上海花千坊爱上海

As the performance of Team China at the Paris 2024 Olympics continues to grab headlines on Chinese social media, a debate is brewing in the country about the evolution of fan culture in the sporting field.

On August 4, several of China's social media platforms, such as Sina Weibo and Douyin announced that they were cracking down on over 800 accounts that had been spreading negativity and fomenting conflict during the table tennis events at the Olympics, removing more than 50,000 inappropriate fan posts.

This action was taken after an event on August 3, when Chinese paddler Chen Meng defeated her teammate Sun Yingsha 4-2, to win the table tennis women's singles gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with numerous fans showing favoritism toward Sun while booing Chen.

During the match, the stands at the South Paris Arena were filled with cheers for Sun, and there were even jeers when Chen scored points. On the internet, the battle of insults started at the commencement of the match, when some fans posted inflammatory comments attacking the athletes and coaching staff.

This phenomenon has caused numerous Chinese people to worry about the visibly aggressive fan culture that threatens to erode the sporting world.

"Fan culture" is a subculture that originated in the entertainment industry and is based on idol artists and fan economics. With the vigorous development of the Chinese sports industry, sports stars are becoming more influential as role models. However, some fans are taking things too far by turning sporting events into battlegrounds. They attack athletes online, inciting public emotions to increase exposure and attention. The arbitrary and relentless hounding of athletes by some fans off the field also presents a series of problems for athletes' normal training and personal lives.

Where does this aggressive fan culture come from? What do these fans hope to achieve? Is this really representative of Chinese sports fans as a whole? These are questions that are being raised as the debate continues.
Chaos abounds

"I wish Chen tests positive for a banned substance, then the gold medal can go to our Shasha (Sun's nickname)," one of Sun's extreme fans wrote online after the match. The inflammatory post soon caused widespread anger on both Chinese and international social media platforms, with many calling her "brainless."

"In that match, Sun was the biggest victim of her irrational fans," commented Zhang Fan, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Shanghai University of Sport. She criticized the "fans" who kept cheering for Sun while booing her rival Chen, saying their impolite behaviors didn't do Sun any justice, but rather embarrassed and stressed her on the court.

In China, this voracious fan culture spread to the competitive sporting field during the Rio 2016 Olympics, according to Zhang. This unedifying "culture" quickly developed in the proceeding years and gave rise to many fan groups similar to those in the K-pop entertainment industry, Zhang explained.

China's Olympic table tennis champion Ding Ning will never forget August 20, 2016. On that day, the Chinese table tennis team returned home from the Rio 2016 Olympics with an impressive haul of four gold medals and two silver medals. As the team members arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport, they were greeted by a throng of excited fans. "We were truly amazed by the outpouring of support from the fans at the airport. It was a sight we had never seen before," Ding told the Global Times in a previous exclusive interview.

The Global Times found that leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympics, it was rare to see more than a few dozen fans gathered at the airport to welcome national teams home. The majority of the crowd usually consisted of journalists, with only a handful of supporters present.

However, following the Rio 2016 Games, athletes from various sports, such as table tennis, women's volleyball, diving, and swimming, began to attract a larger following. Fans who previously had little interest in sports started to show their support. In particular, table tennis, which is considered the national sport of China, saw its fan base grow exponentially.

However, the chaotic growth trajectory within some Chinese sports fan communities from 2016 to 2024 reveals several key issues, particularly the extreme behaviors exhibited by fans.

Leading fans control comments and initiate scolding battles on social media, manipulating comment sections and attacking other athletes, referees, clubs, national teams, and governing bodies, which leads to fierce conflicts between different fan groups.

CP fans, who pair athletes or public figures as "couples" or "combinations," create specific fan organizations. They share related photos and videos on social media, flood comment sections with their views, and even write fan fiction, severely impacting the viewing experience of other fans and athletes, and causing undue stress to the athletes involved.

Additionally, the act of proxy photographing and privacy violations is prevalent, where individuals sell athletes' personal information and capture photos or videos of athletes at airports, hotels, training grounds, and competition venues, which are then sold publicly on social media. This seriously infringes on the athletes' privacy.

The sale of signed memorabilia is another issue, with fans haranguing athletes in public places to obtain signatures, later selling these signed items on second-hand trading platforms, with items for sale ranging from autographed photos to signed paddles.

