How China became an innovation powerhouse
Its state-led model has generated impressive results. But the costs are mounting
Add BT as a preferred source
MOST startups need time to prove that they can be trusted with investors’ money, let alone dangerous technologies. But not Fusion Energy Tech, a Chinese company in the city of Hefei that was carved out two years ago from a nuclear-research lab.
In July, it announced that it would be commercialising a plasma technology derived from fusing the nuclei of atoms, which produces a reaction much hotter than the sun. It has already developed a security-screening device using related technology that is popping up in local metro stations. Commuters walk past them every day.
Xi Jinping, China’s supreme leader, is fixated on beating the West in new technologies. Chinese companies already dominate areas including electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium batteries, and are fast taking the lead in emerging fields such as humanoid robots.
TRENDING NOW
DBS, OCBC and UOB shares hit all-time highs as sentiment improves
Targeted credit relief: Vietnam steers funding to Vingroup, Sun Group, Masterise megaprojects
E-commerce job cuts signal S-E Asia’s shift from scaling to deeper user engagement
Employers want AI-fluent employees. Hiring them is the challenge
