Imagine a world where the technology you use every day – from your phone to your car – is dictated by a single global superpower. That future is closer than you think, and the escalating 'tech war' between the US and China is the battleground. International Editor Lindsey Hilsum reports from Shenzhen on how this struggle for technological dominance will reshape our lives, regardless of where we live.
It wasn't your typical heavyweight championship, but the robot boxing match at the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Fair was surprisingly captivating. Even for someone like me, who isn't exactly a tech enthusiast, the spectacle of these metallic gladiators was impressive.
There they were: one robot sporting apricot-colored gloves and a helmet facing off against its peppermint-green adversary. The crowd, eager to witness the latest in homegrown Chinese technology, watched with anticipation as they began to spar. Biff! Apricot went down, only to rise again with movements that were eerily human. Bam! Peppermint Green found himself on the ropes, but like a seasoned boxer, he staggered back into the fray, a move reminiscent of Muhammad Ali or George Foreman.
"Wow, wow!" exclaimed a woman in the audience, who identified herself as working in 3D printing. "This can change the world! If old people cannot work, this robot can help them," she added, highlighting the potential for these machines to address China's aging population and labor shortages. Indeed, China is actively developing humanoid robots to assist with tasks like food preparation and cleaning. Moreover, 'dark factories,' entirely operated by robots around the clock, are becoming increasingly common, boosting manufacturing efficiency. This automation, however, raises concerns about its impact on the country's growing youth unemployment. But here's where it gets controversial... is increased efficiency worth the potential social costs?
Beyond robotics, technology is transforming China in other significant ways. Air pollution, a major issue in the past, has noticeably decreased since my last visit to Shenzhen in 2013. This improvement is largely attributed to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), which now account for over three-quarters of new cars on the road. We observed drivers effortlessly swapping batteries at charging stations, a process that takes a mere three minutes. With a full charge, our driver explained, his BYD car could travel over 500 kilometers (311 miles). The local government's investment in charging infrastructure has made battery swapping convenient and accessible throughout the province, and the program is expanding nationwide.
Another notable innovation is the emergence of driverless robo-taxis. I must admit, I felt a twinge of nervousness stepping into one for the first time. There was even a slightly alarming moment when the car braked abruptly to avoid a collision. But after that initial hiccup, the ride was surprisingly smooth, and I quickly grew accustomed to the self-driving vehicle, which even communicated with me in Chinese. And this is the part most people miss... the seamless integration of these technologies into everyday life.
Driverless cabs are already operating in several US cities, and both American and Chinese companies are vying to be the first to introduce them to London, possibly as early as next year. The implications of this technology are vast, potentially revolutionizing transportation and urban planning.
The Chinese government granted us visas, in part, to showcase their technological prowess and demonstrate their ability to compete with the US as a global leader in robotics and EVs. When President Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, Beijing retaliated by restricting the export of rare earths, essential minerals for batteries and other high-tech manufacturing, to the US. Back in 2009, I reported from Inner Mongolia on China's growing control over the global supply and processing of rare earths. Their monopoly has only strengthened since then.
However, the US maintains an advantage in areas like artificial intelligence and advanced computer chips. President Biden's decision to ban China from accessing Nvidia's most sophisticated chips, which have military applications, has further intensified the tech rivalry. At Huaqianbei, the world's largest electronics market, I learned that these chips are still obtainable, albeit through smuggling routes via Japan and Hong Kong. This ban, however, has inadvertently spurred China to accelerate its own chip development efforts. But here's where it gets controversial... is the ban actually helping China in the long run by forcing innovation?
Despite these efforts, experts believe it will take China at least five years to catch up with Nvidia and Taiwan's TSMC in advanced chip manufacturing. As US companies continue to push the boundaries of semiconductor technology, China may remain focused on producing "good enough" chips rather than the most cutting-edge ones. Watching the Apricot vs. Peppermint-Green robot boxing match, it became clear to me that the outcome of this technological battle between the US and China will have a profound impact on all of us. It's less about a clash of political ideologies – communism versus capitalism, autocracy versus democracy – and more about which superpower will dominate the technologies that Europe and the rest of the world rely on in their daily lives.
The fight for the future is underway, and I was fortunate enough to witness an early round. What side are you on? Or do you think this competition will ultimately benefit everyone by driving innovation and lowering costs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
