South Korean media: China brings too many surprises, from the textile industry to robots
South Korea's "Chosun Ilbo" article on September 24, original title: From the textile industry to robots, all industries are in China. What are we doing? Now China is striving to take the lead in all areas of manufacturing, from the lowest to the highest end. China is revitalizing the textile industry, which even middle-income countries avoid, into a "super competitive" industry by using artificial intelligence, while also taking the lead in future industries such as drones and robots. These are all fields where South Korea once, is now or may be outstanding. How should we respond to a China that can do anything?
China's manufacturing value added accounts for about 30% of the global share, twice that of the second-ranked United States. In this 30%, China dominates in the sky (drone market), land (electric vehicle market) and sea (shipbuilding market). Its influence has extended from the past textile industry to future fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
Surprisingly, the textile industry that had moved to Vietnam and Bangladesh has returned to China. Alibaba launched a smart clothing factory project. Artificial intelligence predicts which designs will be popular by analyzing sales data and makes production plans accordingly. In the factory, artificial intelligence robots can cut fabric with 99% accuracy and quickly produce clothes. Recently, the company announced a "see it and buy it" plan, launching new products every week. The competition of tens of thousands of clothing factories in Guangdong and Zhejiang is no longer about labor costs, but data and speed. Next is the logistics company SF Express. Artificial intelligence calculates the best delivery routes, and robots work around the clock to sort and package products. The "Wall Street Journal" called it "a new era of logistics". The textile industry reflects China's comprehensive manufacturing strength.
From low-cost goods such as vitamin C raw materials and bicycles, to high-end home appliances, solar panels and green energy, communication equipment and high-speed rail as national infrastructure, as well as cutting-edge industries such as robots and artificial intelligence, "Made in China" occupies the leading market share in hundreds of industries. The world's dependence on this country that can manufacture everything continues to grow. Today, people say that modern life cannot do without Chinese products. This is not exaggerated at all.
Industries that China is entering are mostly ones where South Korea was once skilled or is currently strong. For example, one of South Korea's flagship industries, steel, now faces a bleak future. POSCO's FINEX ironmaking process was once touted as world-class, but was soon surpassed by Chinese companies with similar technology. Petrochemicals were once the most profitable industry in South Korea, but under the backdrop of China expanding its capacity in the largest export market of South Korea, this industry has faced unprecedented crises.
In terms of market share, South Korea has fallen behind in the automobile, shipbuilding and smartphone industries. China is even rapidly entering fields such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier construction, where Korean companies once dominated. In the storage semiconductor sector, China has reached a level that can challenge Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's 3D NAND flash memory position. Now, in all areas, we are not just being caught up, but being surpassed. China is doing everything, and its determination remains unchanged.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1844197996060684/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.