Yanwen’s blog

1/14/2025

China is facing an undeniable demographic reality: an aging population. This year, the number of people aged 60 and above has already reached 290 million, accounting for over 20% of the total population. If current trends persist, by 2050, every two individuals under the age of 65 will support one person aged 65 or older. These numbers are irreversible and present significant challenges, but also unique opportunities.

While some view this demographic shift with apprehension, others see it as a chance to innovate. They recognize that the market is changing, along with the needs and preferences of consumers. By adapting to these changes, creative solutions can be developed.

Take Huangshan in Anhui Province, for example. Known for its dual UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage designation, Huangshan is a world-famous scenic area. However, its tourism model has long been constrained by traditional thinking. Visitors typically climb the mountain, enjoy the breathtaking views on the mountain top, and then leave, paying little attention to the equally stunning landscapes at the mountain’s base. This leaves much of the natural beauty untapped.

Additionally, Huangshan's tourism industry faces the challenge of seasonality. During peak times, hotels, restaurants, and scenic areas are overcrowded, while off-peak seasons leave these resources underutilized. Also, young tourists crowd the peak season. This has prompted locals to think beyond the conventional tourism framework.

Why not transform Huangshan into more than just a tourist destination? Why not make it a wellness retreat—particularly for seniors, given China’s rapidly aging population?

In Tankou Village, Yi County (黟县潭口村), just three and a half hours by high-speed train from Shanghai, this idea has come to life. Thirteen vacant houses in the village have been converted into apartments, cafés, and bakeries to host elderly residents from a senior community in Shanghai’s Pudong district. These seniors travel as a group, paying just 150 yuan per day, which covers food, accommodation, and more.

What makes this experience special is the familiarity it preserves. The neighbors are the same as in their original community, the building manager remains the same friendly face and dialect they know, and lifelong friends are there with them. The only difference is that they’re now in a beautiful, serene environment where they can enjoy life together for as long as they choose. A real treat for these city dwellers.

This isn’t an isolated example. In nearby villages, locals are finding creative ways to cater to the senior population. By embracing the inevitability of demographic change, they are transforming challenges into opportunities.

Adaptation and Innovation

In Huangshan, innovation is evident in how resources are repurposed and reused:

- Vacant village houses have been turned into retreats for urban elderly groups, maintaining their sense of community while providing a peaceful natural environment.

- Tourism offerings have shifted to target seniors instead of the traditional younger crowd, revitalizing underused assets and generating sustainable revenue for the locals.

Broader Implications

This approach highlights a critical lesson: what initially seems like a problem can be an economic opportunity. An aging population has the potential to drive growth in industries such as healthcare, wellness tourism, senior retreats, and senior-friendly real estate.

Huangshan’s story demonstrates how embracing change with creativity and a problem-solving mindset can yield unexpected benefits. By rethinking challenges like off-peak seasons, idle resources, and demographic shifts, local communities have unlocked new potential.

Their efforts serve as an inspiring example of adaptation and innovation grounded in cultural and environmental appreciation. By looking for opportunities within challenges, we can not only survive but thrive in the face of inevitable societal change.

1/13/2025

My younger sister, smart and capable, often shares the story of how she navigated the complex healthcare system to secure the best treatment for her husband’s colon cancer. She emphasizes that without her efforts, he might not have survived. We’ve heard her recount this story more than once.

Her repeated storytelling likely reflects a deep need for validation and recognition of her dedication to her family. It serves as a reminder of the critical role she played in overcoming a crisis as profound as battling late-stage cancer.  

Perhaps, in her shoes, many of us would feel the same urge to tell and retell our story. In truth, we might all be like her in one way or another—yearning to be seen, understood, and appreciated for our efforts.  

On the topic of health and wellness, I recently came across an intriguing story about a company in China. The company implemented a policy to encourage employee fitness by tying annual bonuses to physical activity. Employees are required to run approximately 62 miles each month to qualify for a higher bonus. Specifically, they can earn 130% of a month’s salary as an annual bonus if they meet this target.

On the positive side, this policy incentivizes wellness by directly linking physical activity to financial rewards. It could encourage healthier lifestyles, addressing long-term health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and sedentary habits rampant in China today. For the company, it may result in fewer sick days, medical cost and increased productivity.

Another potential benefit is the opportunity for growth in the wellness market. With an emphasis on fitness, policies like this could drive demand for innovations such as wearable technology and health-focused investments in China.

This reminds me of 工间操 (gōng jiān cāo)—"workplace exercise" or "calisthenics during work breaks." These are physical routines that employees perform during breaks, often as a group, outdoors with fresh air, to promote health and refreshment. This practice is common in Chinese workplaces and typically goes with music or instructions played over a loudspeaker.

In the context of Chinese culture, where collectivism often emphasizes shared goals and responsibilities, such incentives align with societal norms. The cultural acceptance of linking personal exercise with professional performance might explain why such policies are more feasible in China compared to other countries.

