This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler Is China unstoppable? – How Beijing is fighting to own the future
Aug 28, 2025
Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover History Lab and author of "Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future," joins to unravel China's technological ambition. Topics include China as an 'engineering state' outpacing the U.S. in infrastructure, the complex Taiwan tension shaped by economic ties, and the race for dominance in AI and semiconductors. Wang also tackles China's energy strategy, questioning its environmental commitments while pursuing independence. It's a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of China's global strategy.
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Engineering State Drives Massive Building
- China functions as an "engineering state" with leaders trained to build infrastructure and megaprojects at scale.
- This technical culture prioritizes large-scale construction and rapid material outcomes over procedural checks.
Manufacturing Speed Is A Strategic Edge
- China's production capacity and speed remain decisive strengths in global manufacturing and scaling.
- Made-in-China has shifted from cheap low-quality to world-class electric vehicles and drones in many sectors.
Science Gap But Fast Catch-Up Possible
- China still lags in frontier science and technologies like advanced semiconductors and jet engines.
- However, heavy state investment in universities and research could produce major breakthroughs over coming decades.
