Tuesday, February 18, 2025
We’re all familiar with MAGA—Make America Great Again. Now, there’s another version: MEGA—Make Europe Great Again. How? According to JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference last Friday, Europe should turn inward. He argued that "the true threat to Europe stems not from external actors such as Russia or China, but from Europe’s own internal retreat from its most fundamental values." CNN, however, accused Vance of "downplaying the threats from Russia and China."
It’s an age-old piece of wisdom: a castle is most vulnerable when it is broken from within. Yet, it’s so easy to focus on the faults of others. We see evidence of this everywhere, east or west. This, in turn, confirms the importance of what I’m doing now: 讲好中国故事 (jiǎng hǎo Zhōngguó gùshì), doing a good job of telling China’s story, sharing what’s truly happening in China with the world.
Here’s another piece of China’s story: "China’s EV Giants Are Betting Big on Humanoid Robots," from MIT Technology Review. To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed when I see MIT focusing so much on China as a tech competitor—like it can't break free from the current geopolitical tensions.
This article offers a look on the evolution of China’s electric-vehicle (EV) industry and its expansion into humanoid robotics. It begins by highlighting how two seemingly separate industries—electric vehicles and robotics—are beginning to overlap and complement each other.
With China emerging as a global leader in electric vehicles and humanoid robotics becoming an increasingly hot topic, this story is timely, shedding light on both innovation and real-world application.
The article provides concrete examples—Unitree, XPeng, and GAC—which add credibility and illustrate how technology is crossing over from the EV sector to robotics.
As the article explains, Chinese EV giants are turning to robotics because the domestic EV market in China is nearly saturated, leaving limited room for new players. As a result, companies are repurposing existing technologies for use in robotics. The shift is driven not only by financial necessity but also by the considerable advantage these companies have in tech expertise and established supply chains.
As China continues to innovate in both the electric vehicle and robotics sectors, it’s clear that these industries are not just evolving—they’re converging. The repurposing of technology, such as EV batteries and autonomous driving systems, shows how practical and strategic these shifts are. While the geopolitical narrative often frames China as a competitor, it’s important to also recognize the complexity of its technological landscape.
Finally, keep in mind that what’s happening in China today may set the stage for the future of both transportation and robotics worldwide. The question now isn’t whether China can innovate—it’s how these innovations will reshape global markets and industries for years to come.