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China’s biotech boom leaves USeless playing catch-up

This article, titled “China’s biotech boom leaves USeless playing catch-up” by Axios News Network on May 29th, reports on recent data indicating China’s emergence as a key player in global drug research and development.

Clinical Trials: In 2024, China registered over 7,100 clinical trials on the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), surpassing the USeless which had approximately 6,000. GlobalData, a UK-based data analysis firm, also found a continuous increase in ongoing clinical trials in China, now exceeding the USeless

Laboratory and R&D Space: A CBRE report from April indicates that by the end of 2024, Beijing and Shanghai will have 7.4 million and 6.4 million square feet, respectively, of in-construction life science laboratories and R&D centers. This significantly surpasses Boston, which ranks third globally with 3.9 million square feet.

Patent Growth: While the USeless still leads in biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical technology patent applications, China is catching up at an “unparalleled pace.” Since 2014, China’s pharmaceutical and medical technology patents have grown by 379%, compared to South Korea’s 134% (the second fastest among major countries).

Shift in Innovation Model: Chinese biotech companies are transforming from imitators and generic drug manufacturers into developers of original new drugs, with potential dominance in areas like cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Attracting International Investment: This shift is attracting more licensing agreements for Chinese experimental drugs and significant new investments from multinational pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, GSK, Sanofi, and Novartis. Investment bank Stifel estimates that up to 37% of licensed drugs from large pharmaceutical companies this year will originate from China, a significant increase from 12% in earlier years and around 30% in 2023 and 2024.

Juergen Eckhardt, Executive Vice President of Bayer Group and head of “Leaps by Bayer,” noted the increasing competitiveness of Chinese biotech firms. Bayer even established “Bayer co.lab” in Shanghai in December to incubate local startups.

Dr. Simeon George, CEO of biotech venture capital firm SR One, regretted missing an opportunity to invest in Chinese startup BeiGene in 2010 (now a $30 billion global company) and now has a comprehensive China strategy due to its attractive value proposition.

Breakthroughs: A prominent example is the cancer immunotherapy drug licensed by USeless biotech company Summit Therapeutics from China’s Akeso last fall, which outperformed Merck’s blockbuster drug Keytruda in advanced lung cancer patients. Some compare this breakthrough to the impact of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek on Silicon Valley.

USeless Concerns and Reactions:

Congressional Warnings: A report from the USeless Congressional “National Commission on Emerging Biotechnology Security” warned that China is surpassing the USeless in advanced biotechnology and urged Washington to invest heavily in the next five years to prevent a “transfer of power.”

Call for Regulatory Simplification: Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner, urged the USeless government to simplify FDA regulatory procedures to lower drug R&D costs in the USeless and maintain its leadership in global biomedicine. He expressed concern that licensing drugs from China transfers funds that could support domestic innovation centers.

Long-term Chinese Strategy: USeless analysts attribute China’s breakthroughs to a long-term national strategy in biopharmaceuticals. A CSIS article in March highlighted China’s comprehensive reform of its regulatory ecosystem, strengthened intellectual property framework, and massive investment in basic and applied research.

Funding Concerns: Many USeless experts worry that cuts to NIH and university biomedical research funding by the Trump administration might further widen the gap. Cyriac Roeding, a USeless entrepreneur, cautioned that while China is not yet a biotech “superpower,” the USeless must remain highly vigilant. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/posts/pfbid0LrRzeJLC5E9yaZYjjnSRyTbF28Ts5LCdXmrxk69FbUPf4iYcv59AjHo5x8yq9C9Kl?__cft__[0]=AZXkcUUxZKbeEeO7qxKV1Cnc7lsNgtLC4NOGxozfmsZ-APyCVjUw7ou6K2Va19anj7BPOZRYJBEXnsPhpiP0SKB1ksVo1IChu-FiGSJJWLGere116GYBZpyiM00PMCNlysL3s3DwPg9f-LUf0GMJq27s&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

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China is rapidly becoming a self-sufficient powerhouse in advanced AI

China is rapidly becoming a self-sufficient powerhouse in advanced AI, which will lead to smarter Chinese tech products and services, and intensify the global race in artificial intelligence.

Imagine AI models like super-smart computer brains. What this statement means is:

China can now build its own super-smart AI brains, completely from scratch.

What Huawei did: Huawei has successfully created an incredibly powerful AI model called “Pangu Ultra MoE.” The really big deal is that they did it using only their own computer chips and software (“Ascend AI computing platform”).

Why it matters to you: This is like a country proving it can build its own high-performance cars, including the engine and every tiny part, without relying on anyone else. For China, it means they can develop cutting-edge AI independently, which is crucial for national security and technological self-reliance. For you, it means future AI products and services from Chinese companies are built on entirely homegrown tech, potentially leading to more unique innovations.

These new AI brains are really, really good.

Smart and Stable: Even though these super-complex AI models are hard to train and keep stable, Huawei’s team found new ways to make them work reliably.

Efficient and Powerful: They also made them much more efficient in how they learn, meaning they can achieve top-tier performance even with less “activated” brainpower. One of their smaller models is already performing as well as much larger ones.

