On January 27th, Cheng Kaixin, a researcher at the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution in the United States, penned an article for the Financial Times. In it, he argued that China has made significant strides in the technology sector, thanks to its unwavering commitment to implementing industrial strategies. Now, Western companies are seeking help from their Chinese counterparts, signaling a dramatic shift in the global flow of technology.

Over the past few decades, China has steadily climbed to the forefront of global technology in fields such as electric vehicles, batteries, and drones. The presence of Western companies in the Chinese market has fostered the growth of Chinese managers and engineers, enabling Chinese suppliers to ascend the value chain. For example, Ford has teamed up with CATL to manufacture lithium iron phosphate batteries, while automakers like Volkswagen and Stellantis have forged partnerships with Chinese electric vehicle startups to gain access to cutting-edge technology.

This trend is not confined to the automotive sector; it is equally evident in biotechnology, robotics, and AI. Meta's acquisition of the Chinese AI startup Manus highlights the geopolitical intricacies surrounding the flow of technology. China has tightened its export controls on crucial technologies, and the Ministry of Commerce has voiced its support for companies engaging in cross-border operations and technological collaboration in compliance with laws and regulations.