shenzhen launched four major policy documents, aiming to grow the city’s AI terminal industry to 1 trillion yuan within three years. The city plans to cultivate robotics enterprises valued at over 10 billion yuan and support more than 20 companies with annual revenues exceeding 1 billion yuan, further expanding the intelligent robotics cluster, which already includes over 1,200 related enterprises.  

The first wave of transformation in the automobile industry—electrification—has already been validated. Now, the second wave—intelligentization—is on the horizon. As the competition intensifies, Shenzhen is determined to lead the charge in next-generation intelligent technologies.  

Autonomous driving’s ultimate goal is full driverless mobility. Unlike electrification, which reshaped the automotive supply chain, driverless technology redefines transportation itself. It involves not just vehicles but also their interactions with people, roads, other vehicles, and cloud-based systems.  

Shenzhen-based companies such as RoboSense, DEEPROUTE.AI, and MINIEYE have taken leading positions in this sector, excelling in perception equipment, autonomous driving algorithms, and real-world applications.  

Last year, Shenzhen was among the first cities selected for the vehicle-road-cloud integration pilot program by China’s five national ministries and commissions. The city expanded its autonomous driving test roads by 1,162 kilometers, bringing the total to 2,000 kilometers. It also issued 435 new test permits, totaling 1,137. 

While robots and drones are driving ground-level innovation, Shenzhen’s low-altitude economy is unlocking new opportunities in three-dimensional urban development.  

From the spectacular 10,000-drone performances at Bijia Mountain to drone deliveries on Lotus Hill and AED drone deployments in country parks, drones are increasingly integrated into urban life in Shenzhen.  

Shenzhen dominates the global drone market, with its consumer drones accounting for 70% and industrial drones 50% of total market share. The city is home to over 1,700 drone-related enterprises, including industry leaders DJI and Fyuav. In core technology, Shenzhen has integrated 5G, millimeter-wave, and satellite communications to establish a sub-120-meter integrated air and space safety network. This infrastructure supports precise positioning and data transmission for over 100,000 drones while advancing research in low-altitude vehicles, battery technology, and flight control systems.  

At the end of last year, the Shenzhen Low Altitude Economy Standardization Technical Committee held its first plenary meeting. The Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Transportation and the Shenzhen Municipal Administration of Market Supervision jointly released the Guidelines for the Construction of Shenzhen’s Low-Altitude Economy Standard System (V1.0), marking a significant step toward industry standardization, public safety, and industrial synergy.  

Beyond individual industries, Shenzhen’s forward-looking strategies are reshaping the entire urban landscape. As robots enter households, autonomous driving transforms commuting, and drone networks expand across the skyline, the city’s innovation-driven approach is propelling new urban development dynamics.  

Source: Xinhua, sznews, sina

Resurgence of Global Populism: the Conflict Between People and Elites

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Resurgence of Global Populism: the Conflict Between People and Elites

In the past year, the wave of populism in Europe has resurfaced. The results of the European Parliament elections show that populism continues to grow, particularly in major nations like Germany, France, and the UK. 

In the United States, Donald Trump was re-elected as president, attracting global attention. Populism is gaining momentum in the West, and with Trump back in power, the populist movement is strengthening on both sides of the Atlantic, with increasing influence on each other and globally.

Populism has become a prominent topic in global politics and area studies in recent years, sparking a wealth of academic research and contemporary analysis. Prior to the UK’s 2016 EU referendum, most scholars viewed populism as a transient phenomenon, believing that once the political system had adjusted, traditional political structures and institutions would return to normal. However, following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the persistence of populism has become undeniable. 

It must be acknowledged that populists are often able to portray themselves as more democratic than mainstream politicians. This is due to their skill in invoking the inherently ambiguous concept of “the people” in the Western political context. Populists boldly claim the power to define “the people,” asserting that they represent the “real” people, while labeling their opponents as the “enemies of the people.” For instance, Nigel Farage, then-leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), declared after the passage of the EU referendum that it was a victory for the real, ordinary, and decent people. This rhetoric implies that British citizens who voted against Brexit were not the people.

There is no single group that can be universally defined as people. The term can refer to blue-collar workers, small business owners, students burdened with loans, or the lower and middle classes. What defines populism is not these specific groups but the underlying conflict between “the people” and the “elite,” representing a series of demands that populists direct at the established political order.

