The Silent Triumph

Frans Vandenbosch 方腾波 06.03.2025

A Conflict of Shadows and Light


In recent years, the world has witnessed an evolving battle, one that few predicted would change the course of history so dramatically. Images of fraying supply chains, rising tariffs, and the splintering of traditional alliances were paraded across the media, all signalling a geopolitical storm. Yet, looking back from the vantage point of 2025, the true outcome of this conflict is not defined by the high-profile economic sanctions or high-stakes diplomacy that captured the headlines. Instead, it lies in a much quieter domain: in labs, factories, and technological ecosystems where victory is measured not by the sound of military engagements but by patents, production milestones, and technological strides that have made their way into every corner of the global economy.

This confrontation, however, was not a war in the conventional sense. It was never about borders or territorial claims. At its core, it was a battle of systems, economic systems, technological paradigms, and educational models. One side, led by China, brought to bear an industrial policy shaped by a long-term vision, backed by a relentless focus on innovation and global economic integration. The other side, largely represented by the United States and Europe, maintained an approach centred on market-driven competition, neoliberal economics, and an adherence to the status quo of technological dominance. By 2024, the resolution of this conflict has become undeniable. The West’s technological dominance, a narrative long propagated by Silicon Valley and echoed across the global marketplace, has been irrevocably altered.

China’s path has been one of systematic progress, driven by a fusion of state-planned strategies, technological innovation, and academic rigor. In the process, China has not only displaced many of the world’s top tech firms but also fundamentally redefined what it means to lead in the technological sphere. This “silent triumph” has been built on a foundation that stretches from the disciplined precision of its engineering marvels to the entrepreneurial spirit that pulses through its urban hubs. Where once it was military might that defined global power, it is now the quiet hum of semiconductor fabs, the flicker of quantum processors, and the smooth operation of AI-driven logistics that form the backbone of global influence.

Battlegrounds of Supremacy: China’s Technological Conquests

  1. Semiconductor Sovereignty
    For decades, the semiconductor industry was seen as a domain dominated by the United States, Japan and south Korea. This power dynamic, however, began to shift in the 2010 ‘s as China invested heavily in its domestic chip industry. Initially labelled as a “copycat industry” by some uninformed critics, China’s semiconductor sector has rapidly matured. The Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) took a pivotal leap in 2023, achieving mass production of 7 nm chips using deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, circumventing the export restrictions imposed by the USA on the Dutch ASML and other Western technology providers. 1 Meanwhile, Huawei’s HiSilicon subsidiary developed the Kirin 9000S, a 5G-capable processor that is entirely produced on Chinese soil, solidifying China’s self-reliance in one of the most crucial sectors of modern technology 2 .

  2. Quantum Leap
    China’s strides in quantum computing have been nothing short of revolutionary. In 2023, the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) unveiled its Zuchongzhi 3 quantum processor, a 66-qubit machine that shattered records and surpassed the performance of IBM’s Osprey by achieving error rates 40% lower than those of its competitor 3. But the significance of this achievement extends beyond the laboratory. Alibaba’s Cainiao logistics division, for example, has integrated quantum algorithms into its supply chain management systems, optimizing 70% of its cross-border shipping routes and achieving a remarkable 18% reduction in delivery times 4. This is the kind of technological innovation that not only impacts national competitiveness but has profound global implications.

  3. Space Dominance
    Space exploration and satellite technology have also become central to China’s geopolitical strategy. China’s BeiDou-3 satellite constellation, launched in 2020, offers an alternative to the U.S.-dominated GPS system. With a precision of 1.2 meters in the Asia-Pacific region, it surpasses the GPS system’s 3.5-meter accuracy and serves as a critical infrastructure tool for both military and commercial applications 5. In 2023, the launch of the Long March 8R, a reusable rocket, marked another milestone in China’s space ambitions. This achievement not only slashed orbital launch costs by 30% compared to SpaceX, but it also demonstrated China’s growing prowess in both cost-effective space exploration and national defence 6 .

