5G networksCoronavirus helps China pull ahead in the 5G race
The world's No. 2 economy to account for 60% of global 5G handsets in 2020
A 5G-enabled autonomous vehicle equipped with a camera films cherry blossoms inside the closed grounds of Wuhan University for a live-streaming event on March 17. © Reuters
LAULY LI and CHENG TING-FANG, Nikkei staff writers
TAIPEI -- In February, as cities throughout Sichuan Province were locked down to combat the spread of the coronavirus, unmanned drones circled the skies, broadcasting pandemic prevention measures, spraying disinfectant, and even conducting thermal imaging checks on residents.