Thousands of drones fill skies above China to create giant running man
High-tech demonstration part of growing trend to find alternatives to fireworks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Shanghai shunned traditional firework displays to celebrate the New Year, instead filling the skies with thousands of synchronised drones.
Nearly 2,000 drones flew above China's largest city, creating giant spheres, text, and even a figure of a man that appeared to run across the skyline.
The traditional midnight countdown was also performed by the drone swarm above the Huangpu River in the east of the city.
State-run media outlet CCTV said the running man configuration illustrated "the huge changes and glorious achievements Shanghai has made in the past 40 years of reform and opening up".
It was achieved through vast programming efforts to coordinate the drones, rather than by individual drone pilots.
The display is part of a growing trend to find alternatives to fireworks, which create noise and smoke pollution and can be a fire hazard.
Several Australian cities were forced to cancel firework displays amid the ongoing wildfire crisis that has so far killed half a billion plants and animals in the country.
Sydney's decision to celebrate the New Year with fireworks proved controversial, after more than 250,000 people signed a petition to cancel the famous display.
Shanghai's high-tech drone demonstration also comes amid concerns about China's development of advanced police drones for use in cities.
In November, a Chinese technology firm tested an attack drone designed to carry out street-level surveillance and take out targets.
Developer Tianjin Zhongwei Aerospace Data System Technology said in a report the drones are suitable for "asymmetric combat, counterterrorism and special forces [operations] and street battles".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments