Initial data on trade diversion from China and other countries paints a mixed picture. Imports of Chinese industrial robots are rising especially sharply.
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Human-like robots are expected to become a mass product soon. In addition to Western companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics, Chinese competitors are also rapidly positioning themselves. Beijing sets the direction.
By Jörn Petring
A manufacturer of AI robots is to be sold to a company with connections to China. This is reminiscent of the acquisition of the German robotics company Kuka and could therefore fall under foreign trade law. It remains unclear whether public order is at risk.
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Chinese researchers have developed a process that allows cloning pigs via machines. Once ready for mass production, this technology could allow China to become less dependent on imports. This could set the country's agricultural economy on a high-tech path far different from what is envisioned in Europe.
By Frank Sieren
The Middle Kingdom is playing its trump cards in space travel. That's what many headlines say. China's taikonauts (after the word taikong 太空 for outer space) are on the verge of moving into their own celestial palace (Tiangong 天宫) in space in 2022, just before US astronauts and Russian cosmonauts have to vacate their outdated International Space Station (ISS). China's Fairy (Zhang'e 嫦娥) returned to the moon, where she has her cute Jade Rabbit (Yutu 玉兔) exploring the far side as a rover. Starting mid-May, Fire God (Zhu Rong 祝融) will help explore Mars as the second rover. The People's Republic, a latecomer to space, is reshuffling its space cards with traditional folklore – loosely based on Confucius: "The superior man can determine the terms and turn his words into deeds."
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Meituan, by far the largest Chinese food delivery service, is the second tech company after Alibaba to be targeted by the antitrust authorities. However, Meituan is not too worried about this. Instead, it is working at full speed on the autonomous future. Millions of delivery men are supposed to be replaced by robotic vehicles. In some parts of Beijing, this is already a reality.
By Redaktion Table
One lesson from the Covid crisis for Beijing is about more automation. The robotics industry is growing rapidly. German exporters are still benefiting, but China is investing heavily in its robot production. The consequence of automation could be a rise in unemployment.
By Frank Sieren
