Technology Archives - The Wire China https://www.thewirechina.com/topic/technology/ Mon, 09 Sep 2024 17:01:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.thewirechina.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cropped-square_logo-32x32.jpg Technology Archives - The Wire China https://www.thewirechina.com/topic/technology/ 32 32 The Problem With “Overcapacity” in China’s Automotive Industry https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/09/08/the-problem-with-overcapacity-in-chinas-automotive-industry-auto-china/ Sun, 08 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000 John Paul Helveston Paul Triolo Jonas Nahm https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=50710 The debate over China’s auto exports is bedeviled by narrow definitions and mis-measurement that risks encouraging the wrong policy response.

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The Roadblock Facing China’s Self-Driving Vehicles https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/09/08/the-roadblock-facing-chinas-self-driving-vehicles-chinese-autonomous-vehicle/ Sun, 08 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=50743 How China’s autonomous driving companies fare in foreign markets will depend on whether they can soothe concerns over how they handle data.

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Gaining Currency https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/09/08/gaining-currency-digital-yuan-china/ Sun, 08 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=50797 Can a central bank digital currency work? China was the first major economy to launch one and, despite several setbacks, is starting to see the digital yuan take off.

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Jeffrey Ding on the Spread of AI https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/09/01/jeffrey-ding-on-the-spread-of-ai/ Sun, 01 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Eliot Chen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=50234 The political scientist tells us why we shouldn't just focus on how good countries are at innovation — but how well they adopt new technologies.

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David Zweig on the Academic Chill Between the U.S. and China https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/08/18/david-zweig-on-the-academic-chill-between-the-u-s-and-china/ Sun, 18 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Andrew Peaple https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=49366 The social scientist and author discusses the fallout from the Trump administration’s China Initiative and how the U.S. should approach academic links with its strategic rival.

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China’s Chip Consolidation https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/08/18/chinas-chip-consolidation-semiconductor-firms/ Sun, 18 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=49404 Beijing is weeding out bad actors in the semiconductor industry and concentrating its resources on well-established firms.

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The Green Leap https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/08/18/the-green-leap-china-renewable-energy/ Sun, 18 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Brent Crane https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=49873 From solar panels to electric vehicles, China dominates several of the technologies needed for the green energy transition. But can the U.S. find a way to leapfrog China and win the next generation of clean tech?

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The Smart Path to Food Security https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/08/04/the-smart-path-to-food-security-china/ Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=48801 China lacks land for farming, but companies are pursuing new technologies to help get the most produce out of every acre.

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Dmitri Alperovitch on Speeding Up Efforts to Deter China https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/08/04/dmitri-alperovitch-on-speeding-up-efforts-to-deter-china/ Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Andrew Peaple https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=49277 The geopolitics analyst says Xi Jinping is bent on invading Taiwan and the U.S. needs to unite with its allies to win a new Cold War.

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ASML’s Powder Keg https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/08/04/asmls-powder-keg-asml-china/ Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=49368 Despite export restrictions on the Dutch company’s most advanced chip machines, China has become ASML’s biggest customer.

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Victor Shih on the Fallout from the Tech Sector Crackdown https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/07/21/victor-shih-on-the-fallout-from-the-tech-sector-crackdown/ Sun, 21 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000 Andrew Peaple https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=48326 The Chinese politics expert discusses how Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive upset the Party’s equilibrium and signs of splintering within the leader’s ruling faction.

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China’s Tech Turnaround https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/07/21/chinas-tech-turnaround-crackdown-investments-ai-government/ Sun, 21 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000 Graham Webster https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=48359 Beijing’s crackdown on the sector, followed by recent huge investments in AI and other areas, are part of a long pattern of shifts in the way the government has approached tech development.

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The Taiwan Debate Is Heading in a Dangerous Direction https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/07/14/the-taiwan-debate-is-heading-in-a-dangerous-direction-chip-industry/ Sun, 14 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Paul Triolo https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=48220 Discussions within U.S. policy making circles take too little account of the devastating impact any conflict could have on the global chip industry.

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China’s Robot Fever https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/07/14/chinas-robot-fever-humanoid-robots-chinese/ Sun, 14 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=48489 Chinese humanoid robots are working better and getting cheaper. But what are they good for?

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Chinese Battery Makers Get Solid Support https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/23/chinese-battery-makers-get-solid-support-solid-state-batteries/ Sun, 23 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=47659 Braving the frigid cold of the Chinese winter last December, William Li, chief executive of Chinese automaker NIO, drove for 14 hours from Shanghai to the southern eastern city of Xiamen, allowing viewers to watch him via a livestream on the company’s app. His aim? To demonstrate that the latest version of the company’s ET7 […]

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The Solar Flood https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/23/the-solar-flood-chinese-solar-industry/ Sun, 23 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=47663 Chinese companies dominate the global solar industry, yet rising capacity has sent prices plummeting.

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The Bus Bust-up https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/09/the-bus-bust-up-yutong-electric-bus-china/ Sun, 09 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=47018 There’s another Chinese export concerning the West — electric buses — and the race to catch up is underway.