In contrast, policies like this might face stronger backlash in the United States, where individuality and personal choice are highly valued. Americans often view lifestyle decisions, such as exercise, as personal matters that should remain voluntary. While wellness programs are generally seen as beneficial, making them a requirement for financial benefits could feel coercive rather than encouraging. Employees might resist such policies if they feel pressured to comply, especially when physical ability, age, or health conditions limit their capacity to meet the targets.

Furthermore, Americans place greater emphasis on workplace boundaries. Tying bonuses to personal lifestyle choices could be perceived as overreach, leading to resentment or decreased morale as employees feel their private lives are being micromanaged by their employer.

This policy provides a fascinating case study for cultural comparisons. It highlights key differences in labor expectations and individual autonomy between East and West. In Western cultures, where work-life balance and personal choice are paramount, such policies are less likely to go down well. 

Conversely, in China, the emphasis on collective wellness and shared responsibility makes this approach more acceptable, offering a unique lens into the intersection of culture and workplace practices. Additionally, the practical mindset of many Chinese people comes into play—recognizing the benefits of exercise, and with the added incentive of financial bonuses, they might think, "Why not?"

1/12/2025

Earlier this year, I read with excitement an article titled "China Has Confirmed That Covering a Desert With Solar Panels Changes the Ecosystem. For Good." The findings it discussed were nothing short of groundbreaking.

Chinese researchers from Xi’an University of Technology conducted a study at the Qinghai Gonghe Photovoltaic Park, a massive one-gigawatt solar facility located in the Talatan Desert, Qinghai Province. Their research revealed that large-scale solar installations can positively transform desert ecosystems, debunking previous concerns about the environmental impact of such infrastructure.

Key Findings of the Study

Using the DPSIR model (Driving forces–Pressures–State–Impact–Response), the researchers analyzed 57 environmental indicators, including temperature fluctuations, humidity, soil composition, plant diversity, and microbial activity. Here’s what they found:

Soil Quality: Solar panels improved soil moisture retention and nutrient content.

Vegetation: Plant species grew more abundantly and with greater diversity under the panels.  

Microclimate: Temperature fluctuations decreased, and humidity levels rose, creating a more life-sustaining environment.  

Microbial Activity: Populations of beneficial soil microorganisms increased.

Microclimate: A Key Driver

The shade provided by the solar panels created a localized microclimate that reduced temperature extremes and evaporation rates. This, in turn, allowed for more stable environmental conditions conducive to life.

The Big Picture: Deserts as Dual-Purpose Landscapes

This research challenges conventional perceptions of deserts as barren wastelands. With the integration of solar farms, deserts can serve a dual purpose:

Energy Generation: Producing clean, renewable energy to combat climate change.  

Ecological Restoration: Encouraging biodiversity and combatting desertification.

Broader Implications   The study’s implications stretch far beyond China. It offers a blueprint for sustainable energy development worldwide, particularly in arid regions. By turning deserts into hubs of energy production and ecological rejuvenation, we can address two global challenges—climate change and environmental degradation—simultaneously.  

A Call for Long-Term Monitoring   While the results are promising, researchers emphasize the need for continuous monitoring. This will help ensure that benefits are maximized, and any unforeseen negative effects are addressed promptly.

Changing Perspectives   This study is a game-changer. It shifts how we perceive renewable energy infrastructure: from being a necessary trade-off to a tool for ecological healing. It also promises many development opportunities in desert lands in China and in Africa. By integrating solar farms with desert ecosystems, technology and nature can work together to create a more sustainable future.

Conclusion  As global efforts to combat desertification and promote clean energy intensify, China’s pioneering work in the Talatan Desert serves as a roadmap. It shows us that with innovation and vision, even the harshest landscapes can be transformed into thriving centers of biodiversity and clean energy production.

1/11/2025

On January 7, 2025, during a meeting with my Korean student, she shared some challenges she’s currently facing. Her experiences mirror what many of us encounter—coping with numerous changes and uncertainties in life. I followed up the next day with this message, which serves as a reminder to us all. Whenever I share a pep talk like this, I find myself equally encouraged.

“It seems like your life is currently filled with changes, choices, and uncertainties. In times like these, it’s natural to feel disoriented or even stressed. Finding a core value or an anchor to hold onto can make a significant difference. That’s where a New Year’s Resolution can help. Perhaps you can start asking yourself questions like: What matters most to me right now, and what will still matter in 10 or 20 years? Then, put those answers into your resolution as a constant reminder.”

Speaking of challenges, few have been as monumental as those facing China’s semiconductor industry. Since the imposition of US sanctions, China has struggled to develop advanced chipmaking technologies.

An article published in MIT Technology Review by Zeyi Yang on February 6, 2024, titled "Why China Is Betting Big on Chiplets," sheds light on how China is responding to these challenges. And there's another one on Qinghua's photonic "chiplet Taichi."

