China Has an Ambitious Plan to Surpass the West in Technology. These Are the 18 Companies It’s Selected to Carry It Out

China recently held a technology symposium. For the first time in years, President Xi Jinping met with the country’s top tech leaders. Among them was Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, who had remained out of the public eye since falling out of the authorities’ favor in 2020.

The seating arrangement at the event is an important aspect of Chinese culture and protocol. This time, it conveyed subtle but important messages about each company’s influence.

Huawei and BYD were seated in central positions, close to the president. This placement highlights China’s emphasis on the telecommunications and electric mobility sectors, serving as both recognition and reward for these companies.

Beyond the protocol, the meeting’s importance lies in its timing. It signals a potential shift in the government’s attitude toward the private technology sector.

The list of companies that attended the symposium showcases China’s current influence in the tech sector. While some entities are more widely recognized in the West, others remain relatively unknown but hold significant global potential.

Invited companies include:

• DeepSeek. The emerging Chinese leader in generative AI competes with OpenAI models at a much lower cost and is open source. Its growing prominence highlights China’s strong commitment to the global AI race.
• Tencent. The gaming and social media giant is doing really well, especially thanks to the integration of DeepSeek R1 into WeChat. Its “super-app” has more than 1 billion users.
• iFlytek. A frontrunner in natural language processing in China, iFlytek is gaining recognition for its advanced voice recognition technology, which supports the development of AI across the country.
• Qihoo. A major player in Chinese cybersecurity focused on domestic, end-user solutions, Qihoo operates in a sensitive sector as China pursues greater technological self-sufficiency.
• Xiaomi. A well-known smartphone manufacturer, Xiaomi has become significantly more relevant over the last decade. It exemplifies the ability to innovate affordable hardware while maintaining moderate profit margins.
• Will Semi. This company specializes in producing chips for the automotive industry. It also plays a vital role in promoting self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
• BYD. As the world leader in electric vehicle sales, BYD ended 2023 ahead of Tesla, although Tesla reclaimed the top position in 2024. Unlike the American company, BYD offers a wider range of products beyond electric cars, making it a prime example of China’s strategy to dominate future industries.
• Huawei. Despite being a victim of the trade war and facing Western sanctions, Huawei has successfully rebounded. It’s currently experiencing great success with its smartphones in the vast domestic market. The company continues to maintain its position in 5G telecommunications and is diversifying its business, recently expanding into enterprise software.
• New Hope. The company represents China’s ambition to modernize traditional agricultural sectors through the use of AI and automation.
• Unitree. This robotics company offers a variety of domestic robots, including quadrupeds reminiscent of Boston Dynamics’ creations. Unitree exemplifies a category traditionally dominated by Western companies, demonstrating China’s growing presence in the robotics sector.
• CHNT. It’s a key player in Chinese industrial automation, which is a top priority sector in the country’s modernization strategy.
• Feihe. This holding company specializes in the production and sale of dairy products. It was invited to the meeting because of its commitment to digitalization and modernization, which serves as a model for other traditional, more analog sectors.
• Alibaba. One of China’s leading e-commerce giants, Alibaba was founded by the enigmatic Ma, who had been absent from public life for nearly five years. His reemergence suggests a potential thaw in relations between the government and major business figures like him.
• CATL. A world leader in the battery market, CATL plays a crucial role in the energy transition and the advancement of electric mobility.
• Transfar. A chemical group that’s digitizing its industrial operations, the case of Transfar is similar to companies like Feihe and New Hope.
• KOCEL. It’s a leading machinery and intelligent manufacturing company, similar to Transfar.
• Meituan. A local e-commerce giant known for its strong delivery services, Meituan competes with Alibaba on a national level. It’s aggressively expanded its digital services in second- and third-tier cities, although it hasn’t yet ventured internationally.
• Goertek. The company manufactures acoustic components and audio technology for major clients, including Apple. It also serves as a model for its ability to dominate critical niches within the global technology supply chain.

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The recent symposium may be a significant moment in the history of Chinese technology, particularly if it turns out to be a turning point in the relationship between the Chinese government and the country’s tech companies.

Years of strict control in China reached a turning point with the cancellation of Ant Group’s IPO and Ma’s near disappearance. However, Beijing now seems willing to give more leeway to private companies.

Two main reasons appear to drive this change:

1. The rise of AI presents an opportunity for China to lead a global industry, enhancing its recognition and standing worldwide.
2. Competition with the U.S. occurs within a context of strong nationalism and protectionism.

This shift occurs under the guiding principle expressed by Xi: to serve the country.

China is adjusting its technological strategy to maintain state control while allowing the private sector more room to operate, particularly in areas like AI. Speed and innovation are crucial for competing effectively in this field.

In the end, the message is clear: Chinese tech companies are encouraged to grow, provided that they stay aligned with national priorities.

Image | 偉宗 勞

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