Articles by Zhang Tiankan

The Buddha’s lesson for robots: Who’s real, who’s not?

The recent showcase of the ability and appearance of humanoid robots during China’s Spring Festival Gala has set off a storm of discussion on whether robots that are indiscernible from humans are welcomed or not. Academic Zhang Tiankan notes that while robots can take over menial work, it must never hold a higher status than humans.

Zhang Tiankan

Why China’s Covid expert won’t let AI take the lead

While AI is a powerful tool, China’s Covid expert Zhang Wenhong warns it cannot replace doctors. Academic Zhang Tiankan explains why hands-on experience, intuition and human judgement remain crucial.

Zhang Tiankan

The 25-centimetre gap separating China from a truly civilised society

The recent incident of Taiwanese singer Zheng Zhihua at Shenzhen Airport has brought to light the struggles of disabled people in China. Academic Zhang Tiankan believes that their voices must be heard and more needs to be done to ensure accessibility, only then can China call itself a civilised society.

Zhang Tiankan

Cai Guo-Qiang and the fireworks that disturbed China’s dragon vein

Celebrated Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang sought to ignite a “rising dragon” across Tibet’s sky. Instead, the flames exposed a clash between modern art and the ancient spirit of the land. Academic Zhang Tiankan looks at the relationship between art, nature and myths.

Zhang Tiankan

From Qin Shi Huang to Putin: The dangerous dream of immortality

Throughout history, emperors and dictators have sought immortality. It is no different today as the powerful and wealthy continue to search for ways to live longer, albeit with modern science. Academic Zhang Tiankan says that despite the extreme lengths these people go through, turning back time is just a pipe dream.

Zhang Tiankan

Turning Lu Xun into a smoking icon is a cruel irony

Amid the controversy surrounding a mural of Lu Xun smoking at the Shaoxing Lu Xun Memorial Hall, academic Zhang Tiankan asks: has anyone considered what Lu Xun — the leading figure of modern Chinese literature — would have wanted?

Zhang Tiankan

Coding crops: How AI is sowing change in rural China

Artificial intelligence (AI) farming might sound like a futuristic concept, but it is fast becoming a reality in China. AI usage has spread to rural areas, where young, tech-savvy farmers are using it as a tool to increase agricultural efficiency and productivity. Academic Zhang Tiankan tells us more.

Zhang Tiankan

The unpaid workforce: How housework fuels gender inequality in China

In modern society, care work has developed into a specialised profession known as domestic services. However, the unpaid nature of household labour, which are largely taken up by women, leads people to overlook its existence, its heavy burden and its value, says academic Zhang Tiankan.

Zhang Tiankan

The deadly click: How online pesticide sales endanger rural Chinese women

In this age where everything is available to purchase online, how do we prevent people from getting easy access to lethal substances? Chinese academic Zhang Tiankan looks at the issue of regulations and enforcement in online purchases.

Zhang Tiankan

From ancient kings to modern incentives: China’s struggle to boost births

Faced with a declining population, China has implemented a series of measures to boost its birthrate. Academic Zhang Tiankan evaluates the effectiveness of these policies and discusses the factors that motivate and discourage marriage and childbirth.

Zhang Tiankan

America is not yet ready for a female president

Commentator Zhang Tiankan notes that US presidential candidate Kamala Harris lost the election due to her lack of experience and unconvincing campaign rhetoric. Meanwhile, voters picked President-elect Donald Trump in a rejection of the Democratic Party’s policies and measures.

Zhang Tiankan

China’s Ailao Mountains: Preserving nature in the age of oversharing

With the Ailao Mountains experiencing a surge in visitors driven by social media, Chinese academic Zhang Tiankan argues that preserving the range’s mystery and pristine condition is more beneficial for humanity.

Zhang Tiankan