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China launched more rockets into orbit in 2018 than any other country

And in the next few years it plans to launch the world’s biggest space telescope, the world’s heaviest rocket, and a space station to rival the ISS. Read more »

China’s tech giants want to go global. Just one thing might stand in their way.

Multibillion-dollar companies like Alibaba and Tencent have thrived thanks to a government that provided incentives but otherwise let them grow. Can they count on that in the future? Read more »

How Google took on China—and lost

It used to be that while Google wanted China, China really needed Google. Not any more. Read more »

How China got a head start in fintech, and why the West won’t catch up

Payment apps like Alipay and WeChat transformed daily life in China. The West won’t see a similar payments revolution—and that might even be a good thing. Read more »

Inside Shenzhen’s race to outdo Silicon Valley

Shenzhen flooded the world with cheap gadgets. Can it now become what Silicon Valley never did—a global hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing? Read more »

China is racing ahead in 5G. Here’s what that means.

The next generation of wireless technology promises much faster speeds while using less power. No wonder Beijing is throwing everything at getting there first. Read more »

Why China’s electric car industry is leaving Detroit, Japan and Germany in the dust

China was no good at cars. Then EVs came along. Read more »

Batteries that could let electric cars drive twice as far just got closer

24M is reducing manufacturing costs by stripping out extraneous materials – and just got $22 million to begin building its first commercial factory. Read more »

The Reunion: a new science-fiction story about surveillance in China

Technology is making people unhinged and violent. Can an algorithm stop them? Read more »

China has never had a real chip industry. Making AI chips could change that.

The country has struggled for decades to build a competitive semiconductor industry. In making specialized AI chips, though, it’s got a head start. Read more »