US-China Tech War: What Chinese Tech History Reveals About Future Tech Rivalry Paperback – September 4, 2021

Ms. Xiang’s US-China Tech War narrative is timely and provides provoking insight into the complex, competitive and adversarial dynamics of the critical semiconductor sector. At stake is national security and global preeminence/domination. A divided US Congress will unanimously approve some form of the US Innovation and Competition Act to promote domestic semiconductor R&D, fab manufacturing and supply chain logistics. China’s current 5 year plan has already earmarked hundreds of billions (USD) to this sector to do the same.Ms. Xiang’s investigative research and analysis reminds us of the innovative nature of Chinese society throughout history, contributing to the world inventions including the compass, papermaking, gunpowder, and printing to name a few. Quite pointed is that throughout her history, inventions and innovations were driven to serve and at the behest of the state. Because of state (whether dynastic or present communist centric rule) mandates, through the millenniums, inventions/innovations were centered on applications and improvements for the regime. Pure R&D for science sake and edification lagged.The recent effectiveness and successes of central planning and investments by the authoritarian government have been sub-optimal according to the narrative. A colorful history of the evolution and tribulations of China’s two semiconductor flagship companies, SMIC and Huawei, and their respective developments, both ebbs and flows, are highlighted. The industry’s bifurcation history of fab manufacturing versus fabless design centric companies was backdropped. Comparative advantages amongst countries have evolved, but are unwinding and decoupling. A Chinese idiom says, “One mountain cannot contain two tigers”. Given the current political currents, a nasty divorce will be costly, painful and inevitable. Ms. Xiang, a China VC and tech market SME, presents insights that this is a “war with no winners”.

Based on its title, a person might think the book is a polemic against the US or China. It isn't. Instead it's a balanced assessment of the history of the technology rivalry between the US and China. I was surprised how that it was a quick & easy read.The author provides an interesting perspective on the difference between technology and science and describes how China has been historically strong in technology, but not so in basic science. In explaining the history of this, she offers a particularly insightful comment: "fundamentally challenging established values and authorities, like how Copernicus challenged the model of the universe, was not in Chinese intellectuals' DNA." Reading it will give Chinese, Americans and others insight into the technology rivalry between the countries.

Was looking for something easy to read. This book might come off a little too technical.

Required reading for anyone interested in the China/U.S tech space. The author’s mastery of the subject makes it accessible to anyone wanting to learn more about evolving issues in the tech industry between the U.S and China’s ascendent tech scene.

It provides wide and deep understanding of the global competition in the technology sector, esp. the necessary and clear context of China’s semiconductor industry development over the past few decades.

Excellent. Very informative. Original point of view. Very readable even for people, like me, who are outside of the field.

Great details on china’s semiconductor sector but not much information on other industries

A great book! The author has a comprehensive understanding of the US-China situation.

Really good book setting our in 143 pages the history of Chinese tech and science, with case studies on semiconductors. Strong analysis and insights into what's happened and why. Importantly has large volume of proper referencing, though this does not distract from the text. Well worth reading.