BEIJING, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Once having a hard time helping his child with homework yet later managing to write To Live, celebrated Chinese writer Yu Hua recently shared a short video on social media, drawing the attention of many, including Zhang Xue, a former poor repairman who is now leading his motorcycle brand onto the global stage. What resonated between these two rookies-turned big shots? The answer lies in the short video’s theme: “caotai banzi.” 

Caotai banzi originally referred to a type of itinerant amateur performing troupe, traversing from one rickety venue to another. But over time, it has evolved into a slightly sarcastic internet slang describing things or people that lack resources, experience and preparation but still show up when needed. The term can be roughly translated as “a ragtag set-up.” A caotai banzi event is one that is poorly prepared, somewhat chaotic, yet carried out against all odds. 

Meanwhile, someone with caotai banzi character can be called a “scrappy amateur” – they rush into things with no resources or plan, recklessly eager to get moving and damn the costs.

For a long time, caotai banzi was a negative term for many Chinese. But when the recent short video ended with a statement of “caotai is the best team,” viewers surprisingly did not fight back. Instead, many began to see it in a positive light. Zhang is one of them. He commented on the video: “Ragtag set-up or not – who cares? Just get the team together and turn that grassroots stage into a podium.”   

What brought this negative-to-positive change is actually the life stories of Zhang himself and the protagonists featured in the video who have freed the term from its stereotypical definition. In other words, people have discovered the admirable courage behind those scrappy amateurs who rush into things without being fully prepared.

In the video, there is a 16-year-old girl chasing her documentary dream. No experience. No knowledge of film terms. She even forgot to charge her camera before shooting. But despite being such a rookie, she still yearns to try. 

Though he doesn’t appear in the video, Zhang was a rookie too who was born in a poor, remote village. At a young age, he once rode his motorcycle over 100 kilometers to chase down a journalist just to get a few seconds on TV. That move was once his only hope to be noticed by a professional racing team. 

These stories sound absurd, but beneath them lies something truly precious – the resilience to fight for a dream. To some people, they were just “fools” wasting their time, or not qualified enough to even try. But it is this “foolish” spirit that gives them the courage to learn as they go.

In other words, if it weren’t for their various limitations or shambling beginnings, these people may not have gained a deeper faith in their dreams. To some extent, the more amateur someone is – in other words the more they belong to an underestimated ragtag set-up – the more eager they are to act in the game of success. 

Hence, instead of only seeing the awkwardness and messiness behind caotai banzi, it’s better to see that awkwardness as the very drive to strive forward. As the video puts it: “The timing will never be perfect, but you are always qualified [to try].” 

In everyday life, haven’t we, at one time or another, been inspired by clumsy beginners like that – people who just won’t let go of their dreams, no matter how awkward they seem?

So far, the online interaction between Zhang Xue and Yu Hua has become a trending topic on Sina Weibo. On the surface, it’s netizens having fun with the two figures’ public exchange. However, deep down, it is hard to ignore that the fresh interpretation of caotai banzi has already resonated with people. 

For generations, the Chinese people have felt a deep, natural resonance with the story of starting from scratch. From a grand scale, it can be seen from the transformation of the Great Northern Wilderness in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province into a granary of abundance. On a smaller scale, it can be captured in those rags-to-riches stories of countless Chinese families. The courage to face challenges head-on and the will to raise a “tower from flat ground” have always been engraved in the Chinese tradition of grit. 

Although times change, this fighting spirit has never faded. Instead, it has gradually become a cultural norm, influencing younger generations. Just as the 16-year-old girl in video put it: “I can enter the scene clumsily and learn as I go,” she said. “If I mess up, I just get up and try again.” 

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn

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SOURCE Global Times

BERLIN, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global electric mobility brand ENGWE today announced the launch of the O20 Boost, a folding e-bike designed to address a long-standing limitation in the category: the trade-off between portability and performance.

Folding e-bikes have traditionally been defined by a clear compromise model. They prioritize compactness at the cost of ride comfort, range, and power. Performance oriented e-bikes solve these limitations but sacrifice portability. The O20 Boost is positioned to close this gap by introducing a full-performance riding system within a folding format.

Positioned as a Full Performance Folding E Bike without compromise, the O20 Boost extends ENGWE’s urban mobility lineup by improving comfort, suspension capability, and drivetrain performance in a category historically defined by functional limitations rather than performance capability.

Within the folding e-bike category, most existing models prioritize urban efficiency, lightweight design, and practicality. The O20 Boost takes a performance-led approach within the same form factor, delivering higher power output, increased comfort, and extended real-world range at less than half the price of premium folding systems.

The O20 Boost is priced from €1,099, down from €1,299, with a limited-time introductory offer available from June 22 to July 6 including bundled accessories.

Key Features

50mm front suspension and 2.215 inch puncture-resistant tires for improved ride comfortAirTag-compatible anti-theft storage system for tracking and protectionUp to 140km range, powered by a 720Wh LG battery with BMS75Nm high-torque drive system for urban and mixed-terrain riding4A fast charging system with full charge in around 3.5 hoursTorque sensor pedal assist system for smoother power deliveryReinforced frame structure optimized for daily use and folding practicality

“The O20 Boost reflects a structural shift in what riders now expect from folding e-bikes,” said an ENGWE spokesperson.

“With the O20 Boost, we are removing the idea that folding design must come at the cost of performance.”

About ENGWE

ENGWE is a global electric mobility brand founded in 2014, specializing in e-bikes and e-scooters for urban and recreational use. The company serves over 5 million riders across more than 40 countries and regions. With in-house R&D and integrated manufacturing capabilities, ENGWE manages the full process from development to global distribution, delivering practical mobility solutions for everyday commuting.