Overzealous support also disrupts competitions, with fans causing disturbances through loud cheering and flash photography during matches, affecting athletes' performances.

These chaotic phenomena not only disrupt athletes' regular training and competitions but also damage the harmonious atmosphere among the athletes.

Fandom distortion

"In China, there used to be a perfect balance between athletes and sports fans where their distance and interaction was 'just right,'" 30-year-old table tennis enthusiast Wu Aichen told the Global Times.

Wu became a fan of Ding Ning after the London 2012 Olympics, and joined the fan group called "Ding Dang," which she believes was one of the earliest fan groups in the Chinese table tennis community.

"Back then, we mainly communicated and connected through QQ chat groups. Our group gradually released fan merchandise like calendars, mostly funded by the fan club leaders. They helped us secure complimentary tickets for the China Table Tennis Super League, and after the games, we could approach the athletes in the fan zone for autographs and photos in an orderly way," Wu recalled.

After the Rio 2016 Olympics, driven by her love for table tennis, Wu also joined other table tennis players' fan groups, where she noticed a change in the nature of these organizations.

"In the beginning, most table tennis fan groups were spontaneous, with no formal organization or decision-making process. But later, there were more leaders in the fan base, and the division of labor became more detailed. The leader became more aggressive in encouraging everyone to buy idol-related cultural products and would push fans to vote on various rankings to attract advertisers for their athletes," Wu observed.

Wu pointed out that most of the active fans of the Chinese table tennis team are young people, particularly teenagers. "This generation of fans sees their idols' growth as a form of self-realization. Idols represent the fans' own aspirations, fulfilling their self-image," she noted.

Zhu Wei, a vice director of the Communication Law Research Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, introduced that China's fan community has now experienced a phenomenon of "breaking the circle," meaning it is no longer confined to the cultural sphere but has extended to all areas.

"This is accompanied by a highly aggressive online environment. The fan community has also trended younger, with various chaotic phenomena emerging," Zhu told the Global Times.

These fans feel a sense of duty that "the idol needs me," constantly creating discussions, and investing to boost the market value of sports stars, hoping to elevate their favorite athletes to the top of the sports fan community, Wu said, also noting that they are not sporting event enthusiasts but just fans.

What are the differences between ordinary sporting event enthusiasts and irrational "fans?" Zhang explained that the unwelcome "fans" are those who unconditionally boast and defend their favorite players, making all sorts of excuses for their failures - even resorting to insulting other players.

"These behaviors have seriously contradicted the open and inclusive spirit of sports," Zhang noted.

Return to reason and faith

"During the current Olympics, the young athletes have actually set a good example for teenagers and young people. They inspired young viewers to put down their video games, develop a love for sports, and foster a sense of patriotism. This is a very positive development," Zhu said.

Facing the surging popularity of table tennis, Ding expressed that what athletes always care most about is their performance in competition. "We speak only with our event results, not exposure."

Conversely, this is a gratifying thing that China's youth are no longer satisfied with idolizing entertainment stars, but are pursuing higher, faster, and stronger quality idols, Wu said.

To some extent, the spread of fan culture in China's competitive sporting field does have a few benefits, such as boosting the promotion of some sports among the young generations, bringing them vitality and more attention, said Zhang.

"But the disadvantages of 'fan culture' far outweigh the benefits." Zhang stressed that the unhealthy "fan culture" harms the atmosphere of competitive sports.

In recent years, China has been trying to curb the spread and intensification of fan community culture.

In May, the General Administration of Sport of China stated that the national sports system will resolutely resist the erosion caused by abnormal fan culture in the sporting field throughout the whole process, stressing that sports should not become the "lead" and "hotbed" for abnormal fan culture to continue to proliferate.

In 2021, the Chinese Olympic Committee called on fans to respect athletes' rights and avoid improper behavior toward them, and resolutely oppose the use of fandom to engage in profiteering activities.

Fortunately, Wu noted that now, in the fan communities of various table tennis athletes, most people are looking at the controversy on the Olympic stage objectively and rationally.

"'Focus on the competition and have rational discussions' is the most frequently mentioned phrase in fan communities now. We can all agree that when athletes are showcasing the Olympic spirit and national honor at their peak. They should not be degraded through irrational fan behaviors," she said.

