【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】

Currently, China and the United States are engaged in continuous competition across various fields, especially in high-end scientific research, where China has developed rapidly and is showing the potential to comprehensively surpass the United States. This has forced Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and former Executive Chairman of Alphabet, to reflect.

On October 30, Schmidt and his artificial intelligence (AI) team member Selina Xu published a signed article in The Atlantic in the United States, stating that the West needs to consider a key question: How has China, within a few decades, risen from a "technologically backward country" to a "superpower."

The article states that if the United States only focuses on weakening its rivals, it will face the risk of stagnation, as China already has the capability to offer a more attractive vision of the future than the United States. They called on the United States to think about how to maintain innovation and leadership in future industries.

The article mentions that in 1896, Li Hongzhang first arrived in the United States. At that time, China had not completed its industrial revolution, and the previous year had suffered a devastating defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, which led to a painful awakening of its own backwardness. Li Hongzhang was shocked by the skyscrapers in New York, saying, "I have never seen such buildings before."

Today, foreigners visiting China often feel a "future shock," marveling at the skyscrapers, high-speed rail, giant bridges, electric vehicles, super applications, and three-fold smartphones in major Chinese cities.

Li Hongzhang arriving at a hotel in New York, USA in 1896. Visual China

Yes, China today is no longer what it used to be, having developed into an innovative power.

Data shows that China accounts for 70% of global AI patent authorizations, 75% of clean energy technology patent applications, and 41% of life science and biotechnology patent authorizations. It also leads the world in fusion technology patent applications. According to the Nature Index, eight out of the top ten research institutions are in China.

In recent years, globally leading high-tech innovations such as driverless taxis, robots, the Tiangong space station, and the world's largest hydropower station have continuously emerged in China. China is the world's top manufacturer and exporter, producing more than two-thirds of the global electric vehicles, four-fifths of solar components and battery cells, and approximately 60% of wind turbines, and processing most of the rare earth minerals essential for technologies such as chips and fighter jets.

"Last July, when we visited China, we could feel the strong desire of China to leap into the future on the streets," the article wrote.

Schmidt then mentioned that during his visit to China, he was impressed by companies like Xiaomi, Huawei, Alibaba, and XPeng Motors.

He gave an example, stating that when he visited a Xiaomi store, it felt like entering a high-tech supermarket, with electric vehicles, smartphones, tablets, and smart home appliances all available. He said that Xiaomi's success reflects the unique strengths of many Chinese tech companies: building their own hardware, as well as the ready suppliers, infrastructure, and technical expertise in China. These advantages are also evident in companies like Huawei, Alibaba, and XPeng.

Eric Schmidt (right) attending the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai this July

The article believes that there is fierce competition in all sectors in China. Although competition has its drawbacks, it encourages Chinese companies to differentiate and diversify their technological departments.

For example, in the AI field, DeepSeek and other leading companies have significantly improved the efficiency of AI model architecture, greatly reducing costs; many startups focus on embodied AI interacting with the real world; some companies specialize in AI department applications; and research institutions focus on exploring neural network alternatives, including cognitive architectures that require only a small amount of data for reasoning. Meanwhile, the open-source concept in China's AI field is active, prompting companies and local governments to accelerate AI applications.

Schmidt stated that competition also drives innovation. For instance, 15 years ago, Huaqiangbei in Shenzhen was closely associated with "counterfeit" products; now, with the emergence of innovative Chinese companies, Huaqiangbei has become unrelated to the term "counterfeit."

The article further points out that in the 1980s and 1990s, China opened its doors to foreign companies' investments and factory setups. After learning from the West for many years, China has grown into the most powerful technological rival of the United States after the Cold War.

What can the United States learn from China's development? Schmidt suggested in the article that domestic competition in the United States is not as intense as in China, but it can learn from China's diversified approach to AI and technology, including integrating existing AI with traditional and emerging industries, encouraging AI innovation and application, and committing to maintaining openness and cooperating with countries that want to use American technology.

He concluded that the United States can benefit from the manufacturing expertise of Chinese companies. However, if the United States wants to revitalize its manufacturing, it should focus on its strengths: supporting scientific research, welcoming the best overseas talent through immigration policies, and reducing regulatory barriers.

"It is beneficial for the United States to maintain competition with China while engaging in more cooperation in specific areas," the article states. If the United States wants to revive and expand its manufacturing, particularly in batteries, car parts, and renewable energy, it should allow Chinese companies to invest in the United States. This would enable Chinese companies to train American workers, create jobs, and revitalize advanced manufacturing in the United States.

Finally, the article concludes: "If the United States continues to succumb to arrogance or hostility, unable to see that China is doing well, the United States may become a more closed and protectionist country, trapped in expensive American-made products, high electricity prices, and declining universities. At that time, we may no longer be the global superpower of excellence."

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Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7567288961694024219/

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