Economist Podcasts The great wheel: China’s Robotaxi revolution
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Dec 2, 2025 
Join Rachna Shambhog, Business Affairs Editor at The Economist, as she dives into China's cutting-edge advancements in robotaxis and pharmaceuticals, discussing how low-cost production and agile regulations are reshaping the future of innovation. Also featured is Joel Budd, Social Affairs Editor, who reveals that Spain ranks as the most similar country to Britain, highlighting policy insights Britain could borrow, like more relaxed immigration. Plus, explore the comforting rise of capybaras as cultural icons in today's world.
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China's Robotaxi Lead Is Structural
- China leads robotaxi deployment with over 50 city pilots and far lower vehicle costs than the US.
- Regulators and local governments in China created permissive testbeds and digital infrastructure that sped adoption.
China Has Become A Major Drug Innovator
- China shifted from generics maker to major innovator, now second in new-drug development and running many clinical trials.
- A third of the world's clinical trials now run in China, accelerating drug discovery and approvals.
Scale, Supply Chains And Competition Fuel Innovation
- China's advantages combine talent, massive manufacturing scale and low-cost supply chains that lower unit costs for complex tech.
- Competitive domestic pressure and harsh economics hone firms into champions poised to expand abroad.