Wu believes that in the future, more fans will respect the sweat that each athlete puts in, willing to experience the pure charm that comes from sports and show the good qualities of Chinese audiences.

The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has become a hub for Chinese and international visitors to exchange ideas on the latest innovations and technologies across industries. Many foreign attendees are impressed by China’s innovation and technology advancement, as many Chinese firms showcased their latest products. 

Chinese urban air mobility technology platform company EHang Holdings displayed its EH216-S - a domestically developed passenger-carrying unmanned aerial vehicle at this year’s CIFTIS. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft received approval from Chinese civil aviation authority in April to commence production.

Freshly stepping out of the cockpit of the aircraft after being briefed, Manfred Janssen, chief of KolnBusiness Economic Development Agency, told the Global Times that the experience was "very impressive."

“I learned that it is going to fly and operate this year. Good luck to it and I am looking forward to that. It is quite impressive to see how China has become a motor of innovation globally, and suddenly many things are going to happen in the aviation sector. It could be a nice solution to the big cities of the world,” Janssen told reporters.

CIFTIS has become a platform for people from around the world to exchange ideas, share expertise, and collaborate in the fields of green and digital economies.

Janssen, whose delegation signed a memorandum of understanding with their counterpart in Beijing, said the goal is to exchange ideas and explore cooperation between Cologne, Germany and Beijing in the pursuit of green transformation in the economy and industry. The official noted that among the Cologne delegation is Deutz AG, the inventor of internal combustion engine.

During the first two days of the exhibition, several hundreds of foreign guests have visited the booths with a keen interest on China’s emerging low-attitude economy, a staff member of the EHang told the Global Times.

The 2024 CIFTIS is the first large-scale international, comprehensive exhibition held after the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. It underscores China's commitment to further opening up to the world and its readiness to share the benefits of its economic opportunities.

A total of 85 countries and international organizations attended the 2024 CIFTIS, held under the theme "Global Services, Shared Prosperity."

From Thursday to Monday, the China National Convention Center and Shougang Park in Beijing, the venues of the CIFTIS, were crowded with exhibitors and visitors from around the world. Displays featured a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, including AI-powered surgical robots, hydrogen fuel motorbikes, cloud-based AI digital hosts for live-streaming e-commerce, and service robots designed to maintain and replace blades for tunnel boring machines. These exhibits showcased China’s latest advancements in green, digital, and smart technologies, highlighting the nation's tech-driven approach to modernization.

Chinese express delivery firm STO Express showcased its self-developed omnidirectional sorting robot, which can effectively improve efficiency of the sorting process during deliveries.

Mu Yu, a STO representative, told the Global Times that many foreign visitors have expressed interests in the company’s unmanned delivery systems, which include unmanned delivery vehicles and parcel-delivery drones. "They inquired about our overseas business, but for now, we are focusing on the domestic market," Mu said.

“We hope to get a better pulse of the latest technical applications within the domestic and international services industry by participating the CIFTIS, and to see how to best optimize our development path amid the atmosphere of communication and exchange,” said Mu.
The emergence of cutting-edge technology has undoubtedly injected new vitality into services trade in China and around the world. These innovations not only enhance industry efficiency but also showcase China’s significant strengths in technological innovation, analysts said.

"These advanced technology displays at the 2024 CIFTIS are a concentrated expression of China's technological innovation strengths and are also strong proof that China provides innovative solutions to the world and expands opportunities for win-win cooperation," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"These innovative achievements have not only promoted the rapid development of related industries, but also contributed Chinese wisdom and Chinese strength to the prosperity of global trade in services. It is expected that China will achieve breakthroughs in more fields in the future and contribute more 'Chinese solutions' to global scientific and technological development," Wang said.

Three dock workers have been sentenced to prison after being convicted of stealing cultural relics from exposed Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25) tombs in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, according to a report by The Paper on Saturday.
The three men, identified as Liu and two other accomplices, were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from three years and 10 months to four years and six months, and each was fined 30,000 yuan ($4,190).

In 2011, Liu and his co-defendants discovered exposed tombs when the water level in the Three Gorges Reservoir receded. The trio excavated the site and found 20 items, including Western Han Dynasty bronze drinking and ritual vessels. They later gave up to the police and confessed their crimes in March 2024.