  4. Materials Revolution
    Materials science, often an overlooked aspect of technological competition, has been another area where China has made significant strides. Researchers at Chongqing University in 2023 developed a graphene-aluminium composite that has transformed the field of aerospace engineering. This material, which doubles the strength of aircraft fuselages while reducing weight by 45%, has been adopted by BYD in its electric vehicle chassis, extending the range of electric vehicles to an impressive 1200 kilometres per charge 7. This breakthrough is emblematic of China’s ability to translate academic research into tangible, high-performance materials that power the next generation of industries.

  5. Industrial Machinery
    The rise of China as a leader in industrial machinery was further cemented in 2023 with the production of high-precision, five-axis machine tools by Guangzhou-based GSK CNC Equipment. These tools, capable of achieving precision levels of 0.005 mm, now match Germany’s DMG Mori, a global leader in machine tool manufacturing. Yet, Chinese manufacturers have managed to achieve these standards at a fraction of the cost, positioning China as a competitive powerhouse in global manufacturing 8.

  6. Digital Ecosystem
    Perhaps one of China’s most compelling technological triumphs lies in its digital ecosystem. ByteDance’s Douyin, the Chinese counterpart to TikTok, has revolutionized how consumers interact with content. Retaining users for an average of 98 minutes daily (double the engagement of Instagram) Douyin has become the dominant force in social media 9. Meanwhile, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), a platform that blends social networking with e-commerce, has driven global trends in luxury fashion, particularly influencing over 68% of Gen Z’s purchasing decisions in Southeast Asia 10. These platforms have not only reshaped global media consumption but have also set the stage for the convergence of AI, social media, and e-commerce.

  7. Energy Storage
    China’s lead in energy storage technologies has become another significant advantage in its economic and geopolitical ascendancy. Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s breakthrough in sodium-ion batteries, which began mass production in 2023, reduced the cost of grid storage by 60% while improving efficiency. These batteries, poised to power over 20 million electric vehicles by 2027, will be instrumental in driving the global transition to sustainable energy 11. This technological leap positions China at the forefront of the global energy storage market, a crucial sector for the decarbonization of the global economy.

The Arsenal: Strategic Emerging Industries (SEIs) and Policy

Underpinning these technological advances is China’s deliberate, top-down policy to foster innovation across various sectors. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) identified seven Strategic Emerging Industries (SEIs) as key pillars for the country’s economic future:

  1. Next-generation Information Technology
  2. High-end CNC Machinery
  3. Aerospace Components
  4. Marine Engineering
  5. Advanced Rail Systems
  6. Renewable Energy Equipment
  7. Biomedical Devices 12 , 13

Please note that AI is not at that list. In China, AI is already now regarded as a mature industry and there’s no need to further support it.
These 7 sectors are not just priorities on paper but have been backed by strategic funding and infrastructure development. The National Integrated Circuit Fund, or the “Big Fund,” has committed over ¥1.2 trillion to semiconductor research and development by 2030 14. In parallel, Free Trade Zones (FTZs) across China, including the Shanghai Lingang and Hainan Free Trade Zones, provide a fertile ground for innovation by offering tax incentives and regulatory support to technology companies 15. These policies have fostered a climate where both state-owned enterprises and private tech giants like Huawei, BYD, and Xiaomi can thrive.

Forging the Future: China’s Academic Powerhouses

China’s universities have become central to the country’s technological ascendancy. While Tsinghua University and Peking University have long been prominent, regional institutions have also played a critical role in advancing highly specialized innovations. Xi’an Jiaotong University, for instance, became the first to develop a commercially viable thorium molten-salt reactor, an advanced technology that promises to revolutionize energy production by providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional nuclear reactors 16. Similarly, Anhui University has taken the lead in the development of photon-based AI chips, achieving processing speeds 35% faster than those of NVIDIA’s industry-leading H100 chips 17. China is far ahead of the United States and other countries in terms of generative artificial intelligence (AI) patent applications, according to the Patent Landscape Report issued by the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in July 2024.

