China This Week: Census Results Revealed, ‘Smart’ Satellite Factory

There has been a lot of focus on “aging populations” around the world, and China is no exception. Data shows an increase in the share of the population aged over 65 to 13.5%./Nikada/Getty
There has been a lot of focus on “aging populations” around the world, and China is no exception. Data shows an increase in the share of the population aged over 65 to 13.5%./Nikada/Getty
1. Six Takeaways from China’s Seventh National Population Census
China released key indicators from the seventh national population census on Tuesday. The data provides new insights into China’s latest demographic trends and reveals vital information that will help shape the country’s policies over the next 10 years.
Headlines include an increase in the number of people aged over 65 to 264.02 million between 2010 and 2020, or 13% of the population, while almost a quarter of the country has a university education or higher.
2. China ready to mass-produce satellites with first smart assembly line
China’s first satellite entirely manufactured via a “smart” automated production line rolled off the assembly line on Thursday, establishing the country’s mass production capacity for such equipment.
The Wuhan-based factory increases production efficiency by more than 40% and can build 240 satellites per year, each weighing less than a ton.
3. Alibaba reports net loss of $1.17 billion due to record antitrust fine
Alibaba Group reported an operating loss of 7.66 billion yuan ($1.17 billion) in the fiscal quarter ended March 31 due to a massive antitrust fine imposed by China’s market regulator last month .
The company’s operating income would have increased 48% year-on-year if the fine had not been taken into account, it said in its latest earnings report.

China has promoted disease prevention and control to a higher position, said Wang Hufeng, a professor at Renmin University of China./IMAGEMORE/
China has promoted disease prevention and control to a higher position, said Wang Hufeng, a professor at Renmin University of China./IMAGEMORE/
4. China inaugurates national disease control and prevention office
The Chinese National Office for Disease Control and Prevention was officially inaugurated in the capital Beijing. The office will assume responsibilities in the formulation, oversight and management of infectious disease containment policies with the aim of improving the national emergency response.
The new agency will help us better respond to public health emergencies, organize and mobilize national efforts to prevent and control them
– Zhong Nanshan, China’s top respiratory disease expert
5. Beijing Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Muslims in Beijing celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Thursday under strict COVID-19 containment measures.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important Muslim holidays celebrated around the world after the culmination of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
6. China names 26-member preliminary team for Tokyo Olympic gymnastics
China has announced a provisional team for Olympic gymnastics competition following its national championships which wrapped up in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province, over the weekend.
The Tokyo-bound team now consists of 12 men and 14 women. To ensure the most competitive athletes are selected, two more trials will be held in June and July for the men’s and women’s teams, according to China’s gymnastics administrative center.

The women’s uneven bars gold medal went to Li Shijia, whose 15.033 points were enough to see her claim her first national title in the individual events./CFP
The women’s uneven bars gold medal went to Li Shijia, whose 15.033 points were enough to see her claim her first national title in the individual events./CFP
7. Digital technologies used to reconstruct 1,500-year-old caves in a virtual world
Using three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning and multi-planar reconstruction, the Yungang Caves Research Institute strives to capture the shapes, colors and other fine details of the World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
The images created are millimeter-accurate digital archives that can be used for future study and preservation.
Yungang Grottoes has a total of 254 caves of various sizes and over 59,000 Buddha statues. With a complex of caves stretching about a kilometer from east to west, it is one of the largest ancient caves in the country.
8. A first-hand look at the Hainan Expo
Hainan hosted China’s first international consumer products expo with many brands offering duty-free shopping on site. Those who missed overseas shopping sprees during the pandemic may have found instant gratification
Fashion, jewelry and cars were all on display in hopes of catering to what is the fastest growing luxury market in the world.

The Hainan expo was designed to boost domestic consumption while attracting top global brands through the city’s free trade port./VCG/
The Hainan expo was designed to boost domestic consumption while attracting top global brands through the city’s free trade port./VCG/
9. ‘Long March’ by painter Li Keran will fetch $18 million at auction
China Guardian Auctions, one of the country’s largest art auction houses, has opened its spring season. More than 6,000 objects will go under the hammer this season, including a wide range of works of art from around the world.
“Long March,” by the late Li Keran, is expected to fetch 120 million yuan ($18 million), the highest auction this season. Li Keran was a prominent Chinese painter in 20th-century Chinese art, known for his depictions of landscapes using both traditional and experimental techniques.
ten. Chinese citizens’ trust in government rises to 98 percent
Chinese citizens’ trust in their government rose to 98% several months after the onset of COVID-19, according to a survey published by the Washington Post.
The survey was conducted at the end of April 2020 and 19,816 people from China were interviewed.