For more information, visit ENGWE Official Website.

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Artistically crafted at just 6.39mm thin, the TECNO CAMON Slim is an ultra-slim FlashSnap phone with the most diverse AI Mood Light scenarios worldwide

HONG KONG, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, an innovative AI-driven technology brand, today unveiled the TECNO CAMON Slim. With an artfully crafted, 6.39mm ultra-thin 3D-curved unibody design, it is a handheld work of art. Featuring TECNO’s most diverse AI mood lighting system yet, a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 Ultra Night Camera and numerous practical AI functions, it is as stylish as it is functional.

Ultra-Slim, Curved Unibody Design: An Expression of Aesthetics and Individuality

The TECNO CAMON Slim is an expression of aesthetics and individuality. Its 6.39mm unibody curved design creates seamless lines, offering a pleasing visual experience and a comfortable tactile sensation. The device adopts a symmetrical design, with the contours of the runway-shaped camera module perfectly echoing the rounded corner curvature of the entire device.

The TECNO CAMON Slim also introduces an upgraded mood lighting system with 354 mini LED lights and 55 lighting scenes on the back. From incoming calls and messages to the start of a game or charging status, each event triggers an exclusive light pattern. Users can also customize animations, such as a blinking eye or a smiling face.

The device is offered in multiple styles, each utilizing manufacturing innovations to provide a premium feel and a unique aesthetic narrative.

“New Mondrian” pays tribute to the iconic Mondrian pattern using a sophisticated photochromic process. When exposed to ultraviolet light, original yellow, green, and cyan blocks gradually emerge from a white base, forming the classic Mondrian grid pattern where light and shadow shift dynamically.

“Prism Black” and “Jungle Green” feature a 3D crystal diamond pattern that uses reflective optics to create a naked-eye 3D effect. As the user moves the phone, the visual effects shift accordingly, giving the appearance of shimmering diamonds.

“Van Gogh Blue” revisits the masterpiece “The Starry Night” on the phone’s back panel. Through specialized techniques, the swirling nebula appears to rotate with changes in light and shadow. Meanwhile, “Burgundy Red” combines glass fiber with a matte texture to achieve a sophisticated balance between red and brown tones and a soothing tactile feel.

50MP Sony Camera with AI Stabilization: Capturing Everyday Moments Effortlessly

The TECNO CAMON Slim features a 50MP Sony LYTIA™ 600 main camera with a large 1/2-inch sensor. This sensor provides superior light-gathering capabilities, ensuring images remain clear and detailed even in low-light or complex environments. At night, TECNO’s night scene imaging algorithm works with the hardware to deliver cleaner images, clearer subjects, and effective highlight management while restoring rich color detail.

Leveraging TECNO’s leading AI imaging technologies, the TECNO CAMON Slim intelligently detects motion, estimates optimal shooting angles, and strategically controls the shutter. Users can capture stable, high-quality videos and images without worrying about blur caused by hand tremors or subject movement.

The device also features a 32MP front camera with a 92.4-degree wide-angle lens, improving selfie clarity and accommodating more people in group shots.

Imaging on CAMON Slim is powered by TECNO Universal Tone, the most advanced AI-powered full-spectrum skin tone imaging technology that integrates TECNO’s industry benchmark multi-skin tone color card and the industry’s largest and most accurate skin tone database.

Practical AI: Tools for Work, Wellness, and Daily Life

In addition to popular tools like AI LightMaster 2.0 and One-Tap FlashMemo, CAMON Slim users have access to new functions for image creation, productivity, sports, and health.

AI Snap Poster, an industry-first tool, helps small merchants create professional product posters instantly. Users can photograph an item, and the AI will automatically remove the background and place the product into a selected theme, such as a home interior or beach setting. AI Pet Together generates a single composite portrait from separate photos of a user and their pets. Additionally, the AI Image-to-Video Generator includes new football-themed templates, and the AI Art Gallery adds styles inspired by Tinga Tinga, Frida Kahlo, and Babylonian art. These functions are easily available on the zero screen.

For education and professional use, AI Recording Notes in the recorder app transcribes recorded lectures into structured notes and syncs whiteboard photos to the corresponding moments in the audio. AI Class Schedule can be activated in the zero screen, allows users to import course schedules from paper via screenshot, color-code courses, and display them in a dedicated widget. AI Writing can be activated wherever you type. Enhanced for easier access and greater versatility, it allows users to generate text—from social media posts to formal reports—that accurately reflects their intended meaning.

For lifestyle needs, AI Healthy Eating analyzes food photos to estimate calories and nutrients, providing personalized meal recommendations. AI Football offers live match predictions, goal alerts, and a virtual photo feature with professional players. These functions are also on the zero screen.

Capable and Durable: 144Hz AMOLED Screen and IP 69/68 Water and Dust Resistance

The TECNO CAMON Slim is as durable and capable as it is stylish. It is the slimmest smartphone with a 6,000mAh battery (Battery capacity varies by markets). With a 5-year battery life, it maintains at least 80% battery health after 2,000 charges.

The device also features a 1.5K 144Hz ultra-bright AMOLED screen that ensures vivid colors, an immersive audio-visual experience, and eye comfort even during extended use. Rated IP69 and IP68 for water and dust resistance, the phone allows for underwater photography and worry-free use in rain or wind.

Availability

The TECNO CAMON Slim is rolling out across various markets with pricing and availability to be announced locally. Eligible consumers in select markets can also receive a 3-month trial of Google AI Plus (2 TB) at no extra charge with their purchase*.

* For more information on eligibility of the Google AI Plus trial, please check the terms and conditions.

About TECNO

As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies and AI. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, smart gaming, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the newest technologies and AI-powered new experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.

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SOURCE TECNO