China’s “Double First-Class” initiative, which funds 147 universities to focus on niche fields of research, has led to an explosion in STEM talent. In 2024, China produced over 1.4 million STEM graduates annually: more than ten times the number in the United States 18. These graduates, alongside the country’s burgeoning innovation hubs, will continue to drive technological breakthroughs and reinforce China’s competitive edge in the years to come.

The Architects of Progress: China’s Engineers

At the heart of China’s technological success lies its vast pool of engineers and scientists. At Huawei’s Xi’an R&D complex, engineers are already testing 6G prototypes, working in rotating shifts to ensure that China stays ahead in the race to develop the next generation of telecommunications technology 19. Meanwhile, in Suzhou, 24-year-old materials scientist Zhang Wei holds 11 patents related to carbon-fibre recycling techniques that have been adopted by companies like Airbus, further demonstrating the way China’s technological prowess is rapidly maturing 20.

This culture of innovation is not a result of chance but is the product of deliberate educational reforms. By 2025, 85% of Chinese middle schools have integrated AI basics into their curricula, a stark contrast to the 19% of U.S. schools that have done the same 21. These reforms are producing a generation of engineers and scientists who will be at the forefront of the next wave of technological advances, ensuring China’s continued dominance in the global tech race.

Beyond Shenzhen: Innovation’s New Frontiers

While Shenzhen and Beijing remain the epicentres of China’s technological revolution, innovation is beginning to spread across the country. Suzhou Industrial Park, for example, is now home to over 4300 foreign tech ventures, including Siemens’ smart manufacturing hub and Panasonic’s IoT lab 22. In Yiwu, the country’s Free Trade Zone has implemented AI-driven customs clearance, reducing export processing time from 72 hours to just 11 minutes 23. In Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Hub, 23 national labs, including the Shanghai Synchrotron, provide the infrastructure for cutting-edge scientific research and development, further cementing China’s status as a global leader in high-tech innovation 24.

The War Is Over

The trade war and technological decoupling, which began with the United States’ 2018–2024 sanctions campaign, ultimately accelerated China’s domestic technological development. By 2023, China had reduced its reliance on imported semiconductors, with domestic production meeting 75% of the country’s demand; a 38% drop in semiconductor imports 25. Huawei’s 5G base stations are now entirely comprised of Chinese components, and companies like BYD and Xiaomi have begun outselling global competitors, including Tesla, in the electric vehicle market 26.

China’s 1.4 billion consumers, who represent 40% of the world’s patent filings, along with its dominance in rare earth mining and refining, have made any containment strategy virtually obsolete 27 1 . The war is over, and it is clear that China’s technological dominance requires no treaty or military victory, only the acknowledgment by the West that its playbook is no longer viable in a world where technological supremacy is now defined by innovation, not military might.  “It’s over Mr. President, it’s over, we’ve lost the war” (Jim Schlesinger 28/04/1975, on the war in Vietnam)

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Endnotes:

