The article discusses China's environmental challenges and the country's response to them, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights a survey showing overwhelming public support for a wildlife trade ban, which was subsequently enacted. The piece examines China's rapid urbanization and its impact on the environment, as well as the government's commitment to ecological protection, including the introduction of policies like the 'ecological red line' and the establishment of national parks. The upcoming fifteenth United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) in Kunming is mentioned as a significant event where China will showcase its environmental efforts. The article also touches on the work of conservation scientists and NGOs in promoting sustainable practices and protecting biodiversity.

The article discusses China's environmental challenges and the country's response to them, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights a survey showing overwhelming public support for a wildlife trade ban, which was subsequently enacted. The piece examines China's rapid urbanization and its impact on the environment, as well as the government's commitment to ecological protection, including the introduction of policies like the 'ecological red line' and the establishment of national parks. The upcoming fifteenth United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) in Kunming is mentioned as a significant event where China will showcase its environmental efforts. The article also touches on the work of conservation scientists and NGOs in promoting sustainable practices and protecting biodiversity.

China's response to the COVID-19 outbreak included the deployment of robotic technology in healthcare settings to minimize human contact. Guang-Zhong Yang of the Institute of Medical Robotics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University shared his experience with a delivery robot during quarantine. China's 2012 economic plan emphasized the development of service robots for social functions, including healthcare. The country faces a shortage of healthcare workers, with only 2 doctors per 1,000 people compared to the OECD average of 3.5. Robotics in medical sectors, such as nursing and surgery, is a priority, with the West China Hospital of Sichuan University incorporating robotic technology since 2012. The hospital uses the da Vinci system for minimally invasive surgery and plans to expand the use of logistics robots. The Chinese robotics market is young, with home-grown companies like Cobot and Tinavi Medical Technologies emerging. Yao Li of Borns Medical Robotics aims to create an integrated robotic surgical system and is navigating the complex process of meeting regulatory requirements. The development of Chinese robotics is seen as a way to address healthcare demands and reduce costs.

In China, the intense competition for educational success begins as early as kindergarten, with parents enrolling their children in additional classes to prepare for primary school entrance exams. Despite government guidelines promoting a low-pressure, well-rounded early education, parents feel compelled to push their children into after-school cram schools. This pressure stems from the belief that early academic success is crucial for future opportunities. The system creates stress for both children and parents, with some parents resorting to aggressive behavior towards their children. Experts suggest a need for better alignment between kindergarten and primary school education to alleviate this pressure.