2024 top 10 China buzzwords reflect cultural shifts, trends – ‘city not city’, ‘smell of work’
They mark beginning of intelligent era, where youth are central to social discourse, the elderly play vital role in societal development
Language serves as a mirror of society. This year’s buzzwords in mainland China undeniably reflect the essence of our times.
They primarily signify the advent of the intelligent era, where the younger generation – especially those born after 2000 – has become the focal point of social attention, while the elderly have emerged as a vital force in driving social development, Huang Anjing, editor of the Yao Wen Jiao Zi linguistics journal, told Xinhua News Agency.
In this annual exercise, the Post explores the top 10 buzzwords and the meanings behind them.
1. Shu zhi hua (The combination of digitalisation and intelligence)
This term describes an industrial trend that integrates digital and intelligent technologies to enhance production efficiency and creativity. The fusion of digitalisation with intelligence involves the implementation of advanced technologies, such as autonomous learning, decision optimisation, and predictive analysis, aimed at boosting both production capabilities and innovation.
2. Zhi neng xiang shan (Intelligence for good)
The phrase encapsulates the idea of leveraging intelligence to promote positive outcomes. It emphasises that the development of artificial intelligence should enhance human well-being, facilitating not only industrial transformation and economic growth but also contributing to societal improvement and sustainable development.
