Foreign Influencers Take Tour of Beijing to Tap Frontier Technological Innovation

"So many advanced technologies, striking developments and cool products…everything we saw today was breathtaking," said Cyntia Midori Yamauchi, a video blogger from Brazil, marveled by her trip on June 9. The 2021 Silk Road Rediscovery Tour: A Centurial Journey of Progress took a group of influencers on a day-long tour focusing on technological innovation in Beijing. They visited the Asia No. 1 Beijing Logistic Park of JD.com, ZPark, Baidu's brand exhibition hall, Lenovo Future Center, and Leyard Group.

Greek freelance photographer George shoots a video during his visit to the Asia No. 1 Beijing Logistic Park of JD.com. [Photo by Yan Weihan]

Walking into the hub, the foreign influencers were greeted with the sight of automatic sorters and other intelligent devices performing their respective duties while parcels flowing by on conveyor belts in a perfect symphony of efficiency. Gerhardt Joseph Van Der Merwe, a video blogger from South Africa, said this way of delivering parcels was remarkably efficient, and that it reminded him of Beijing's well-connected subway system. "JD.com is a visionary company. To give people the best experience possible, they make the most of new technologies such as 5G in their services," he said. Video blogger Celia Judith del Rosario Esquivel Salguero from Guatemala now lives in Wuhan. She came to realize the importance of unmanned delivery with her first-hand experience living there during the COVID-19 outbreak. She believes that the application of automated and intelligent logistics equipment is critical, and that, as seen from the hub, JD.com is doing a commendable job in this regard.

As the innovation heartland of Beijing and China at large, Zhongguancun has become a term emblematic of innovation in Beijing.

Cyntia Midori Yamauchi, a video blogger from Brazil, shoots a video at the innovation and entrepreneurship competition exhibition and exchanges center of ZPark. [Photo by Li Yue]

At the innovation and entrepreneurship competition exhibition and exchanges center of ZPark, the foreign influencers had the opportunity to have a close look at many breakthrough products. Cyntia Midori Yamauchi, a video blogger from Brazil, showed great interest in a medical device called the "Artificial Intelligence ECG Doctor". After giving it a try, she commented that the device, while seemingly unimpressive at first glance, can offer practical health monitoring services to people anytime and anywhere, and is actually quite easy and fun to use. The various video shooting products developed by Insta360 were instant hits that took center stage. After trying some of them out, George, a freelance photographer from Greece, stated he would definitely make a purchase when available. He added that such an abundance of innovative products gave him a window into the creativity of Beijing and of China as a whole.

Foreign influencers take a group photo after visiting Baidu's brand exhibition hall. [Photo by Yan Weihan]

At Baidu, they immediately flocked to the Apollo autonomous driving exhibition room, where they learned about Baidu's autonomous driving technology. Cyntia said that self-driving captured her interest the most, as it was the technology of the future. "Autonomous driving makes our life more convenient and safe. Its wide application in the future will free us from traffic congestion, and car accidents will not occur any longer. I can't wait to see."

Foreign influencers play VR games at Leyard. [Photo by Yan Weihan]

The visit to Lenovo Future Center and Leyard were the highlights of the day. The diverse and entertaining interactive experiences brought a pleasant surprise for the participating influencers, who were not shy about making their pleasure known. Apinya Charunpumhiran, a social media blogger from Thailand, said the use of smart technology in life would always be the most thrilling.

Influencers at the Lenovo Future Center. [Photo by Yan Weihan]

Brenna Burrows, a photographer and video blogger from the U.S., experiences VR technology at Lenovo Future Center. [Photo by Yan Weihan]

When asked about her feelings of the technology tour, Cyntia admitted, "I can't say which single part impressed me most, because the whole day was full of surprises." George, a freelance photographer from Greece, said: "Although I currently live in Beijing, today's tour showed me a side of the city that I have never seen before. For me, the 2021 Silk Road Rediscovery Tour of Beijing: A Centurial Journey of Progress was an educational experience."