Andy Liao
-
The Rise of Cheap, Chinese Humanoid Robots
The world of humanoid robotics is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once confined to sci-fi stories and elite research labs, robots are now becoming affordable, mass-produced tools thanks to China’s rapid innovation. Powered by a “good enough, fast, and accessible” mindset, Chinese companies are challenging costly Western prototypes and opening new…
-
China’s Semiconductor Investment Defies Economics—But Makes Perfect Strategic Sense
In 2024, China launched the third instalment of its National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, a $48 billion investment vehicle to turbocharge the nation’s semiconductor industry, even as it continues to lag behind industry leaders. The country has decided to double down on what appears to be an economically irrational…
-
How China’s AI Development Remains Resilient Despite Escalating US Chip Export Restrictions
The US is intensifying its restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors, exemplified by the recent ban on chips like Nvidia’s H20, marking a significant escalation in a sustained campaign to curb China’s AI and semiconductor advancements. While these export controls impede China’s technological progress, they are unlikely to halt…
-
Semiconductors, Trump’s Tariffs and the US-China Rivalry: A Conversation with Ray Wang
Jonathan Chin, SSI Editor-in-Chief, and, Andy Liao, SSI Science & Technology Lead, speaks to Ray Wang, a Washington‑based analyst focused on U.S.‑China economic and technological statecraft, with a focus on semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Ray’s insights have been featured in Foreign Policy, CSIS, The Diplomat and he is frequently quoted…
-
Beyond Electric: China’s Strategic Pivot to Autonomous Driving Technology
China stands at the forefront of autonomous vehicle innovation, propelled by fierce market competition and supportive regulations that encourage rapid technological advancement. As electric vehicles (EVs) have become ubiquitous in cities like Guangzhou, Chinese automakers are now pivoting toward autonomous driving technology as their primary competitive differentiator, potentially transforming not…
Sino-Southeast Initiative 