Testing ChatGPT 5.4: Usability in China

Many users have been wary of the various claims about ChatGPT’s availability in China. Recently, numerous bloggers claimed that “ChatGPT 5.4 connects directly in China without issues,” but upon investigation, it often requires complex configurations or unstable mirror sites that crash after a couple of minutes, wasting time.

As a seasoned blogger who has tested various AI tools, I firmly believe that real usability can only be determined through testing. Over the past week, I specifically tested different ways to use ChatGPT 5.4, from the web version and client to third-party platforms. I finally found a stable and usable method and uncovered its true capabilities.

First, let me be frank: currently, the official direct connection to ChatGPT 5.4 is indeed challenging, but there are legitimate third-party platforms that allow direct use without issues. The platform I have been using recently, ya.zzmax.cnAI (ya.zzmax.cn), has fully adapted to ChatGPT 5.4’s features, requiring no VPN or complex registration. It has been stable and crash-free for over a week, proving to be much more reliable than obscure mirror sites.

Core Improvements of ChatGPT 5.4

The most noticeable enhancements in ChatGPT 5.4 include its multimodal capabilities and improved context understanding.

In previous versions, uploading images only allowed for basic content recognition, but version 5.4 can accurately analyze image details and even generate related code or text based on the image content. For instance, when I uploaded a wiring diagram for embedded hardware, it quickly identified the models and wiring methods of various components, provided optimization suggestions, and even generated corresponding control code, which is highly practical for engineers.

The context understanding has also significantly improved. In the past, while using ChatGPT to write technical documents, the conversation would often stray off-topic, requiring repeated reminders. However, version 5.4 can remember longer dialogues, maintaining logical coherence even in lengthy documents. I tested it to write an embedded project proposal, covering everything from requirement analysis and architectural design to code planning, completing it in one go with only minor adjustments needed, increasing efficiency by 30% compared to previous versions.

Additionally, the code generation capability has seen marked improvement. Earlier generated code often contained syntax errors requiring extensive modifications. In contrast, the code generated by version 5.4 is highly standardized; basic embedded driver code and Python scripts can be used directly with minimal changes. I tested it by generating code for serial communication with a microcontroller, and it worked flawlessly on the first attempt without any bugs, which was quite impressive.

Drawbacks to Consider

However, there are several drawbacks to be aware of:

1. Severe limits on free usage: Although the free version allows access to core features, the daily limit is quite low. Handling a few complex tasks can quickly exhaust the free quota, necessitating a paid membership for continued use. The cost of the paid membership is not cheap, making it less cost-effective for the average professional.

2. Understanding of Chinese context needs improvement: While everyday communication and technical document writing are generally fine, there are occasional misunderstandings with dialects or colloquial expressions. For example, when I asked it to “generate simpler driver code,” it sometimes produced overly complex versions, requiring further clarification of my needs.

3. Slow response times in some scenarios: Especially during peak times, processing large documents or complex code can lead to noticeably longer response times, with occasional loading failures. However, this issue is mitigated on the ya.zzmax.cnAI platform, which optimizes computing resource allocation, ensuring smooth performance even during peak times.

Practical Usage Advice

For daily office tasks, simple code writing, and content creation, the free version is sufficient, and there’s no need to upgrade to a paid membership. However, for complex research and extensive code generation, a paid membership would be more efficient, but it’s crucial to choose legitimate channels to avoid data leaks from low-cost shared accounts.

Additionally, there’s no need to search for various mirror sites or cracked versions, which are both cumbersome and unsafe. Just visit ya.zzmax.cn to access all features of ChatGPT 5.4 directly, with stability and ease of use, without the need for a VPN or complicated setups, saving time and effort. Many of my colleagues are currently using this platform.

In conclusion, ChatGPT 5.4 is indeed powerful, with significant core feature enhancements, but it also has several drawbacks. It is not unusable in China; finding the right legitimate platform allows for a smooth experience without being misled by various claims.