By the end of this decade, China is expected to take over America as the world’s biggest economy.
The rivalry between the world’s two biggest superpowers has never been more intense.
“China and other countries are closing in fast. We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future,” warns US President Joe Biden.
Both countries are still reeling from the fallout of the trade war. When Trump slapped a tariff on a list of Chinese imports in 2018, China responded tariffs on American products.
Presented by Bill Birtles, this second episode of Clash of the Titans explores the emerging, critical battleground of technology.
Traditionally the US has had the edge here, home to the most successful and innovative tech companies such as Facebook, Google, Tesla and Apple.
But China is catching up fast, investing heavily in such areas as robotics, Artificial Intelligence, 5G and 6G and surveillance technologies.
“In these difficult situations under sanctions, we still shipped 240 million smartphones, and became the world’s second largest smartphone maker,” says the CEO of Huawei.
The US has long accused China of stealing of its intellectual property, of copying not innovating.
But in Shenzhen, the Silicon Valley of China, the energy and creativity is on full display. China is now filing more patents that the US, many coming from the start-ups in Shenzhen.
“The common misconception of China is that it’s a big factory,” says US entrepreneur Garrett Winther. “In reality there’s a lot of expertise, knowledge, understanding.”
English engineer Xiong Chang, who’s developing a robot to help farmers kill weeds, says the speed with which things happen in Shenzhen gives him a huge business advantage.
If he needs a spare part, he can get it ‘in hours rather than waiting days.’
“It’s really true what they say. A month in Shenzhen is similar to four months anywhere else.”
The US is fighting to stay in the race, with President Biden supporting a bill which will invest in billions in technology research and the semiconductor industry.
“As other countries continue to invest in their own research and development, we cannot risk falling behind. America must maintain its position as the most innovative and productive nation on earth.”
“The US tried many times to contain and impose sanctions on China. We have not only survived but also thrived. And our way forward is brighter yet,” says Le Yucheng, China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Watch Clash of the Titans Episode 2 on Foreign Correspondent – Thursday 8 July at 8pm on ABC TV + ABC iview.
You can watch replays on Fridays at 1pm (local) on ABC TV, and on ABC NEWS channel on Fridays at 12:30am, Saturdays at 9:30pm, Sundays at 1:30pm and 6:30pm (all times AEST).
