Recapping the first quarter of this year, what kind of new
things have captured the attention of international discourse? For
many, China’s advanced AI model DeepSeek and animated feature “Ne
Zha 2” have occupied unexpected space, Azernews
reports, citing Xinhua.
The technological triumph of DeepSeek, with its stunning
performance record, and the cinematic marvel of a reimagined
mythological figure in “Ne Zha 2,” which has risen to the fifth
spot on the worldwide box office chart, provide a glimpse into how
China’s high-quality growth is unfolding.
Together with international bestseller “Black Myth: Wukong,” a
3A video game with cutting-edge graphics, the trio of innovations
has redefined perceptions of China’s technological prowess, marking
a departure from the old stereotype of “Made in China” products
popular in markets across the globe.
Today, China is producing more and more cutting-edge and
entertainment products that are wowing the world. Bloomberg has
highlighted these achievements, noting China’s evolution into a
country that is more than just a manufacturing powerhouse.
According to the sixth annual Global Soft Power Index released
by Brand Finance in February, China has risen to become the world’s
second-most-influential nation in soft power, trailing behind the
United States alone.
David Haigh, chairman of Brand Finance, said that the 2025
ranking reflects China’s “sustained efforts to enhance its economic
attractiveness, showcase its culture, and bolster its reputation as
a safe and well-governed nation.”
Haigh’s comments have hit the mark. These cultural and
technological achievements are not isolated phenomena, but rather
manifestations of China’s broader strategy to cultivate
innovation-driven growth. The rise of China’s soft power is rooted
in its robust economic foundations, which have been consolidated
after decades of reform and opening up.
In 2024, China’s economy grew by 5 percent, an increase
equivalent to the GDP of a mid-sized country, further solidifying
its position as a market of immense industrial and economic
scale.
Films like “Ne Zha 2” and games like “Black Myth: Wukong” are
part of a broader movement to reinterpret ancient stories through a
contemporary lens, while DeepSeek is renowned for its commitment to
open-source licensing. Amid the headwinds of anti-globalization,
Chinese innovators embrace exchange with greater confidence.
More recent domestic breakthroughs like General AI agent Manus
and new lung cancer drug ivonescimab have prompted a
reconsideration of calls from certain Western politicians for a
decoupling from China.
“Like DeepSeek, Manus is once again sparking questions about the
U.S. lead on artificial intelligence — this time in a product
category that U.S. tech companies see as a key investment area,”
Bloomberg reported.
“China’s DeepSeek shocked the world by delivering unexpected
innovation at an unbelievable price. But this disruptive trend is
not confined to Big Tech: it has been quietly happening in the
pharmaceutical sector,” CNN reported, highlighting the breakthrough
of ivonescimab, noting that the drug “beats the world’s
biggest-selling medicine.”
While China embraces a vision of openness, engagement and mutual
learning, there are certain countries choosing to emphasize
unilateralism and skepticism toward multilateral institutions. The
fact is that China’s contributions to global development — whether
through hard or soft power — are increasingly substantial and
critical.
As long as China remains committed to its path of innovative
development and concentrates on fostering new quality productive
forces, its future — and that of the rest of the world — will
undoubtedly be robust and promising.