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Teacher’s Pet https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/09/teachers-pet-iflytek-ai-edtech-education-technology/ Sun, 09 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Matthew J. Dagher-Margosian Eliot Chen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=47155 The story of Beijing's crackdown on the private tutoring industry has been dominated by the spectacular fall of once lucrative companies like New Oriental. But less appreciated is the companies that have prospered in the policy's wake — like iFlytek, the artificial intelligence company. Beijing, it turns out, didn't just ban private tutoring, it replaced it with AI. Matt Dagher-Margosian and Eliot Chen report on the radical reimagining of China's education system.

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Battle for the Skies https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/02/battle-for-the-skies-dji-drones-china-america/ Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=46432 Chinese drones help American police keep the streets safe, but lawmakers want them phased out.

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Geeking Out Over Warehouse Robots https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/02/geeking-out-over-warehouse-robots-chinese-company-geekplus/ Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=46534 As retailers seek to automate their inventories, Chinese company Geekplus stands out in the race for smarter robots

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Beijing Wants Science to Focus on Self-reliance https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/02/beijing-wants-science-to-focus-on-self-reliance-china-universities/ Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Michael Laha https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=46727 China’s universities are organizing platforms and teams to help break the country’s dependence on foreign imports.

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The Clash of Constellations https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/06/02/the-clash-of-constellations-china-satellite-us-starlink/ Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=46837 In 2021, Beijing announced Guowang, its answer to SpaceX’s Starlink. But with very few updates about the project — apart from disciplinary inspections — it seems Guowang could be stalling. China’s space industry, however, is still racing ahead thanks to the surprising flood of private sector companies.

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Old Chips, New Opportunities https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/05/26/old-chips-new-opportunities-legacy-chips-china/ Sun, 26 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=46341 As the U.S. powers ahead in advanced chipmaking, China is reminding the world that older technology still matters.

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Access Denied https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/05/26/access-denied-jen-easterly-cybersecurity-and-infrastructure-security-agency-cisa-hacking-china/ Sun, 26 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Brent Crane https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=46468 Jen Easterly, the eccentric director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has huge support when it comes to her number one priority: fighting back against Chinese cyber attacks. But to actually solve the China hacking problem, she'll have to figure out how to line up both the private sector and the politicians who are skeptical of CISA.

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What Happened At America’s Own Military-Civil Fusion Fair https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/05/12/what-happened-at-americas-own-military-civil-fusion-fair-ai-expo-for-national-competitiveness/ Sun, 12 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Katrina Northrop https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=45834 The hot topic at a major D.C. conference this week was how the government and companies can cooperate in areas like AI to counter China’s threat.

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U.S. Big Tech in China: Too Big to Bail https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/05/05/u-s-big-tech-in-china-too-big-to-bail/ Sun, 05 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Ngor Luong Sam Bresnick Kathleen Curlee https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=45217 Most major tech firms are continuing to invest in China despite difficult market and international conditions.

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Who’s Who in the EV Battery Supply Chain https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/05/05/whos-who-in-the-ev-battery-supply-chain/ Sun, 05 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Paul Sédille https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=45638 More than any other country, China finds itself at the epicenter of the lithium-ion battery revolution.

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Micron Plays the Long Game in China https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/04/28/micron-plays-the-long-game-in-china-xian-semiconductor-plant/ Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=45213 While the U.S. memory chipmaker builds a new assembly plant in Xi’an, it is shifting its focus elsewhere.

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Angela Huyue Zhang on Why Beijing Took On the Tech Giants https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/04/28/angela-huyue-zhang-on-why-beijing-took-on-the-tech-giants/ Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Eliot Chen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=45214 The academic talks about the reasons behind China’s crackdown on its tech sector and its legacy, as well as how Chinese regulators are tackling AI.

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Xiaomi’s Electrifying Gamble https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/04/21/xiaomis-electrifying-gamble-xiaomi-su7/ Sun, 21 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=44557 The company became a household name selling budget smartphones, but is now staking its reputation on electric vehicles.

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The Chip Comeback https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/04/21/the-chip-comeback-tsmc-arizona-japan-fabs-tsmcs/ Sun, 21 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Luke Patey https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=44964 What is so hard about making chips in America? And can the U.S. do anything about it? As part of his series, 'Remaking the Chain,' Luke Patey went searching for answers from America's past and from the last country to threaten its mantle as the world’s leading economy.

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China’s AI Pioneers Face A Critical Year https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/04/14/chinas-ai-pioneers-face-a-critical-year-industry/ Sun, 14 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Paul Triolo Kendra Schaefer https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=44590 China's AI industry is still developing and it's still unclear who will emerge as the market leaders.

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China’s Red Carpet https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/04/07/chinas-red-carpet-us-china-business-leaders-in-china-ceos-investment-economy/ Sun, 07 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=44150 While Washington and Beijing remain at loggerheads, China is still welcoming some U.S. business leaders.