China has a large number of buried cultural relics, especially in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. As early as 2 million years ago, the famous Wushan Man lived in this area. The region is also known for the Bachu culture as well as cultural relics.

With the box office of the film Decoded surpassing 300 million yuan ($42 million), it has become a standout work in the 2024 summer movie season. The film, adapted from the novel of the same name by Mao Dun Literature Prize winner Mai Jia, showcases a blend of cinema and literature.

Mai expressed his high regard for the film in an interview with the Global Times, calling it "the ultimate in artistic beauty." Mai said that Decoded is not only a faithful adaptation that adheres to the spirit of literature but also a bold exploration and attempt at artistic pursuit in Chinese cinema.

"I believe that whether it's a novel or a film, to reach the world, it first needs to be technically proficient. If the technical aspects are not addressed, it's difficult to move people," Mai noted.

Decoded demonstrates rare courage and determination in technical innovation. The film team boldly employs cutting-edge techniques such as IMAX photography, high-frame-rate shooting, and virtual reality pre-visualization to elevate the visual and auditory experience to a new level.

The film presents a series of spectacular scenes, including golden reeds, a shining Ferris wheel, giant walruses, deep-sea whirlpools, and enormous computers, all of which provide viewers with a visual feast. Many audiences regard ­Decoded as a visual effects blockbuster.

"Recently, the Chinese market has been ­flooded with a lot of popcorn movies, deliberately pandering to audiences without treating film as an art form, or lacking a cinematic dream. However, the dream in Decoded is particularly grand. For example, to achieve an aesthetic effect, the crew used 60 tons of sand to create a red beach," Mai told the Global Times.

One particularly striking scene takes place on this red beach, which was brought to life by the crew constructing a 5,000-square-meter soundstage and a 2,000-square-meter man-made red beach. It took 90 days to finish the entire process, from construction to filming.

Decoded made full use of innovative technology, presenting key scenes like the confrontation on the red beach and the dreamscape under the setting sun with grandeur and meticulous detail.

From the perspective of a literature enthusiast, Mai said that Decoded is a sophisticated film, turning a grand narrative of mainstream themes into something artistic and aesthetically pleasing.

In recent years, China's film industry has made continuous breakthroughs in technical innovation, artistic exploration, and market strategy, and Decoded has made a significant mark in this process. This film not only attracts audiences with its unique narrative style and visual impact but also promotes the upgrading and transformation of China's film industry on multiple levels.

Chinese humor in English has become a powerful tool for fostering global understanding through cultural products. Social media is buzzing with examples where this unique blend of English, infused with Chinese cultural nuances, not only entertains netizens, but also bridges gaps in cross-cultural communication.

A viral example of Chinese humor in English evolving appeal surfaced when a foreign blogger YourKris shared an emotional post on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu about seeing off her boyfriend at the airport.

Her comments quickly were filled with well-meaning but imperfectly translated messages from Chinese netizens, turning phrases like "You pretty, he ugly, u swan, he frog" into a source of both consolation and amusement. 

This exchange highlighted how Chinese-style English, referred to as Chinglish, once seen as an embarrassing mishmash, has become a unique cultural bridge, resonating with humor and warmth across languages and borders.

Originally, Chinglish was often viewed as mistakes to be corrected or even ridiculed, especially in formal English education in China, where accuracy and native-like pronunciation were emphasized. 

However, after the Beijing 2008 Olympics, when English speakers expressed a relaxed attitude toward Chinglish signs in China, this linguistic blend gained recognition, not just as a source of humor, but as a reflection of the cultural exchange and globalization that characterizes modern China.

The shift in perception is reflected in the gaming ­community, particularly in the recent hit video game Black Myth: Wukong, where terms from Chinese mythology, such as yaoguai, are no longer translated as "monster," but kept in their original form. 

Chinese netizens have started explaining key game terms to foreign players to help them better understand the cultural background of the game. This effort fosters a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness of China.

A writing professor in the US told the Global Times on condition of anonymity that Chinglish is increasingly used by teenagers as a tool for better communication, citing phrases like "Long time no see." 

He emphasized that language, as a form of communication, can evolve with cultural exchanges, making it acceptable to use Chinglish phrases in everyday conversation to achieve better understanding.

The story of German scholar Oliver Radtke also illustrates this shift. His curiosity about Chinese society led him to document the various Chinglish signs he encountered during his travels in 2019. 