It is crucial to note that this conflict exhibits significant variations across different political contexts. In other words, there is no consistent political agenda among populist ideas, parties, and their supporters. This diversity even challenges the traditional left-right political spectrum.

Populism is often viewed as a byproduct of mass democracy gone awry. However, if that were the case, populism would not be seen as a variant of political ideology and would pose far less danger. While populism often involves broad mass mobilization, it is, in fact, the antithesis of democracy. In a populist movement, mass mobilization does not enhance democratic participation or improve the quality of democratic deliberation. Instead, it frequently serves to elevate a charismatic political figure—today, figures like U.S. President Donald Trump, French National Rally Leader Marine Le Pen, British Reform Party chief Nigel Farage, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German BSW leader Sarah Wagenknecht, Dutch Freedom Party head Geert Wilders, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán—to the pinnacle of power. From there, these figures often abandon true democratic principles. History has shown that populism frequently leads to reckless policies, and the current state of the United States serves as a sobering reminder of this.

It is essential to understand that populism is not a product of democracy itself. Populist forces have existed long before democracy became the dominant political system in the Western world and have erupted in periodic waves throughout history. Many analysts, when examining the current wave of populism, treat it as a contemporary phenomenon, often confining the study of populism to the post-Cold War era or even the period following the 2008 global financial crisis. However, a more comprehensive review of the evolution of Western political and economic systems since the Industrial Revolution reveals that developments in productive forces, technological advances, shifts in the social order, and globalization have repeatedly given rise to radical populist movements. These movements, in turn, have driven significant changes in modern political, economic, and social systems.

As early as the 1880s and 1890s in the United States, the concentration of wealth in the hands of the top 1% began to increase sharply. By the turn of the 20th century, U.S. economic power was dominated by families such as the Carnegies, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and Rockefellers, who amassed vast fortunes through emerging mega-corporations unencumbered by antitrust laws or regulation. The stagnation of middle-class incomes and the growing concentration of wealth in the U.S. after the Cold War should therefore not be seen as unique phenomena.

The U.S. addressed this issue of wealth polarization in the first half of the 20th century through a complex mix of internal and external policy adjustments, involving power struggles as intricate as those seen in today’s global political landscape. Populism played a significant role in this process, such as prompting the passage of the Immigration Act of 1917, which introduced stricter screening of immigrants on national security grounds. 

This historical precedent offers insight into the current trend of tightening immigration policies in many Western nations. Events that might seem unrelated in the broader timeline, such as the Swing Riots (19th-century British farmer protests against new economic and agricultural practices), the Ku Klux Klan (a white supremacy group in the U.S.), and McCarthyism (the widespread persecution of suspected communists and progressive voices in mid-20th-century America), are deeply intertwined with populist movements. 

While the triggers vary, groups drawn to populism tend to suffer from economic insecurity, nostalgia for a past way of life, and an inability to adapt to technological advancements or external competition. 

Populism is not an isolated issue of contemporary politics, nor is it an irresistible force. If citizens can effectively articulate their interests and translate them into government policy, large-scale populism is less likely to proliferate. Elites are often aware that certain segments of the population have suffered persistent economic erosion, but as beneficiaries of the existing political and economic system, they are frequently reluctant to push for substantial reforms. This is a crucial lesson for late-developing countries: they must avoid allowing deep social polarization to take root during periods of economic growth, as it could lead to political fragmentation or mutual vetoes.

Source: FSI, BBC, SBS

76 Chinese-Funded Projects Reopen in Sri Lanka, Sparking New Hope for the Island’s Economy

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76 Chinese-Funded Projects Reopen in Sri Lanka, Sparking New Hope for the Island’s Economy

Once known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka faced severe economic turmoil and was even labeled a bankrupt country. However, on the 12th, media reports revealed that Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced a major breakthrough: China and Japan have agreed to restart 87 previously shelved economic projects, including 76 Chinese-led initiatives and 11 Japanese projects.  

The decision to revive these projects is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s new zero commission business environment policy. Dissanayake emphasized that the government will eliminate under-the-table dealings in the investment process, ensuring that foreign enterprises do not need to pay for underhanded operations. This initiative not only addresses international concerns over corruption but also paves the way for major investments, such as the 50-megawatt Mannar wind power project, to materialize more quickly. Rebuilding investor confidence through institutional reforms is at the heart of Sri Lanka’s current economic strategy.  