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The Chinese EV Price War Goes Global https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/03/24/the-chinese-ev-price-war-goes-global/ Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=43625 The fierce competition between Chinese automakers has the potential to reshape EV markets around the world — and stoke resistance.

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A Russian Nuclear Anti-Satellite Weapon Is Not Good News for China https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/03/17/a-russian-nuclear-anti-satellite-weapon-is-not-good-news-for-china-russia-us/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Brian Hart Joseph Webster https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=43321 Russia’s alleged development of a nuclear anti-satellite weapons capability could upend strategic stability between the three most powerful nuclear-armed states: the United States, China, and Russia.

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Printer Problems https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/03/17/printer-problems-smee-asml-china-semiconductor-chip/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Eduardo Jaramillo https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=43368 Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) wants to be 'China's ASML' and produce the engineering marvels that help 'print' semiconductor chips. But it seems to be woefully behind that mission, imperiling China’s effort to domesticate chipmaking at a critical time. With a vast network of suppliers and all of China rallying for it to succeed, can it finally catch up?

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How Google’s Alleged Thief Wooed Investors https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/03/17/how-googles-alleged-thief-wooed-investors-ding-linwei-google-ai/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Eliot Chen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=43378 The case of an employee at the U.S. internet giant who allegedly leaked artificial intelligence secrets raises questions for his Chinese backers.

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Ruling the Metaverse https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/03/10/ruling-the-metaverse-rokid-xreal-apple-augmented-reality-ar/ Sun, 10 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=42946 A look at Rokid, the company at the forefront of China's augmented reality industry.

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Who’s Who in the Semiconductor Supply Chain https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/25/whos-who-in-the-semiconductor-supply-chain-chinese-us-firms/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Paul Sédille https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41975 A detailed analysis of the companies involved in chip manufacturing globally shows a big role for both U.S. and Chinese firms.

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Jason Matheny on Tech, National Security and China https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/18/jason-matheny-on-tech-national-security-and-china/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Bob Davis https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41868 The chief executive of Rand Corp talks about semiconductors, AI and the future of Chinese investment in the U.S..

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Chinese Consumer Tech Brands Are Going Global https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/18/chinese-consumer-tech-brands-are-going-global/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Rachel Cheung https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41870 As domestic consumption slows, Chinese businesses are trying to gain a foothold elsewhere.

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Seoul’s Big Switch https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/18/seouls-big-switch-south-korea-memory-chips-semiconductor-china/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Eliot Chen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41908 South Korea dominates the world's production of memory chips, but its semiconductor firms have long depended on Chinese manufacturing. With the U.S. now trying to “decouple” the semiconductor industry from China, South Korea faces a significant challenge to reinvent itself.

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Automakers at Sea https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/11/automakers-at-sea-byd-shipping/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41580 As China becomes the world’s biggest auto exporter, BYD and its peers are moving into shipping.

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The Food Security Gene https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/04/the-food-security-gene-china-gm-crops-seeds/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Aaron Mc Nicholas https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=40588 A look at how Beijing is shedding its skepticism about GM crops.

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The DNA Distortion https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/02/04/the-dna-distortion-ande-china-biotechnology-dna-testing/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Katrina Northrop https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41308 ANDE, a U.S. biotechnology company, promised a "faster way to a safer world" with its revolutionary rapid DNA testing machine. But by selling its innovation to China's police force and public security apparatus, it has instead invited questions about the role of U.S. technologies in China's brutal surveillance state.

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Ernest Scheyder on the Tough Choices around Critical Minerals https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/01/28/ernest-scheyder-on-the-tough-choices-around-critical-minerals/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Andrew Peaple https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41023 The journalist discusses the trade-offs involved in sourcing the minerals needed to power the clean energy transition, and how the U.S. fell behind China in producing vital resources.

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G42’s China Ties Reveal a Broader AI Debate https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/01/28/g42s-china-ties-reveal-a-broader-ai-debate/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Katrina Northrop https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41029 How far should the U.S. government go to ensure that adversaries like China can’t catch up on AI?

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U.S. Technologies and the Emboldening of China https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/01/28/u-s-technologies-and-the-emboldening-of-china-export-controls-military-technology/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Steve Coonen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=41064 Rather than restricting access to militarily useful technologies, U.S. export control officials and their failed policies risk emboldening Beijing.

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Beijing Plays A Dangerous Game With the Markets https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/01/14/beijing-plays-a-dangerous-game-with-the-markets-video-gaming-regulations/ Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Eliot Chen https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=40361 China’s backtracking on its new video gaming regulations show how ‘shock and awe’ regulation has gone out of style.

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Back on Track? https://www.thewirechina.com/2024/01/14/back-on-track-two-dialogues-u-s-china/ Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Bob Davis https://www.thewirechina.com/?p=40362 Could a recent flurry of "track-two" activity be a sign that relations between Beijing and Washington are stabilizing? Informal meetings on critical topics like AI arms control and military-to-military communications have picked up recently, and both U.S. officials and the track-two participants say the impact was obvious at November's summit between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden. Bob Davis reports.

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