Initially, Oliver's project was met with criticism from some Chinese netizens who perceived it as mocking. 

However, as he clarified his intentions - to highlight the charm and creativity within Chinglish - more people began to appreciate the unique cultural interplay these translations represent, according to the Chinese Consulate-General in Frankfurt. 

Chinglish has not only captured the interest of individuals like Oliver, but has also entered broader cultural conversations.

The stage play Chinglish, written by David Henry Hwang in 2011, set in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou Province, explores the complexities and humor of cross-cultural communication. 

The play underscores how Chinglish can create both challenges and opportunities for understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.

Moreover, the incorporation of Chinglish into mainstream language resources, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, further solidifies its status as a recognized linguistic form. 

Phrases like "add oil" - a cheer meaning "go for it" are now officially recorded in the dictionary, demonstrating how Chinglish captures uniquely Chinese expressions that resonate globally. 

These entries, often related to Chinese culture and food, highlight the growing influence of Chinglish as a distinct variant of English.

However, the US professor also expressed concern over the potential misuse of Chinglish, emphasizing that while it can be effective in oral communication, it remains unsuitable for formal and academic settings. Learning and using standard English remains important in public and professional contexts.

The spread of Chinglish reflects a broader acceptance of linguistic diversity and the idea that language evolves with cultural exchange. 

The playful mix of languages has become a way for people worldwide to engage with Chinese culture, often leading to moments of cross-cultural understanding and amusement.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held a joint naval exercise with the Egyptian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, with observers on Wednesday highlighting the PLA Navy's strides toward blue water operations and the deepening of friendships with its foreign counterparts.

After completing a five-day friendly visit to Egypt, the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo and the Type 903A comprehensive replenishment ship Honghu of the PLA Navy's 46th escort task group embarked from the Egyptian port city Alexandria on Monday local time and held a joint maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea with the Egyptian side, the PLA Navy said in a press release on Wednesday.

The joint exercise took place in waters to the north of Alexandria, as the Jiaozuo and the Honghu joined forces with the Egyptian Navy's FREMM multipurpose frigate Al-Galala and carried out training courses including communications coordination, formation maneuvering and maritime replenishment positioning, the PLA Navy said.

During the drill, the two navies' ships took turn to command in close coordination, and successfully completed all scheduled trainings before holding a flotilla separation ceremony, according to the PLA Navy.

During the Chinese warships' visit in Alexandria from August 15 to Monday, sailors from the two sides visited each other's vessels and took part in activities including professional exchanges and soccer friendly matches, as the visit significantly promoted exchanges between the two navies and deepened friendship between the two countries, the PLA Navy said.

Before visiting Egypt, the two Chinese naval vessels visited St. Petersburg in celebration of Russia's navy day, after which they held a joint exercise with the Russian Navy in the Gulf of Finland in late July, according to the PLA Navy.

The PLA Navy vessels' consecutive visits to Russia and Egypt and joint drills with them show deep friendships and high levels of pragmatic cooperation, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Observers noted the long distance the Chinese warships have sailed. The 46th escort task group set out from South China's Guangdong Province in February and conducted escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, before sailing all the way to St. Petersburg and then Alexandria on the return voyage.

It reflects that the PLA Navy is capable of operating in distant waters for extended periods, the expert said, highlighting the PLA Navy's progress in its pursuit of building a blue-water navy.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will visit China from August 27 to 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Saturday, and the two sides will hold a new round of China-US strategic communication. 

Observers said maintaining open communication channels at a high level between China and the US is crucial to avoiding misunderstandings in the current complex China-US relationship. The visit to China, the first by Sullivan, will also provide an opportunity to discuss urgent issues of concern and manage differences. 

Sullivan's visit is at the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Saturday. 

The Financial Times described the visit as "part of a broader effort to stabilize the relationship between the two superpowers."

Sullivan's upcoming visit comes only months before the US presidential election. 

During recent discussions on drug control and financial stability, the overall atmosphere between the two countries was calm, with a focus on addressing specific and practical issues. However, tensions remain elevated due to actions taken by the Biden administration in areas such as economic and trade policies, in addition to national security. These actions have had a detrimental effect on the relationship between the two countries, Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. "We may now find it very difficult to rely on a national security advisor to ease ties." 

