America Against China Against America
12 days ago
- #Global-Competition
- #Cultural-Insights
- #China-Tech
- The author's grandmother embarked on a solo journey from Indonesia to China in 1953 to study, facing political upheavals like the Cultural Revolution and losing contact with her family for decades.
- Wang Huning, a Fudan professor and now senior Politburo member, analyzed American technology in his book 'America Against America,' noting its dual impact on social alienation and governance.
- Modern China's tech governance blends industrial ambition with strict social control, reflecting Wang's philosophy and shared beliefs with Silicon Valley about technological dominance.
- The author and friends traveled across China (Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Yuyao, Shanghai) to observe its tech landscape, noting contrasts in innovation, competition, and state influence.
- Shenzhen, a Special Economic Zone, showcases rapid development but lacks human-scale planning, with visible state surveillance and a thriving yet competitive tech scene.
- Chinese tech workers exhibit high morale and patriotism, driven by US restrictions, while their pragmatic focus contrasts with Western ideological debates.
- The concept of 'involution' (neijuan) describes China's intense, often meaningless competition, mirrored in sectors like AI, education, and consumer markets.
- Tencent's integrated business model and government-backed initiatives like Mosu Space highlight China's blend of private innovation and state support.
- Shanghai's post-lockdown revival and consumer conveniences contrast with youth unemployment and mental health challenges, reflecting broader societal shifts.
- The author reflects on the dilemma for educated Chinese abroad: weighing China's economic opportunities and quality of life against political constraints and US hostility to immigrants.