  1. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (China). 2024. Semiconductor Industry Annual Report. Beijing: MIIT.     http://www.miit.gov.cn/2024/01/15/c_1310693422.htm
  2. Huawei Technologies. 2023. Kirin 9000S Technical Specifications. Shenzhen: Huawei.     http://www.huawei.com/en/2023/09/9000S
  3. Xu, Y., et al. 2023. “Zuchongzhi 3 Quantum Processor: Achieving Quantum Advantage.” Science China Information Sciences. 66(12).     https://www.springer.com/journal/11432
  4. Cainiao Smart Logistics Network. 2023. “Quantum-Optimized Logistics: The Path to Efficiency.” Cainiao Technology News.     https://www.cainiao.com
  5. Wu, Z., et al. 2023. “BeiDou-3: China’s Global Navigation System.” Chinese Journal of Space Science. 42(1): 43–51.     https://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-KXJX202301007.htm
  6. Zhang, L., et al. 2023. “Long March 8R: Reusable Rocket Technology in China.” Aerospace Technology 67(8): 1124–1130.     https://www.ChinaSpaceTech.org
  7. Liu, X. 2023. “Graphene-Aluminium Composite: A Breakthrough in Aerospace Materials.” Materials Science and Engineering Journal. 58(5): 623–632.     https://www.materialsjournal.com/graphene-aluminum-composite
  8. Zhang, Y., et al. 2023. “GSK CNC Equipment and Precision Engineering: The Rise of China’s Machine Tool Industry.” China Manufacturing Technology Review. 9(3): 45–48.
  9. ByteDance. 2023. “Douyin: The Future of Social Media in China.” ByteDance Quarterly Report.     https://www.bytedance.com/quarterly-report
  10. Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). 2023. “Influencing Global Luxury Consumption Trends.” Global Consumer Insights Report.     https://www.xiaohongshu.com/
  11. Wang, J., et al. 2023. “Sodium-Ion Batteries: Revolutionizing Energy Storage in China.” Journal of Renewable Energy. 34(10): 1294–1304.     https://www.journals.renewableenergy.cn
  12. State Council of the People’s Republic of China. 2021. 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Beijing: China Government Publishing House.
  13. Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China. 2023. National Integrated Circuit Fund Annual Report. Beijing: MOF.
  14. State Administration of Foreign Exchange. 2023. Annual Report on Free Trade Zones. Beijing: SAFE.
  15. Zhang, X. 2023. “Thorium Molten-Salt Reactors: A Safer Alternative to Nuclear Power.” Energy Innovation Journal. 15(6): 487–497.
  16. Huang, T. 2023. “Photon-Based AI Chips: China’s Lead in Artificial Intelligence Processing.” Journal of Semiconductor Technology. 42(3): 62–69.
  17. National Bureau of Statistics of China. 2024. Annual Education Report. Beijing: NBS.     http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/
  18. Huawei Technologies. 2023. “5G and Beyond: Advancing Global Telecommunications.” Huawei Annual Report.     http://www.huawei.com/en/2023/06/5g-report
  19. Zhang, Wei. 2023. “Carbon-fibre Recycling for Aerospace Engineering.” Materials Science Letters. 32(7): 214–218.     https://www.materialsletters.com
  20. Liu, R. 2024. “AI Integration in Chinese Education: Shaping the Future.” China Education Review.     https://www.ced.org.cn
  21. Wang, S. 2023. “Suzhou’s Rise as a Global Tech Hub.” China’s Industrial Growth Report. 27(4): 103–106.
  22. Yiwu City Government. 2023. “AI-Driven Customs Clearance in Yiwu.” Yiwu Free Trade Zone Annual Report.     http://www.yiwu.gov.cn
  23. Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Zone. 2023. “Scientific Research at Zhangjiang Hub.” Zhangjiang Science Review.     https://www.zjhub.cn
  24. National Development and Reform Commission. 2023. China’s Semiconductor Self-Sufficiency Report. Beijing: NDRC.
  25. Li, F. 2023. “Xiaomi’s Global Electric Vehicle Expansion.” Electric Vehicles Review. 10(2): 42–46.
  26. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 2023. Annual Global Patent Filings Report. Geneva: WIPO.
