By Colin Robinson, CCTV.com reporter
A popular exhibition highlighting China's biggest achievements is being held at the Beijing Exhibition Center from Sept. 26 till the end of November.
(Visitors flock to the Beijing Exhibition Center to take a look at China’s biggest achievements during the past five years. Photo by Colin Robinson)
The exhibition, which attracted large crowds, displayed the nation's greatest successes of recent years in fields such as technology, healthcare, culture and the fight against corruption. There were many case studies of rural areas that had become more prosperous and improved their infrastructure. The exhibition also presented examples of China's technological advancements, including the AG600 hydroplane, a self-driving car and AI robots. Among the main highlights were the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), a demonstration of a health check system for rural residents and a 3D printing machine.
BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
There were several interactive demonstrations of the capacity of BeiDou, one of the most advanced satellite networks in the world, at the exhibition. For example, there was a flight simulator and a driving simulator that used the navigation system; there were also several models displaying its size and scale.
(The writer is experiencing driving a plane in a flight simulator loaded with BDS. Photo by Li Shouen)
BeiDou is already well established and has numerous applications; most significantly, it was used in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, playing an important role in providing data that was used for rescue operations. It is also used in border patrol operations in southwest China’s Yunnan province, which has borders with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.
There could be even bigger achievements ahead for BeiDou, which has an annual turnover of $31.5billion, could even overtake GPS in global usage once it is completed and all 35 of its satellites are in operation, which is scheduled to happen in 2020. According to China Satellite Navigation Office, it will be more accurate than GPS.
Health check system
Another of the highlights was a machine that is used in remote areas of the country that can test users for health problems. Users stand on scales and have some scans on their arms and hands to determine any issues. When the user scans their ID card, the user’s local hospital can then be informed of any problems.
The machine, manufactured in Xianyang, Shaanxi province, has been in use for one year; it is currently used in northwest China's Qinghai and Gansu provinces. The system has huge potential to monitor users’ health conditions and resolve any medical issues as soon as possible, while they are still treatable.
3D printing machine
Another popular exhibit was a 3D printing machine that could recreate intricate patterns and designs using mashed potato in a matter of moments. This is just a simple demonstration of how impressive and efficient 3D printing can be. And China, as one the biggest manufacturing countries in the world, has embraced 3D printing, with sales of 3D printers accelerating in the last few years; it is estimated that sales will surpass 20,000 by 2020.
Though the industry is still developing in China, several companies around the country are already using 3D printing in innovative ways. For example, Sichuan Revotek successfully 3D printed blood vessels and transplanted them into rhesus monkeys. The success of this test is said to be the first step toward 3D printing organs for humans.
(The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
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