Speaking at the 26th anniversary of the Chamber Of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), Dissanayake highlighted the government’s focus on fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs. He introduced the Diplomatic-Business Joint Mechanism to enhance international cooperation, which includes involving diplomats and business teams in global economic negotiations, providing cross-border investment support for young entrepreneurs, and establishing fast-track trade connections with Southeast Asian and South Asian markets. This strategy marks a departure from Sri Lanka’s traditional economic model, aiming for deeper integration into global industrial chains.  

Although Dissanayake claims that his administration is “the most stable in history,” this stability hinges on the success of economic recovery. The country remains under pressure, balancing IMF-mandated fiscal austerity with public concerns over currency fluctuations, social welfare reforms, and foreign investment incentives. Dissanayake’s principle that every spent is a national trust signals his commitment to reform but also underscores the narrow margin for policy errors.  

While the revival of Sino-Japanese projects provides a much-needed financial boost, Sri Lanka’s long-term recovery still faces structural challenges, including industrial upgrading, debt sustainability, and geopolitical balancing.  

Sri Lanka’s strategy externally attracts investment through institutional reforms while internally fosters new growth through political-business synergies. However, the real challenge lies in striking a delicate balance between IMF-imposed austerity and the public’s urgent need for economic relief. The restart of China-Japan projects is only the first step—turning short-term capital inflows into sustainable development remains the true test.  

Source: EconomyNext, adaderana

U.S. Department of Education Slashes Workforce by 50%

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U.S. Department of Education Slashes Workforce by 50%

On March 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced the largest layoffs in its history, cutting more than 1,300 employees. Combined with approximately 600 staff who accepted buyouts, nearly half of the agency’s 4,100 employees will be affected. Laid-off workers have just 10 days to transition their responsibilities and will receive at least 90 days of severance pay.  

In an official statement, the department claimed the cuts were aimed at improving efficiency, increasing accountability, and better allocating resources to students, parents, and teachers. 

As a key federal agency, the U.S. Department of Education has played a central role in policymaking, student loan management, and education equity, overseeing programs like federal student loans. However, since its creation in 1979 by Democratic President Jimmy Carter, the department has been a frequent target of Republican conservatives, who argue it is unconstitutional, overreaches into local education, and promotes progressive ideology.  

The Trump administration, in particular, has pushed for reducing federal involvement in education. During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to abolish the department. After taking office in January 2025, Trump launched a sweeping reorganization of federal agencies, with the Department of Education as a primary target. 

The Federal Student Aid, which oversees student loan policies and grant complaints, faces the most severe cuts, with staff numbers slashed from 1,500 to 750. This could significantly slow loan approvals, delaying financial aid for students. The 2024 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) system failure already caused widespread application delays, and experts warn that staff reductions may worsen these issues. 

In the long term, the layoffs could have profound consequences for the U.S. education system. Excessive decentralization of policy making to the states may lead to inconsistent education policies and disparities in quality, worsening inequalities in resource distribution. Additionally, weakening federal oversight could stall national education reforms and equity initiatives. 

However, Republicans and conservatives are generally supportive of the cuts, arguing that the U.S. federal government is too large and cumbersome, and that the cuts will reduce government spending, improve efficiency, and return more power and resources to state and local governments, allowing them to develop education policies that better meet local needs.

But Democrats and labor organizations see this as a devastating blow to the education system and have issued strong condemnations. They point out that most of the Department of Education’s employees are public servants dedicated to serving the public, and many are former teachers and principals who have made important contributions to the nation’s educational endeavors. 

Academics and education experts have also expressed widespread concern about the layoffs, arguing that while the U.S. Department of Education has a number of problems that need to be improved, the layoffs are not an effective way to address those problems. On the contrary, the radical move may weaken the important functions of the department in guaranteeing educational equity and monitoring the quality of education, which in turn will affect the stability and development of the entire education system. 

Meanwhile, some neutral viewpoints suggest that the layoffs reflect deep-seated conflicts and controversies in the U.S. government over institutional reform and power distribution. While pursuing government streamlining and efficiency, how to balance the power relationship between the federal and local levels and ensure the quality and fairness of public services is an issue that needs to be explored and resolved in the long run.

This massive layoff in the U.S. Department of Education is an important part of the Trump administration’s institutional reform plan and a contest between the federal and state governments over the distribution of power in education. Although the initial intention of the layoffs was to improve efficiency and reduce government spending, they have faced many challenges and controversies in practice. The layoffs are not only administrative streamlining, but also the epitome of ideological warfare.

The future of American education will be full of uncertainty in this political game. Secretary of Education McMahon said in an interview with Fox News on the 11th that the layoff plan is just the “first step” in eliminating redundancies at the Department of Education. When asked if the layoffs ultimately point to the elimination of the entire department, she replied, “Yes.”

However, despite Republican control of the House and Senate, abolishing the Department of Education would require 60 votes in the Senate, and with Republicans currently holding only 53 seats, it would be extremely difficult to work across party lines. Democrats have also planned to challenge the legality of the cuts through a lawsuit. 

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the controversy over education policy is bound to become the focus of bipartisan contention, while millions of students and families will be searching for a way out of the turmoil, and the development and reform of the U.S. education system will continue to need to find its way in a balance of interests and perspectives from all sides.

Source: ABC7, Forbes, NPR

China’s Ice-and-Snow Economy Set to Surpass €1.5 Trillion by 2027

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China’s Ice-and-Snow Economy Set to Surpass €1.5 Trillion by 2027

Nowadays, the ice and snow economy has become a buzzword in China. According to the China Tourism Academy (CTA), the 2024-2025 snow and ice season is expected to receive 520 million visitors nationwide, and the total income from snow and ice tourism is expected to exceed €79.98 billion, an increase of about 21% and 20%, respectively, year-on-year. At the same time, a more complete industrial layout, stronger R&D capabilities, and an abundant product supply are helping to promote China’s ice and snow economy.

In Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, the ice and snow economy is already showing significant growth. The province has established the first statistical monitoring system for the ice and snow economy in the country, under the support and guidance of the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS of China). In 2024, Heilongjiang’s total output from the snow and ice economy amounted to €33.79 billion, of which €23.15 billion came from snow and ice tourism. The establishment of this statistical monitoring system is aimed at providing decision-making references for further promoting the development of the ice and snow economy. 

Heilongjiang’s ice and snow tourism continues to grow rapidly. In 2024-2025, the province received 135 million tourists, marking an 18.5% increase from the previous year, with tourist spending rising by 30.7%. The 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 further helped solidify the province’s status as a top ice and snow tourism destination. The province’s tourism-related industries have seen impressive growth, with accommodation and catering industries showing strong performance, and transportation seeing double-digit growth in passenger volumes.

The demand for ice and snow products has been rising sharply across the country, and companies are expanding to meet this need. The Ice and Snow Sports Equipment Industrial Park, located in Xuanhua District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, is a prime example of this industrial expansion. Wu Yutong, the representative of Zhangjiakou Kenuo Chemical Industry, noted that the company added a simulation ice plate production line and four curling production lines, and its independent research and development efforts have led to over 80 national patents, with many of its products now exported overseas.

As part of the development of ice and snow products, other regions have also contributed innovative solutions. In Jilin Province, Liaoyuan North Socks Industry Group’s self-heating ice and snow socks are highly popular in Chinese ski resorts. Bai Chunwei, the company’s sales manager, explained that these socks can increase temperature by more than 8°C in extremely cold weather, making them a hot seller in major ski resorts.

Research and development in the ice and snow equipment sector are also booming. Xin Benlu, director of the Key Laboratory of Culture and Tourism Ministry of Jilin University, noted that the demand for ice and snow sports equipment is growing with the increasing number of participants. The lab has independently developed a bionic penguin that attracts tourists by mimicking an emperor penguin skiing. 

China’s ice and snow tourism market is booming, with several new products helping to attract more tourists. At the end of last year, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism released 12 national ice and snow tourism boutique routes, helping to drive up the number of visitors to key ski resorts. Harbin Ice and Snow World set a new record for single-day visitors, surpassing 100,000, while other resorts, like Xinjiang Altay General Mountain Ski Resort and Jilin Songhua Ski Resort, also saw significant growth in visitor numbers.