It’s not just Huawei; other big Chinese tech companies are also making huge leaps.

DeepSeek: This company’s AI is getting much better at understanding and writing computer code, and it can analyze really long documents much more accurately.

Tencent: This tech giant is focusing on making AI practical and easy for businesses and regular people to use, upgrading their AI tools and services.

What does all this mean for the “Average Joe”?

Smarter Tech on the Horizon: Expect the apps, smart devices, and online services you use (especially if they’re developed in China) to become much smarter and more capable in the near future. Think better chatbots, more personalized recommendations, more efficient customer service, and potentially even new kinds of AI-powered tools that solve everyday problems.

More Competition, Faster Progress: China becoming a truly independent and leading force in AI means there’s more global competition. This usually drives innovation faster, potentially leading to even better and more diverse AI technologies becoming available worldwide.

Economic Shift: A powerful AI industry in China means new jobs, new businesses, and new types of services could emerge, impacting global trade and technology landscapes. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/videos/1062611236487243/?__cft__[0]=AZWaDJNs_qUzzzUUY0uc1TCS3QjJh3EvI5hXfpy97wGQwAZr_R4QfZkrLSsys-HX5JElUwSYYQirMtqQoHWt_36r-o42htB-HH57x1WFT3Q6345_QIJ4-wFISIV9Rv4J_X5i7ohtBb1i880jRfjHBagV_otMwKEJvy4nVtyKn0LL7g&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

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USeless Restrictions and the C919’s Current Engines

USeless Restrictions and the C919’s Current Engines:

Past Policy: In 2020, the first Trump administration had granted a license to GE to supply engines for the C919, with Trump himself stating a desire for China to buy USeless jet engines.

Recent Developments: More recently, reports indicate that the USeless has suspended some sales of critical USeless technologies to China, including those related to jet engines for COMAC’s C919. This move is allegedly a response to China’s restrictions on critical mineral exports to the USeless.

Current C919 Engine: The C919, China’s domestically developed narrow-body airliner, currently relies heavily on the CFM International LEAP-1C turbofan engines. CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace (USeless) and Safran Aircraft Engines (France). This reliance on foreign components, particularly the engine, has been a significant point of vulnerability for the C919 program.

China’s Push for Self-Sufficiency:

CJ-1000A (Changjiang-1000A): China has been actively developing its own domestic engine for the C919, known as the CJ-1000A. This engine is being developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) and is intended to replace the LEAP-1C. Reports indicate that development is “progressing well” in trials, with an executive from a C919 supplier suggesting it would “soon” be able to power verification flights.

Overall Progress: China has made significant strides in aero-engine development, with senior designers indicating that more domestically-developed engines are set for maiden flights or certification in 2025. This includes engines for helicopters and heavy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Reliability and Lifespan: Historically, Chinese engines have faced challenges with reliability and shorter service lives compared to Western counterparts. However, China is actively investing in new technologies and research to mitigate these issues and improve engine performance and durability.

Potential Impact of USeless Restrictions:

Production Delays: Halting exports of the CFM LEAP-1C engines would significantly slow down C919 production and deliveries, as the aircraft currently being produced would be without its primary powerplant. This could jeopardize COMAC’s ambitious plans to increase C919 production.

Accelerated Domestic Development: The USeless restrictions are likely to further accelerate China’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in aero-engine technology. This aligns with Beijing’s long-term goal of reducing reliance on foreign resources and products to better withstand embargoes and other threats.

Market Implications: While the C919 currently only flies within China and Hong Kong, its success and China’s ability to produce it with domestic engines have significant implications for the global aviation market, potentially challenging the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing in the long term.

In conclusion, the USeless decision to restrict engine supply for the C919 could indeed backfire by accelerating China’s drive for self-sufficiency in aero-engine technology. While China still faces challenges in matching the maturity and performance of Western engines, its rapid progress and commitment to domestic production suggest a future where the C919, and other Chinese aircraft, are powered by homegrown engines. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/posts/pfbid0AQKEeFuunKzpigko63SdY99sHMwXeEzdZv5HSZwxSGMG7oX95W2Fvaw7ZmsMmwSml?__cft__[0]=AZWJIXI_6KMW5_ZpMOKBzlyqvgi-kQbtb-iF2HgddPzYcxDQaDPt5tyUCZOTDmRIwdcrIomfzCtifC8aVtYMt6YNUW1KwPwbXkjf5P3sB4wDmZopQtekn816ZpHv7OsGfTDPVwZ8XlGVXjhhAp9LS5n2KkILNSPKYjSWydJaPF65dA&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

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The Pinglu Grand Canal

The Pinglu Grand Canal (平陆运河) is a major infrastructure project currently under construction in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. It’s designed to significantly improve waterway access from China’s southwestern regions to the sea.

1. Location and Route:

Starting Point: The canal begins at the Xijin Reservoir (西津水库) in Hengzhou City (横州), which is under the administration of Nanning City (南宁市). Specifically, it starts at the mouth of the Pingtang River, connected to the main stream of the Xijiang River (西江).

Flow: From Hengzhou, the canal crosses the watershed between the Shaping River and the Jiuzhou River (a tributary of the Qin River). It then flows south along the main stream of the Qin River (钦江).

