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Is China a Technology Superpower?

February 1st, 2026

Introduction

To make it clear I am not in favour of Communism in any shape or form but I have to recognise that China has achieved a great deal especially in Technical terms, Financially and Commercially over the past 10 years. As a military engineer I am am in aw of some of the achievements and futuristic advances in Technology that they are experiencing at the moment. These advances in Technical and Commercial achievements together with their rapid expansion of the military capability guided by Xi Jinping there leader, has raised China to become a Stable Superpower. However, I must stress that there are still major differences in some areas between the Western Countries and China.

Stable China v Unstable USA

In my previous article it is clear that due to the current USA President Trump the USA is extremely unstable and is declining, both internationally and internally. It’s allies Great Britain , European Union, Canada and others have been severely effected recently by the USA in terms of the military alliance, NATO and commercially especially in the case of Tariffs. The allies therefore have recognised that the USA can no longer be trusted in terms of NATO and commercially, especially regarding trade and investment.

Today the Great Britain Prime Minister is meeting with Xi Jinping in an attempt to work closer with a Stable China culturally and commercially to benefit both countries. This visit follows more recent visits by leaders of France and Canada who have also had meetings with Xi Jinping and the Germany leader meeting with Xi Jinping in the coming weeks. These meetings are in part due to the actions of an increasingly unstable USA and its President Donald Trump and his administration. Just recently the USA are proposing Tariffs of 100% on all goods coming from Canada because they have created trading condition for Electrical Vehicle from China and Canola Oil from Canada to China. In a very recent action Trump has said that the USA will de-certify all Canadian built Aircraft in the USA, which will ground the Aircraft.

China Technologies

Is China a Technology Superpower? On the face of it China is way ahead of the rest of the world in the latest Technologies, however let us consider these Technologies in more depth to establish the Technology facts.

High Speed Rail

China has embraced High Speed Rail (HSR) using the Chinese Railway Hi-Speed (CRH) state company, as a main form of transport with over 50,000 km of Rail Tracks and associated signalling systems. They have also adopted in many cases to Elevate their Rail Tracks on specially constructed structures similar to bridges which are not affected by normal life below them. They have adopted a new form of Rail Track based on a Concrete Slab Sleepers rather than using Stone Ballast between the Sleepers. However, these were imported from Germany using German Technology who manufacture them. Based upon the German Technology, China is now developing and manufacturing Concrete Slab Sleepers for different Train loads. This is known as’ Technology Transfer’ which is part of the trading practices in Asia which my own company experienced in the 1990’s.

German Concrete Rail Track Sleepers Image : Gisling

Once again using Technology Transfer from other countries such as Canada, Germany, Sweden and Japan, China is now designing and manufacturing some of its own Trains. The CRH 1 to CRH 5 series trains are mainly designed and developed from imported Train Technology. The latest CRH 380 series still uses a significant amount of imported Technology, Train and Traction Equipment. The CRH380D Train which is manufactured by the Canadian Bombardier Transportation using the Technology Transfer system. The CRH 380-B(L) reached a speed of 487.3 km/h (303.8mph) in January 2011. So it can be seen that whilst The Chinese Railway Network and Infrastructure is impressive, the HSR Train Technology still being imported from other Countries is significant.

CRH-2A (Left) and E2-1000 (right)

CRH-380B(L) Train

The latest Technology know as Electromagnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) was imported from Germany in 2002 for the world’s first commercial MAGLEV line, capable of speeds up to 430 km/h, linking Longyang Road station with Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on October 19, 2010. Since then China has being developing the MAGLEV Train which has no wheels and Levitates (hovers) above a specially designed Track that allows Electromagnetic forces to drive the train forward at speeds up to 600km/h. It is expected that China will adopt this Technology for commercial rail travel within the next 5 to 10 years.