Driven by these developments, the ice and snow economy has become an essential part of China’s future plans. In November 2024, China’s General Office of the State Council issued issued guidelines to stimulate the vitality of the ice and snow economy through the high-quality development of winter sports, aiming for the total scale of the ice and snow economy to reach €1523.33 billion by 2027 and €1904.17 billion by 2030. This plan highlights the importance of the sector in China’s economic development, particularly through the continued expansion of ice and snow sports and tourism.

Source: Xinhua, CGTN, People’s Daily, hrbicesnow, China Daily

Chinese Authorities Hold Regulatory Talks with Walmart in Response to Trump’s Trade War Measures

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Chinese Authorities Hold Regulatory Talks with Walmart in Response to Trump’s Trade War Measures

On March 11, China’s Ministry of Commerce and other relevant departments conducted a regulatory talk with Walmart. The regulatory talk highlighted several key points:

  • Walmart’s unilateral demand for price reductions from Chinese companies could disrupt the supply chain, harming the interests of both Chinese and U.S. companies, as well as U.S. consumers.
  • Walmart’s temporary request for price cuts from Chinese suppliers may violate commercial contracts, potentially disrupting the normal flow of market transactions.
  • The U.S.’s unilateral imposition of tariffs hurts both Chinese and U.S. companies. It is in the best interest of both nations to work together to address these issues.
  • Should Walmart persist with these demands, the consequences for the company will extend beyond this interview.

According to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT), on March 12, several of its members reported that large U.S. retailers had pressured Chinese suppliers to lower prices. The Chamber is currently investigating these claims and will take necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of its members if the reports are verified.

At a regular press conference on March 13, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesman confirmed the regulatory talk with Walmart, stating that the company had explained its position. Media reports had previously disclosed that Walmart asked Chinese suppliers, including kitchenware and apparel manufacturers, to reduce prices in response to U.S. tariffs. This request was seen as an attempt to shift the burden of tariffs on Chinese suppliers and consumers, which could violate price clauses in existing contracts and disrupt market stability.

As a global retail giant, Walmart’s approach of seeking immediate price reductions is not only detrimental to suppliers but also undermines the integrity of the supply chain. Given the challenges posed by U.S. tariffs, a more constructive approach would involve open, fair negotiations with Chinese suppliers to address the difficulties, rather than imposing unilateral price cuts. Such behavior disrupts the market and risks damaging the very supply chain that Walmart depends on.

Walmart’s operations in China, which span over 20 years and include more than 300 stores in over 100 cities, are a testament to the mutually beneficial relationship between China and the U.S. In fact, about 60% of Walmart’s global products are sourced from China. Without these Chinese suppliers, Walmart’s shelves would be significantly less stocked. Walmart’s success in China has been largely due to the country’s favorable business environment—its market-oriented reforms, adherence to the rule of law, and international business practices. These factors have allowed Walmart to thrive, benefiting both its operations and China’s economic growth.

The root cause of Walmart’s challenges lies in the U.S.’s tariff policy. The tariffs, which are aimed at China, have made Walmart a direct victim, especially considering the company’s reliance on low-priced goods. The trade war has disrupted the natural complementarity between the U.S. and China’s economies and risks global economic instability. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, nearly 90% of the cost of U.S. tariffs on China is borne by U.S. consumers and businesses. A recent poll also shows that nearly 60% of Americans expect these tariff hikes to lead to higher prices.

The solution lies not in further burdening Chinese suppliers, but in the U.S. canceling these harmful tariffs. If the U.S. is truly concerned with easing the pressure on American businesses and consumers, it must reverse these punitive measures, which violate the natural laws of economics.

Walmart, as a beneficiary of global free trade, should understand that maintaining the free trade system is not only a corporate responsibility but also essential for its own long-term success. Both China and the U.S. play crucial roles in sustaining a stable and fair international market. It is imperative that both nations adopt an open and cooperative stance, resolve differences through dialogue, and avoid protectionism. By improving communication and strengthening the resilience of supply chains, both countries can foster a more transparent and predictable business environment.

In response to the ongoing situation, Walmart representatives stated in the regulatory talk that China’s supply chain is integral to its global success. They expressed a commitment to working closely with Chinese suppliers to avoid damaging the interests of all parties involved. We hope that Walmart will demonstrate sincerity, refrain from further imposing unilateral price reductions, and collaborate with Chinese companies to address the challenges posed by trade protectionism.

Source: Walmart, CCTV, Guancha

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