Innovation Made in China Will Change the World – Or, Will It?

China's patent applications have surpassed every other country for over a decade and the speed with which technology out of China impresses the world has picked up in the last few years. Its factories churn out cutting-edge electric vehicles packed with futuristic features – so advanced that European carmakers are now partnering with Chinese firms to gain access to their technology. A complete reversal of the old playbook. In renewable energy and green tech, China has leapfrogged to become the world leader in both production and innovation.

Then came the DeepSeek moment: an AI breakthrough from a little-known Chinese company, proving that China can build models on par with America's best – at a fraction of the cost. And all this despite restrictions on high-tech imports from the West. 

Time and again, China’s innovations catch businesses, governments, and analysts in Europe and the U.S. off guard. With massive investments in quantum computing, biotech, and nuclear technology, what's next?

On April 7, we hosted an Oxford Debate LIVE on the motion: Innovation Made in China Will Change the World. Hear clear-cut arguments in support and against from:

• James Kynge, a writer on Chinese technology, the economy and geopolitics, who spent 28 years reporting on China for the Financial Times.
• John Lee, 2025 TOY Senior Fellow at Asia Society Switzerland and Director of East West Futures, a consultancy specializing in China's high-tech industries, political economy, military capabilities, and international diplomacy.
• Antonia Hmaidi, Senior Analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin, working on the geopolitics of technology, China's pursuit of tech self-reliance, China's cybersecurity and hacking campaigns.
• Yuka Kobayashi, a British Academy Global Innovation Fellow in DGAP's Center for Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, and Technology. She is on leave from SOAS, University of London where she is senior lecturer of China and international politics.

The full debate, including a conversation in which the debaters delve deeper into their arguments, is available to watch on Asia Society's YouTube channel here.

Stay up-to-date on all events and activities at Asia Society Switzerland: subscribe to the newsletter and support our work by becoming a member.

-
STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland. 
Season 8, episode 10 - Published: April 8, 2025
Host: Remko Tanis, Asia Society Switzerland
Editor: Remko Tanis, Managing Editor, Asia Society Switzerland