Manufacturing

Why China’s biotech rise is harder to contain than AI

China is emerging as a biotech powerhouse, but its rise is entwined with US drugmakers through research, licensing and supply chains, making decoupling far more difficult than in AI. Academic Chen Xiangming and biopharma industry practitioner Leon Tang analyse the situation.

Chen Xiangming, Leon Tang

05 Aug 2026

Can China’s slowing economy sustain its tech ambitions?

China sees technological self-reliance as the key to future growth. But with a slowing economy, can Beijing sustain the investment needed to achieve its high-tech ambitions over the long term? Economist Min-Hua Chiang examines the issue.

Min-Hua Chiang

31 Jul 2026

China’s AI-driven robotics boom faces IPO reality check

China’s strides in “embodied AI” — the integration of artificial intelligence into physical systems like robots — is built on world-class manufacturing and bold investor bets. But with IPOs looming, startups must prove their robots can generate real commercial value — not just hype.

Caixin Global

31 Jul 2026

China’s DUV breakthrough: Has America’s tech wall outlived its purpose?

China’s reported breakthrough in producing domestic DUV lithography machines could mark a turning point in its chip war with the US, but experts warn that catching up with global leaders remains a long road. Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Edwin Ong reports.

Edwin Ong

29 Jul 2026

Why global scale is no longer enough in a fractured world

Global scale once delivered efficiency and growth. Today, geopolitical fragmentation demands something more: the ability to govern global operations under pressure, opines Milken Institute’s Robin Hu.

Robin Hu

23 Jul 2026

Michael Wee: Why Singapore’s PATEC chose Taiwan over SGX

PATEC founder Michael Wee shares why he listed his precision engineering company in Taiwan, how AI revived its hard disk drive business, and his plans for PATEC’s next phase of growth in this interview with Lianhe Zaobao associate business editor Chew Boon Leong.

Chew Boon Leong

22 Jul 2026

How geopolitics rewired China’s economy

Looking beyond the numbers of China’s published half-year economic data, it is clear that structural changes in China’s economy are taking place, which will have broader effects in the longer term, says academic Gu Qingyang.

Gu Qingyang

15 Jul 2026

[Big read] One Taiwan, two speeds: The winners and losers of the AI boom

Taiwan’s AI boom is driving record growth and stock market highs, but beneath the prosperity, widening inequality and geopolitical risks threaten its long-term advantage. Lianhe Zaobao Taipei correspondent Lai Oi Lai speaks with experts and people on the ground to find out.

Lai Oi Lai

15 Jul 2026

China as an absolute advantage economy

Given China’s current industrial and financial stature, Professor Yasheng Huang observes that the puzzle is not why China exports cars, but why it is still exporting t-shirts.

Yasheng Huang

30 Jun 2026

From caviar to foie gras: China’s next export shock

From caviar to foie gras, Chinese producers are entering markets long tied to European prestige. As these brands expand overseas, Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu explores what their success reveals about China’s growing influence in global markets.

Yang Danxu

30 Jun 2026

How Turkey arms China’s rivals without angering Beijing

Just as it balanced its role supplying combat drones to Ukraine while deepening trade relations with Russia, Turkey is playing a similar game by advancing arms sales in the Indo-Pacific while staying out of China’s way. Italian commentator Emanuele Scimia gives his analysis.

Emanuele Scimia

29 Jun 2026

Chinese carmakers push deeper into Europe despite rising EU trade barriers

EU tariffs have not stopped China’s auto advance. Carmakers are capitalising on the popularity of Chinese electric vehicles and deepening their European footprint through local production, partnerships and regulatory adaptation.

Caixin Global

12 Jun 2026