Tech Won't Save Us The Geopolitical Fight Over Huawei w/ Yangyang Cheng
25 snips
Jul 3, 2025 Yangyang Cheng, a Research Scholar in Law at Yale, dives deep into Huawei's evolution from a local telecom supplier to a global tech leader amidst U.S.-China tensions. The discussion highlights how geopolitical narratives often distract from significant issues like surveillance capitalism. Cheng challenges the criticisms levied against Huawei, pointing out the complexities of national pride and the ethical dimensions of technology. The conversation underscores the need for a nuanced view of tech as both a tool for connection and a vehicle for corporate exploitation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Huawei's Humble Origins
- Huawei started humbly as a private telecom company in China's market transition period.
- Its growth mirrors China's move from a planned economy to global capitalist player.
Innovation Beyond State Control
- Huawei was founded amid fierce domestic competition and encouraged foreign tech transfer.
- Its innovation emerged from bootstrapping and collaboration rather than pure state orchestration.
Understanding Intellectual Property
- Innovation is incremental and relational, not a flash of genius protected by IP.
- Huawei now holds many patents and protects them assertively like western firms.
