China's first self-developed civil airship, the AS700 Xiangyun, successfully completes its first demonstration flight in a low-altitude tourism application scenario in Jingmen, Central China's Hubei Province, on August 1, 2024. The flight marks a new stage in the industrial application of this technological innovation project. Photo: VCG

Chinese e-commerce platforms are displaying a wide range of home-grown advanced technologies and big-ticket industrial products including civilian airships, proton therapy system and more, as the annual Double 11 (November 11) shopping festival approaches. 

Chinese experts regard this as a step toward broader adoption and commercialization of frontier technology products.

China's first self-developed civilian airship, the AS700 Xiangyun, and the CGN Proton Therapy System, are available for pre-order on taobao.com, China's leading e-commerce platform under Alibaba Group. Both are listed in the online store operated by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), allowing customers to place deposits for future purchases.

The AS700 Xiangyun airship, developed by the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), is priced at 24.99 million yuan ($3.51 million), and the price will be reduced by 2 million yuan during the Double 11 shopping festival, a representative of the institute told the Global Times on Sunday. 

The AS700 Xiangyun airship requires a deposit of 50,000 yuan, while the CGN Proton Therapy System has a deposit set at 100,000 yuan.

As of press time, two customers had placed deposits to purchase the AS700 Xiangyun airship at taobao.com, with one purchase already completed. 

Since the AS700 Xiangyun airship became available on Taobao, several regional cultural and tourism organizations have reached out with purchase inquiries, the representative said.

The SASAC store on taobao.com showcases 23 products, primarily for display only. Among them are 21 large-scale, home-grown devices showcasing advanced technologies, including China's self-developed Yongning tunnel boring machine and the G50 gas turbine — the nation's first F-class 50-megawatt heavy-duty gas turbine with independent intellectual property rights.

These types of equipment encompass fields such as energy storage, digital technology, marine engineering and the low-altitude economy.

The latest batch of equipment showcased or available for purchase on SASAC's Taobao store, referred to as "the pillars of a great power" by the public, represents this year's breakthroughs in China's scientific and technological innovation. 

Displaying advanced technological products on e-commerce platforms is a promising initiative, potentially paving the way for large-scale commercialization as market demand continues to grow, Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday. He noted such online exhibitions create greater opportunities for downstream buyers to connect with these items.

The store's showcase-only products come with detailed descriptions, covering technical specifications and highlighting their leadership in the world. Many of these items bear distinctions such as"world's first" and "China's first," underscoring their pioneering role across various sectors.

The sale and display of these products have sparked widespread online discussion, with many voicing a deeper understanding of China's advancements in high-end technology.

"Technology will fundamentally empower human society," Zhang said. "Utilizing online e-commerce platforms to showcase the latest innovations accelerates the integration of technology into our daily life, unlocking greater value for the society as a whole."

For the general public, Zhang noted that the exhibition model combines education, scientific outreach and promotion, making once-distant frontier technologies more visible to the public than ever.

"These high-tech devices, with specific application ranges and relatively high prices, stand to benefit from online display, promotion and sales, which will open new sales channels for premium products. This strategy enhances customer attraction and visibility while helping to optimize resource utilization," Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Sunday.