However, China will remain open for discussion as long as it is conducive to developing situation in a stable direction.

Maintaining open communication channels at a high level between China and the US is crucial in preventing misunderstandings, and the visit will provide an opportunity to discuss pressing issues and address differences promptly, accurately, and effectively, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

As two major global powers, China and the US maintain that high-level visits are crucial for stabilizing the expectations of other countries. This is particularly true regarding the current and future development order and the handling of transnational issues, Li noted. 

Li believed that China will express core concerns to the US during Sullivan's visit. The US persistently interferes in China's internal affairs, including issues related to Taiwan and human rights. Recently, on the South China Sea issue, the US has been encouraging the Philippines to provoke tensions, reflecting its ulterior motive to create problems for China, Li said.

Such behavior clearly violates the basic principles of international relations and the UN Charter. The US defines its relationship with China as one of competition, which clearly goes against the objective reality that neither side can do without the other or change the other, Li said. 

In areas such as drug trafficking, climate change response, and the maintenance of the non-proliferation system, there may be progress, but whether both sides will have very practical measures to stabilize their strategic relationship remain to be seen, Li said. 

"The most important thing is to look at the actual actions of the US. The US talks big, but its actions could be very disappointing."

Wang Yi and Sullivan have met four times over the last year and a half, according to a recent AFP report. 

An official from China’s delegation for the Paris Olympic Games clarified rumors about the Chinese team bringing self-installed air conditioning and their own mattresses at an online press conference held Wednesday.

Zhang Xin, the secretary-general of the Chinese Olympic delegation, said that the Olympic Village can provide mobile air conditioning rental services. The delegation will consider renting based on the weather conditions. It is not true that the team had their own air conditioning installed, and it is also not true that the delegation brought their own mattresses, Zhang said, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese delegation and nearly 20 teams have already settled in the Olympic Village. Zhang said that at every Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee and the event organizing committee provide excellent services for athletes from around the world. 

“Compared to previous Olympic Games, the accommodation and dining conditions, living environment, training, competition, venues, and transportation services in the Paris Olympic Village all have their own characteristics, but the basic standards remain consistent,” Zhang said.

Rumors about Chinese athletes in the Olympic Village installing their own air conditioning units and bringing their own mattresses are false. Each delegation is assigned accommodation with different cooling systems, and the Olympic Village provides rental services for portable air conditioners.

“It is not true that we brought over 300 air conditioners with us. The Olympic Village can provide portable air conditioning rental services, and the delegation will assess the weather conditions and the need for air conditioning,” said Zhang. If necessary, the delegation may consider renting portable air conditioners for specific teams, according to Zhang.

Regarding the rumors of bringing their own mattresses, Zhang said that there are a few athletes or staff members who may have their own sleeping habits, or they may be staying in official hotels outside the village. In order to better serve the athletes, they sometimes prefer to sleep on the floor in the village, so will prepare mattresses. 

“Interpreting one mattress as the entire delegation bringing their own mattresses, which is also inaccurate,” Zhang noted.

Chinese athletes “are not delicate flowers in a greenhouse, they can actively overcome various challenges and make timely adjustments. Currently, each team is focusing on pre-match training and preparing for the competition seriously,” Zhang said. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta on Monday, saying that China's comprehensive deepening of reforms will provide new impetus and opportunities for global economic development and bilateral cooperation.

Noting that the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee was held successfully two weeks ago, Xi said China will further comprehensively deepen reform and promote high-quality development and high-level opening up, which will provide new impetus and new opportunities for global economic development and cooperation between China and Timor-Leste.

China is ready to work with Timor-Leste to take the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Ramos-Horta arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit to China that will last till Wednesday, which is his first visit since he took office in 2022 and the first state visit to China by a Timor-Leste president since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002.

Xi emphasized that China is ready to work with Timor-Leste toward long-term and stable development of bilateral relations by firmly supporting each other to build a higher level of bilateral relations, adhering to mutual benefit and win-win situations to carry out higher-quality practical cooperation, and promoting a higher level of multilateral collaboration.

Chen Hong, executive director of the Asia Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University, said on the basis of such cooperation, the two parties can make use of their respective strengths.

Ramos-Horta thanked China for its long-term and valuable support for Timor-Leste's economic and social development and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Timor-Leste hopes to further consolidate and develop its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, strengthen cooperation in areas such as food security and infrastructure development, so that to help Timor-Leste achieve development.

