China's EV dominance is already global, but the next front is autonomous driving. It's no longer just about the vehicle; it's about the AI-powered stack behind it: maps, sensors, monitoring, and infrastructure. For AI, smart cars aren't just another use case—they're the ultimate proving ground
What we see today with OpenAI and DeepSeek are just the foundational infrastructures and rule-makers of the early investment stage. The current investments are made to secure industry leadership and control in the next phase. For nations, this also involves issues of "sovereignty.
Compared to the wafer fabrication industry, which is highly restricted by equipment limitations, China's IC design sector—based on the opportunities within its domestic market—appears to have a more optimistic outlook. According to DIGITIMES, the output value of China's IC design industry reached US$35.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$73.2 billion by 2030, achieving double-digit annual growth. From autonomous driving chips to electronic design automation (EDA) tools, China aims to cover all aspects of the semiconductor industry and cultivate domestic leaders in each field. Huawei's HiSilicon, Cambricon (AI accelerators), Horizon Robotics (ADAS), and Silergy (often referred to as "China's Texas Instruments") all play key roles in this ecosystem
Over the past fifty years, China has driven its national progress through two key forces: economic growth and nationalism. Its rapid economic expansion has not only reshaped Chinese society but also played a crucial role in global economic development. Between 2009 and 2019, the world's total GDP grew from US$61 trillion to US$88 trillion, with China contributing a third of that US$27 trillion increase. This era was both China's "golden decade" and a time when the international community heavily relied on its economic engine
Media reports suggest that US shipbuilding output is merely 1/200th of China's, allowing China to expand its navy at an astonishing rate. In fact, the total number of Chinese warships has already surpassed that of the US Navy. Now, Trump is advocating for regaining control of the Panama Canal and imposing higher transit fees on Chinese-built ships—an aggressive move that directly targets a critical vulnerability in China's shipbuilding industry. While Trump's approach seeks to revive American manufacturing through drastic measures, the real challenge lies in the prevailing mindset of Americans, who are generally reluctant to enter the manufacturing sector
During China's peak prosperity, Taiwan managed to survive under significant pressure. Now, freed from direct Chinese constraints, Taiwan continues to navigate challenges alongside global powers. Within the G2 dynamic, Taiwan grapples with internal limitations such as energy, talent, and land. Even the goal of maintaining the status quo poses an increasingly daunting challenge, with US policy toward Taiwan—especially under the Trump administration—remaining a critical factor
Between 2019 and 2024, global GDP rose by about US$21 trillion. During this time, companies like AWS, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Tesla saw their market values exceed US$1 trillion. These tech giants have not only focused on their main business areas but have also significantly invested in developing in-house chips
Between the 1960s and 1980s, the semiconductor industry primarily used a vertically integrated model covering all aspects, from equipment to materials. This approach disadvantaged latecomers such as Taiwan and South Korea, which concentrated on process technology rather than developing their own equipment and material capabilities
When Donald Trump took office, he pushed hard on using tariffs as a tool to force manufacturers to move their production to the US. His goal was simple: create more jobs for Americans
US President Donald Trump loves to mention TSMC's US$165 billion investment in the US as a symbol of success. But the real issue isn't whether that investment materializes — it's how US strategic policy is forcing a global reset of the tech supply chain
China's EV industry is now building on the past glories of its automotive sector. The much-criticized issue of "overcapacity" seems to be a perpetual non-concern. Outdated, low-quality EVs are sent to the scrapyard during market transitions. China's system naturally eliminates laggards that fail to keep pace. The Chinese assure the world there is no need to worry unnecessarily, emphasizing that they possess greater resilience and flexibility than other nations to tolerate failures. Even if only three EV manufacturers remain profitable, the Chinese will not falter
At the Foxconn 50th anniversary banquet, Apple CEO Tim Cook conveyed his congratulations via video message. He mentioned that products which would typically take several months to complete were accomplished by Foxconn in just a matter of days. (Founder) Terry Gou has redefined the limits of mass production, compelling major brands that have defined products over the past three to four decades to take notice
Former Premier of Taiwan Chuan Lin (2016-2017) once asked me, "Will the AI wave become a bubble?" I do not see any signs of a bubble. Perhaps you are thinking of the dot-com bubble, but did the internet bubble really burst? In the spring of 2000, internet stocks plummeted, and many startups closed down. However, the internet wave did not vanish; it even found greater opportunities after the launch of the iPhone in 2007. Today's AI wave is merely a new opportunity arising from the diverse connections of big data, cloud services, and more
The Breakthrough Technology Dialogue held in Singapore at the end of February saw participation from technology experts across various countries. However, the discussions were largely influenced by Asian perspectives, with Chinese viewpoints being particularly prominent. Even in private conversations, there was limited opposition to China's stance