The Promise of Chiplets

Chiplets are modular components of a chip, each designed for a specific function, such as data processing or storage. These components can be connected to form a complete system. Unlike traditional monolithic chips, chiplets are cheaper to produce, easier to customize, and faster to upgrade. Crucially, they enable manufacturers to circumvent the need for cutting-edge chipmaking technologies by combining less-advanced chiplets to achieve similar performance.

The article highlights that China’s chiplet development is a collective effort involving venture capitalists, startups, academic researchers, and government initiatives. 

Academic Research: Organizations like the National Nature Science Foundation of China are funding chiplet research. 

Local Industry Hubs: Cities like Wuxi are positioning themselves as centers for chiplet production, earning the nickname "Chiplet Valley."

Startups: Companies such as Polar Bear Tech, Chiplego, and others are making strides in chiplet-based technologies, with products like the AI chip Qiming 930.

Challenges on the Path to Progress  

Despite its potential, chiplet technology faces significant hurdles:  

Compatibility and Standardization: For chiplets to work seamlessly together, universal technical standards are crucial. However, disagreements over standards—both globally and within China—threaten to slow progress.  

Technical Limitations: Issues like power consumption, heat management, and system reliability could undermine the performance of chiplet-based systems.

Performance Gap: While chiplets are promising, they are unlikely to match the capabilities of cutting-edge monolithic chips in the near future.

Reasons for Hope

The article maintains an optimistic tone about China’s semiconductor future. Three key strengths support this outlook:  

A Practical Workaround: Chiplets offer a viable way for China to sidestep US sanctions and leverage its existing capabilities to create competitive chips.

Strength in Packaging: China already controls 38% of the global chip packaging market, giving it a strategic advantage in integrating chiplets effectively.

Scalability and Cost Efficiency: The modular nature of chiplets aligns well with China’s ability to scale production and reduce costs.

Moreover, there is substantial financial backing from venture capitalists, government initiatives, and startups. Coordinated efforts at both national and local levels further bolster China’s ability to prioritize technological development.

Road Ahead  

Still, the road to technological self-reliance is fraught with uncertainties. Success will depend on sustained investment, strategic focus, and the ability to innovate independently in critical areas like advanced packaging and lithography. While chiplets are not a magic solution, they represent a meaningful step forward in China’s efforts to overcome its current challenges.

Ultimately, China’s steady progress and adaptability could position it as a stronger player in the semiconductor industry. While the journey will not be smooth-sailing, the collective willpower and resources being devoted to this endeavor suggest that the success is not far away.

1/10/2025

The Shigatse earthquake made headlines around the world, but there’s another side to this story that remains mostly untold.

The earthquake struck on January 7, 2025, with its epicenter in Tingri County, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, in the middle section of the Himalayas. Tingri County, part of Shigatse City in Tibet, is renowned for its proximity to the world's highest peak.

Located at an average altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), this region’s high-altitude Himalayan terrain is as breathtaking as it is unforgiving. The combination of rugged landscapes and extreme elevations poses significant challenges to rescue and relief operations following natural disasters like earthquakes.

Despite these obstacles, China launched a swift and highly coordinated rescue effort, which is a story worth telling. The following timeline highlights the speed and efficiency of China's response:

9:00 AM, January 7: The earthquake struck.

9:10 AM: Military aircraft were dispatched to the affected area.

9:30 AM: Rescue operations began, with teams working to demolish damaged buildings to search for survivors.

Same day: 200 soldiers collectively donated 90,000 milliliters of blood.

3:00 PM: Power was restored in the county town.

5:00 PM: Regional remote sensing maps were made available.

7:00 PM: Communication networks were largely restored. 

Night. Despite sub-zero temperatures, rescue teams worked through the night.

Morning, January 8: The national highway was mostly cleared, enabling better access to the affected areas.

January 8: Hot meals were delivered to the impacted region.

Early January 8: A team of medical experts departed from Shanghai.

Afternoon, January 8: Authorities announced that disaster relief supplies were fully stocked, eliminating the need for further donations.

Currently, over 14,000 rescue workers are on the ground, and 46,000 people have been relocated and resettled in heated shelters.

This extraordinary rescue effort is a testament to the spirit and the tradition of mutual aid captured by the Chinese saying, "一方有难，八方支援" (Yī fāng yǒu nàn, bā fāng zhī yuán) when one place is in trouble, help pours in from all directions. The swift response to this disaster exemplifies this deeply ingrained value.

Natural disasters like earthquakes are inevitable, but their aftermath need not be catastrophic. The Shigatse earthquake rescue drive showcased how a swift, well-coordinated response can make an enormous difference in minimizing the damages, saving lives and alleviating suffering.

China's rapid mobilization of resources, personnel, and aid provides a powerful example of what can be achieved when a nation unites to confront disasters like earthquake or wildfire.

If countries worldwide could adopt similar efficiency and preparedness in disaster response, countless lives could be saved, and communities could recover more quickly from the devastation.

The Shigatse rescue efforts stand as a great true story and a reminder that, while we cannot prevent nature's forces, we can control how we respond—with speed, compassion, and unwavering determination.