Timor-Leste also firmly adheres to the one-China principle, believes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, opposes "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, and supports China's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ramos-Horta also said that the South China Sea issue should be resolved by the countries concerned through negotiations, and Timor-Leste is willing to work with China and other countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The two countries signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of agriculture, green development, digital economy and air transportation.

Chen told the Global Times on Monday that China, in particular, has extensive experience in these areas, which fully demonstrates what is meant by higher-quality practical cooperation, as Ramos-Horta also acknowledged during the talks that he had visited China several times since 1976 and had witnessed the radical changes that had taken place in the country.

Chinese technology companies are showcasing their cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) products to the world at the Paris Olympic Games, a move that has gained wide recognition, the Global Times learned from companies on Sunday.

The participation of Chinese companies highlighted their capability to shine at the world's top sports event. It also shows that China's AI technology is bringing a new level of innovation and efficiency to the world event, Chinese experts said.

"Alibaba plays an essential role when it comes to supporting technology during the Olympic Games, greatly increasing the efficiency and sustainability of Olympic Games operations," International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said during an event in Paris on Saturday. He highlighted the partnership between the IOC and Alibaba as a significant step toward embracing the digital era in sports.

Chinese AI-driven technology is providing advanced solutions for various aspects of the Paris Olympics, including real-time live commentary, 360 degree livestreaming technology, visual searches and more, the Xinhua News Agency reported. AI applications developed by Chinese tech companies such as Alibaba, SenseTime, Baidu and Lenovo have benefited athletes, coaches, referees and spectators of the world sports competition.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics is ongoing, the world is witnessing a new era of sports broadcasting, one in which Chinese AI and cloud technology are playing a crucial role.

Alibaba told the Global Times on Sunday that more than two-thirds of the live broadcast signals will be facilitated by Alibaba's cloud broadcasting services, enabling transmission from Paris to more than 200 countries and regions globally, reaching billions of viewers worldwide.

Alibaba's large language model (LLM) Tongyi Qianwen is being used in assisting the IOC's official commentators during the Games, the company said.

Moreover, Alibaba's cloud computing unit is offering an AI-infused platform to support the broadcasting of the Paris 2024 Olympics, overtaking the satellite broadcasting system adopted six decades ago as the main method of distribution, the South China Morning Post reported. 

In addition to supporting the broadcast coverage, Chinese AI tools will assist athletes with analyzing their performances and will be deployed to "enhance the fairness and accuracy of judging and refereeing through the provision of precise metrics," according to the IOC.

Chinese AI company SenseTime told the Global Times that it is also working with the China men's national basketball team to offer AI-driven sports data analysis and advice on strategy during the competition. 

The Chinese national diving team utilizes Baidu's LLM Wenxin Yiyan to provide accurate information in a timely manner, and even score diving movements in real time for precise quantitative analysis and guidance.

According to the Olympic Broadcasting Services, it is collaborating with Alibaba to provide a record number of multi-camera replay systems with AI-powered, high-quality reconstruction in the cloud, to create three-dimensional models and mapping of additional viewpoints across 21 sports and disciplines. This will deliver more compelling replays from more camera angles.

The innovative use of AI technology is supporting the athletes and revolutionizing the way audiences experience the event, said experts. It's enhancing the viewing experience while setting new standards for future Olympic Games and the broader application of AI in sports and beyond.

AI is being integrated into every aspect of our lives, and it has made its way to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said on Sunday.

Notably, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris is the first Olympic Games to implement AI technology at a significant level. In a groundbreaking initiative, the IOC launched the Olympic AI Agenda in April, setting out the envisioned impact that AI can deliver for sports. The Paris Games will witness the first examples of implementation, said the IOC on its official website.

AI can help to identify athletes and talent in every corner of the world. AI can provide more athletes with access to personalized training methods, superior sports equipment, and more individualized programs to stay fit and healthy, Bach said.

China's AI technology is expected to bring a new level of innovation and efficiency to the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcasing the country's cutting-edge capabilities in the field. The Paris Olympics serves as a platform for displaying athletic achievements and for demonstrating the power of AI innovation on the global stage, Liu Gang, chief economist at the Chinese Institute of New Generation AI Development Strategies, told the Global Times on Sunday.