At the recent 2026 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum Annual Conference in Beijing, Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of New York-based tech magazine Wired, said that China stands at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, including AI, and is poised to become a truly "cool" benchmark that inspires the world.

This perspective reflects a broader observation: fueled by a bold, pioneering spirit, China's tech innovation is stepping up on the global stage, injecting fresh energy into the world's innovation landscape.

What makes China "cool" is its pioneering drive to lead globally.

A humanoid robot shows its ability to grab items at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference, Beijing, March 25. (Photo: People's Daily)

There was a time when outside observers viewed Chinese innovation as largely imitative. That is no longer the case. The facts speak for themselves: China leads in electric vehicles, impresses the world with large AI models, expands lunar knowledge through the Chang'e-6 far-side samples, and breaks new ground with super-strong carbon fiber materials. Increasingly, "Created in China" achievements are filling gaps in global technology.

This steady stream of innovation comes from long-term commitment and accumulated capability. Sustained increases in research and development investment, expansion of the talent pool, and persistent efforts to master core technologies have enabled successive "from zero to one" breakthroughs.

As a British media outlet observed, the power to define "original innovation" is quietly shifting east, with Western enterprises now racing to keep pace with China in innovation, production and standard-setting.

China's "coolness" also lies in how widely and deeply its technologies are integrated into daily life.

At the 2026 ZGC Forum, "swarm intelligence" demonstrations drew attention: robots operating food stalls, robotic arms handling strings and sewing needles, and augmented-reality translation glasses providing real-time interpretation in over 100 languages and dialects. Attendees were struck by how mature these technologies are and how quickly they are entering large-scale application.

China possesses the world's largest, most comprehensive manufacturing system. Combined with the ultra-large, diverse domestic market, any proven technology can quickly iterate, adapt to real-world scenarios, and scale production. Turning lab breakthroughs into everyday tools and blending cutting-edge science with practical use has become a hallmark of Chinese innovation.

A woman experiences a pair of AR glasses with translation functions at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference in Beijing, March 25. (Photo: People's Daily)

Another aspect of China's "coolness" is its commitment to openness and global sharing.

Scientific and technological progress is a global endeavor. Openness and cooperation are the only viable paths forward. While some countries erect "small yards, high fences" to monopolize advantages through technological blockades, China has remained committed to collaboration, using open-source initiatives and shared development to bridge divides and achieve win-win outcomes.

Chinese photovoltaic products now reach Pakistan, providing household electricity, supporting agriculture, and empowering small businesses. Applications of the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System in Sri Lanka enable accurate weather monitoring and boost the efficiency of local fishermen. China has also opened 10 major national scientific research facilities to the world, turning self-developed infrastructure into public goods for global benefit.

China's approach demonstrates that the true value of technological innovation is not in letting a few countries monopolize advantages, but in enabling broader access to technology and promoting common global development.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), China's innovation blueprint is becoming clearer. The country will accelerate high-level self-reliance in science and technology, foster new productive forces, intensify original innovation and breakthroughs in core technologies, expand the "AI+" initiative, and build a higher-level framework for international scientific cooperation.

A China that advances original innovation, speeds industrial transformation, and deepens openness will continue to deliver "cool" technologies and broader opportunities for the world.

By fostering an open, fair, and inclusive environment for scientific and technological progress, and translating the dynamism of cutting-edge innovation into well-being for all, China affirms a commitment to a shared path toward common prosperity.