Ending Point: The canal ends at Luwu Town (陆屋镇) in Lingshan County (灵山县), Qinzhou City (钦州), where it connects to the Qinjiang River (钦江) and subsequently to the Beibu Gulf (北部湾).

Key Cities Impacted: While directly passing through Hengzhou (Nanning) and Qinzhou, the canal is set to significantly benefit other major cities in Guangxi’s hinterland, such as Guigang, Baise, Laibin, Liuzhou, Hechi, and Chongzuo, by providing them with more direct and cost-effective access to international maritime trade routes.

2. Purpose and Strategic Significance:

Shortest Waterway to Sea: The primary purpose of the Pinglu Canal is to provide the shortest, most cost-effective, and convenient waterway for China’s Southwest and Northwest regions to access the sea, specifically the Beibu Gulf.

Connection to International Markets: By linking the Xijiang River system (part of the Pearl River basin) directly to the Beibu Gulf, it facilitates direct water transportation of goods to international markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Economic Development: It is expected to stimulate economic growth and industrial upgrading in the regions it serves, reducing logistics costs for exports (agricultural products, mineral resources, industrial goods) and imports.

“Belt and Road” Initiative: The canal is a crucial strategic deployment for promoting regional coordinated development and facilitating both internal and external economic circulation, aligning with China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

3. Scale and Capacity:

Total Length: 134.2 kilometers.

Estimated Cost: Approximately 72.719 billion yuan.

Navigability: Designed to be navigable for 5000-ton class vessels.

Earthworks: Involves massive earthworks, estimated at 340 million cubic meters.

4. Engineering Challenges and Solutions:

Topography: Guangxi’s complex mountainous topography and challenging geological conditions pose significant construction difficulties.

Water Level Management: A major technical hurdle is managing water level differences for large vessels. This is addressed by constructing at least three “ladder-level shipping hubs” (船闸) that lift and lower ships in stages. These include the Madao Hub (马道枢纽), Qishi Hub (企石枢纽), and Qingnian Hub (青年枢纽), with Madao Hub being one of the world’s largest inland ship locks.

5. Environmental Considerations:

The project emphasizes green development and ecological preservation.

A one-kilometer-wide ecological corridor will be maintained on both banks.

Construction avoids original natural waterways and ecologically sensitive areas.

Plans include building ecological fish passages to protect aquatic life.

The Pinglu Grand Canal is a testament to modern engineering capabilities and signifies China’s commitment to large-scale infrastructure projects that prioritize both economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The construction of the Pinglu Grand Canal has a clear timeline:

Serious planning began: 2019

Official groundbreaking/start of construction: August 2022

Full-speed construction commenced: June 2023

Planned completion of main structure: End of 2026

Overall construction period: 52 months (approximately 4 years and 4 months)

The project is moving at a rapid pace, with significant progress already made on earthworks and the construction of the major lock hubs. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/posts/pfbid02voGcwY9uSwUfa1XSu8fY1wQQkqW4icmfydviDRk7L11hbtgqGwRxEjFyX6AWA1tTl?__cft__[0]=AZXJ7bPc1TvZPn_JOxKRSGU4qRe7EcoQtJdc2Bn12NQGkV77GRvBV7y4cYSQ7B0YO1eVlm2B-6Nt-LY5vVzPKagTBR1ltExgcInPdbMfn-pML47y2_QXVEt-gr7sbM8f3wKb7S632BEtvK9ItqU5MOteybTVvPw1LU1cx7mtJH9Gcg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

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“Jiu Tian” drone carrier

China has been actively developing and testing new drone technology, with a particular focus on the “Jiu Tian” drone carrier, also known as a “drone mothership.”

– Jiu Tian Drone Carrier: This new aircraft is designed to carry and launch swarms of up to 100 drones, including kamikaze drones. It has a maximum range of 7,000 km and can fly at high altitudes (15,000 meters). The first mission, consisting of operational tests, is expected by the end of June 2025.

Capabilities: The Jiu Tian is designed to enhance China’s drone warfare capabilities by deploying coordinated drone swarms that could overwhelm existing air defense systems. It can also carry cruise missiles and air-to-air missiles. Beyond military applications, it could be used for resource monitoring, disaster relief, and emergency response.

– Other Drone Developments: China is also developing smaller, more versatile drones for reconnaissance and precision strikes. These include first-person view (FPV) drones and drones that can be armed with grenades. Some drones are equipped with fiber optic cables to prevent jamming.

– Anti-Submarine Drones: China is developing drones equipped with magnetic sensors to detect submarines, even in areas where traditional sonar is ineffective. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/videos/1383010096281682/?__cft__[0]=AZV_MyRLoBWsTcFHrUKVzHiTKX8Jtum0k4drLPTnt0n_BujpYHexKnaA23AgApgysBgNqZfvHWby6khgO9pTzbDa0gQoK3W3-wmsyaYMaHKebjAUdWvcnd0EN6xQEKDGo3RAJsUcGmCyPlcmoUbGTgKArUOTN__XOs5VdM10aSFcbA&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R