The Intelligence from The Economist Made (entirely) in China: a tech behemoth rises
Jan 2, 2020
Hal Hodson, Asia technology correspondent for The Economist, discusses China’s rise as a tech powerhouse, moving beyond mere assembly to design and innovation. He addresses challenges such as semiconductor development and the implications for global tech competition. Meanwhile, Zan Smiley shares his travels to remote indigenous communities in Russia and Alaska, highlighting their struggles for rights and resilience amid cultural shifts. The conversation also touches on education crises, particularly for North Korean students seeking alternatives in a failing system.
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China's Tech Ambitions
- China is shifting from mass-production to tech innovation.
- This shift creates new tension with the US.
China's Value Chain Ascent
- China aims to control design and export of technology, increasing its global power.
- They are catching up in areas like electric cars but lag in chip manufacturing.
China's EV Focus
- China struggled for decades to build a combustion engine.
- Now they are investing heavily in electric vehicles, aiming to dominate production.