Caixin

China has launched a new cross-border freight rail service connecting western China with Turkmenistan as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to strengthen economic ties with Central Asia. Freight routes to Europe avoiding Russia and the Middle East have seen an 80% increase this year, driven by companies seeking to bypass geopolitical risks, including disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz closure and the Iran crisis.

The AI buildout is increasing energy demand globally, with data centers in the US outpacing power grid capacity, while developers create self-sustaining power systems. In China, AI's electricity usage is projected to reach 5.3% of total consumption by 2030, prompting a policy to locate data centers in western regions using 80% green energy.

China's gig economy, which employs over 200 million people, faces growing concerns as AI threatens job stability. Cooling growth in the sector has led to declines in ride-hailing drivers, truck drivers, and livestreamers, with experts warning of high youth unemployment amid slowing economic growth.