  1. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (China). 2024. Semiconductor Industry Annual Report. Beijing: MIIT.     http://www.miit.gov.cn/2024/01/15/c_1310693422.htm
  2. Huawei Technologies. 2023. Kirin 9000S Technical Specifications. Shenzhen: Huawei.     http://www.huawei.com/en/2023/09/9000S
  3. Xu, Y., et al. 2023. “Zuchongzhi 3 Quantum Processor: Achieving Quantum Advantage.” Science China Information Sciences. 66(12).     https://www.springer.com/journal/11432
  4. Cainiao Smart Logistics Network. 2023. “Quantum-Optimized Logistics: The Path to Efficiency.” Cainiao Technology News.     https://www.cainiao.com
  5. Wu, Z., et al. 2023. “BeiDou-3: China’s Global Navigation System.” Chinese Journal of Space Science. 42(1): 43–51.     https://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-KXJX202301007.htm
  6. Zhang, L., et al. 2023. “Long March 8R: Reusable Rocket Technology in China.” Aerospace Technology 67(8): 1124–1130.     https://www.ChinaSpaceTech.org
  7. Liu, X. 2023. “Graphene-Aluminium Composite: A Breakthrough in Aerospace Materials.” Materials Science and Engineering Journal. 58(5): 623–632.     https://www.materialsjournal.com/graphene-aluminum-composite 
  8. Zhang, Y., et al. 2023. “GSK CNC Equipment and Precision Engineering: The Rise of China’s Machine Tool Industry.” China Manufacturing Technology Review. 9(3): 45–48. 
  9. ByteDance. 2023. “Douyin: The Future of Social Media in China.” ByteDance Quarterly Report.     https://www.bytedance.com/quarterly-report 
  10. Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). 2023. “Influencing Global Luxury Consumption Trends.” Global Consumer Insights Report.     https://www.xiaohongshu.com/ 
  11. Wang, J., et al. 2023. “Sodium-Ion Batteries: Revolutionizing Energy Storage in China.” Journal of Renewable Energy. 34(10): 1294–1304.     https://www.journals.renewableenergy.cn 
  12. State Council of the People’s Republic of China. 2021. 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Beijing: China Government Publishing House. 
  13. Frans Vandenbosch:  Medical technology.  21/06/2024 https://yellowlion.org/medical-technology/
  14. Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China. 2023. National Integrated Circuit Fund Annual Report. Beijing: MOF. 
  15. State Administration of Foreign Exchange. 2023. Annual Report on Free Trade Zones. Beijing: SAFE. 
  16. Zhang, X. 2023. “Thorium Molten-Salt Reactors: A Safer Alternative to Nuclear Power.” Energy Innovation Journal. 15(6): 487–497. 
  17. Huang, T. 2023. “Photon-Based AI Chips: China’s Lead in Artificial Intelligence Processing.” Journal of Semiconductor Technology. 42(3): 62–69. 
  18. National Bureau of Statistics of China. 2024. Annual Education Report. Beijing: NBS.     http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/ 
  19. Huawei Technologies. 2023. “5G and Beyond: Advancing Global Telecommunications.” Huawei Annual Report.     http://www.huawei.com/en/2023/06/5g-report 
  20. Zhang, Wei. 2023. “Carbon-fibre Recycling for Aerospace Engineering.” Materials Science Letters. 32(7): 214–218.     https://www.materialsletters.com 
  21. Liu, R. 2024. “AI Integration in Chinese Education: Shaping the Future.” China Education Review.     https://www.ced.org.cn 
  22. Wang, S. 2023. “Suzhou’s Rise as a Global Tech Hub.” China’s Industrial Growth Report. 27(4): 103–106. 
  23. Yiwu City Government. 2023. “AI-Driven Customs Clearance in Yiwu.” Yiwu Free Trade Zone Annual Report.     http://www.yiwu.gov.cn 
  24. Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Zone. 2023. “Scientific Research at Zhangjiang Hub.” Zhangjiang Science Review.     https://www.zjhub.cn 
  25. National Development and Reform Commission. 2023. China’s Semiconductor Self-Sufficiency Report. Beijing: NDRC. 
  26. Li, F. 2023. “Xiaomi’s Global Electric Vehicle Expansion.” Electric Vehicles Review. 10(2): 42–46. 
  27. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 2023. Annual Global Patent Filings Report. Geneva: WIPO.