What has most shocked Chinese netizens recently on Xiaohongshu regarding the 'China–U.S. comparison'?

I. State Grid Corporation of China: China’s dominance in ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power transmission technology is truly 'world No. 1'! China is the only country globally that both masters UHV technology and operates it commercially. China’s technical standards are, in fact, the sole global standard for UHV. UHV has made large-scale electricity transmission from western to eastern China a reality—concretely transforming our daily lives. For instance: in the blink of an eye, it can deliver electricity from Xinjiang to Anhui—over 3,300 km away—as many as 30 times! II. U.S. Power Grid: As early as the 1960s, the United States began researching 1,000-kV UHV transmission technology and even drafted engineering plans. However, the 1970s oil crisis—coupled with slowing economic growth and deindustrialization—caused the project to be quietly shelved. Europe, Japan, and the former Soviet Union all conducted UHV research, yet none brought it to fruition. During Japan’s economic boom, it once envisioned building nuclear power clusters and transmitting electricity nationwide via UHV. In the 1990s, Japan even completed two UHV lines—one stretching from Fukushima to Tokyo. But after its economic bubble burst, large-scale nuclear plants were scrapped, and both lines were downgraded to extra-high-voltage (EHV). Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan’s UHV ambitions collapsed entirely. The former Soviet Union did commission a 900-km UHV line in 1985—but it operated intermittently for only five years before being decommissioned after the USSR dissolved in 1991. III. Social Responsibility: In one sentence: 'The power industry serves the people!' On social responsibility and public service, State Grid Corporation of China stands alone globally—unmatched in its commitment. Take the recent Los Angeles wildfires as an example: Edison International’s negligence sparked widespread public outrage. Southern California Edison (SCE), founded in 1909, is the primary subsidiary of Edison International and one of the largest utilities in Western U.S., delivering electricity to roughly 15 million people across Southern California. While the Los Angeles wildfires still raged, SCE faced lawsuits from local residents on January 13—accused of igniting the fires. Plaintiffs alleged SCE ignored National Weather Service warnings and failed to cut power in time. Eyewitnesses reported that a transformer tower base owned by SCE caught fire first; within less than ten minutes, the entire hillside was engulfed. SCE denied any link between its equipment and the blaze—and recently posted condolences on social media to residents affected by 'extreme weather events,' alongside notices about preventive blackouts. These posts triggered a wave of public backlash. In past U.S. wildfire cases, utilities have been held liable and forced to pay massive settlements. Such a scenario simply does not exist in China. I. State Grid Corporation of China: As discussed earlier, as a central state-owned enterprise, State Grid consistently shoulders broader social responsibilities. It never suspends or reduces power supply for economic reasons. Annually, it undertakes extensive poverty-alleviation initiatives, infrastructure development, and employment-target fulfillment—effectively safeguarding the interests of vulnerable groups. II. U.S. Power Grid: Most U.S. grid operators are privately owned enterprises, typically enhancing service quality and technological advancement through innovation and market mechanisms. Yet private ownership may prioritize profit maximization—often at the expense of public service quality, especially in economically underdeveloped or unprofitable regions.

The most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history! Already claiming seven lives and forcing over 180,000 evacuations! What should international students do when encountering natural disasters overseas?

Just days into 2025, a catastrophic, apocalyptic wildfire began raging across the United States. According to media reports, an intense Santa Ana windstorm recently swept across Southern California—described by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) as 'the most destructive storm in over a decade.' Beyond bringing severe gales to Los Angeles and surrounding areas, this storm also ignited deadly wildfires. On January 7, 2025, local time, a wildfire broke out near Los Angeles in Southern California, prompting the state to declare a state of emergency. Fueled by powerful winds—with gusts exceeding 110 km/h—the fire spread rapidly. To date, it has claimed at least seven lives, destroyed at least 1,100 homes, and forced emergency evacuation of at least 180,000 residents across the greater Los Angeles area! Reportedly, the 'Palisades Fire' has become the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history. Meanwhile, the 'Eaton Fire' burned approximately 405 hectares, and the northern 'Hurst Fire' spread across roughly 202 hectares within just four hours. U.S. media further report that firefighters have issued urgent evacuation orders for nearby Malibu and Calabasas—home to numerous Hollywood celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Chris Pratt ('Star-Lord'), Reese Witherspoon ('Legally Blonde'), Miles Teller ('Fantastic Four'), and the Kardashian family. Authorities confirmed their homes have been destroyed. Photo source: CBS News, Los Angeles Times The fires caused severe traffic congestion on community access roads, forcing many residents to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot—some even dragging suitcases. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency and deployed over 1,400 firefighters and emergency personnel to combat the blazes. The NWS Bay Area office announced that high-wind warnings have now expanded to include the North Bay inland valleys and coastal areas, San Francisco Bay Area, and East Bay inland valleys. The agency stated: 'North to northeast winds are expected at 20–30 mph, with gusts reaching 40–50 mph.' Hot winds up to 60 mph are forecast to persist through the weekend—further accelerating fire spread across Los Angeles. Meteorologists warned residents to secure outdoor objects and remain alert for falling trees and possible power outages. Photo source: USA Today Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, Southern California Edison (SCE) shut off power in certain areas—impacting approximately 10,000 residents, with outages expected to last at least eight hours. Additionally, drought conditions have intensified the fire threat. Since last autumn and winter, Southern California has grown increasingly arid. By late December, drought severity in Los Angeles and other areas had reached 'moderate' levels—further elevating wildfire risk. Overall, climate change—combined with drought and extreme winds—has made wildfire prevention and control in this region significantly more challenging. Photo source: USA Today, The New York Times

Southern California Edison warns of potential wildfire-related power shutoffs

17 hours ago

Southern California Edison may cut power to up to 245,700 customers across five counties to mitigate wildfire risks caused by strong winds and dry conditions. This represents the largest potential public safety outage planned for the year.

reuters

2026-10-14

Southern California Edison warns of potential wildfire-related power shutoffs

Southern California Edison warns of potential wildfire-related power shutoffs

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