The MAGLEV train leaving Longyang Road station Shanghai China

Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles (EV’s) have been around since the 1850’s mainly Subways like the London Underground, Trams, Trolley Buses run by external electrical supplies. The EV’s of today tend to relate to Electric Cars, Buses and Lorries which use Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries. The commercialised Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery by Sony Japan, was the catalyst for today’s modern EV Cars which have evolved very quickly since the early 2000’s, originally developed by the USA, Japan and Europe. However, it has been the rapid expansion of the Design and Development of EV’s in China that has revolutionised the Car Industry moving away from Carbon Fueled Internal Combustion Engines. The China’s BYD company is now the leading seller of EV’s of all types surpassing the USA’s Tesla and all other brands. The ‘Blade’ Battery is a revolutionary Lithium-Iron (Ferrous) Phosphate (LFP) Battery designed by BYD, that is superseding the Lithium-Ion Battery, as it has an increased capacity, is extending the Range Distance and it Charges faster. One of the latest BYD models is the Sea Lion 7 which has a range of 500 km and can fully charge in 30 mins.

Rare Earth Elements Production

The Basic Rare Earth is not ‘Rare’ at all and is available all over the World. Almost everything thing on Earth is catergorised as an Element which are recorded in a ‘Table Of Elements’. Basic Rare Earth contains 17 Elements which are essential for today’s Electronic World. What makes them RARE is the complex and dirty process of extracting the 17 Elements from the basic Rare Earth. China produces 75% of the Extracted 17 Elements for the rest of the world to use. These 17 elements are essential for the creation of Permanent Magnets, Electronic Components, Production and Processes, Satellites and for Military Equipment and Armaments, in fact almost everything in today’s modern world. The advancement of EV’s and Wind Turbines in particular depends more and more on four major Rare Earth elements for their Motors and Generators Magnets. Therefore, China has a major advantage in the Control of the Supply of these 17 Elements to the Worlds various Technologies including to other Military Powers such as the USA. Of course the supply of the 17 Elements creates a great deal of wealth for China.

Military Technology

Over the last decade China has been modernising and expanding its Military using new Technologies. China’s Navy capability has now exceeded the USA’s Navy except for the number and state of the art Aircraft Carriers. The General China Fleet is more modern as China’s ship building has expanded. China’s latest Aircraft Carrier the Fuijan Type 003 shown below, uses new Technologies, Electromagnetic Catapults (EMALS), similar to the Gerald Ford USA Aircraft Carrier, for launching Aircraft. However, experts say that a major problem of the Fuijan, is that, due to its design it cannot have Aircraft Taking Off and Landing at the same time, like the USA large Aircraft Carriers. There has been a major Technology shift in China’s Air Force with the introduction of the J-20 Stealth Fighter Aircraft shown below and many other new Aircraft of all types. There has been a massive increase in High Technology Tanks, Missile Launchers and other Military Equipment, which is supported by a Manpower increase far exceeding any other Military Force in the world.

Humanoid Robots

Both the USA and China are creating Humanoid Robots for Social and Manufacturing tasks. The marked difference between the USA and China is that the USA are concentrating on Bespoke Humanoid Robots with complex movements and Artificial Intelligence at a small Scale, whereas China is concentrating on Specific Task Industrial Humanoid Robots on a large Scale. An example In Shenzhen China, UBTech company created the Walker S2 Industrial Humanoid Robot and after trials has moved to mass production completing and shipping hundreds already and aiming to produce thousands in the coming two years.

Full Size Industrial Humanoid Robots (walker S2) Image: UBTech China

Another Chinese company Xpeng have created a realistic Humanoid Robot that can move similar to humans, incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) allowing it to interface with a human and respond accordingly. Again the company is planning to mass produce this AI Humanoid Robot for different applications in the near future. For a further insight to Humanoids you can refer to my article : Humans V Humanoids 6th January 2025 at astra283.com

Wind Turbines

China has the largest Wind Power Generation in the world converting Kinetic Energy into Electrical Energy which in 2024 was 885 Giga Watts. On Shore Wind Farms are numerous and large in China such as the one in Xinjiang Province shown below. The major manufacturer of Wind Turbines in China, Goldwind, is also based in Xinjiang Province. The Wind Turbines of today are huge constructions. The image below of the transit of a Single Wind Turbine Blade and The Generator Housing through a UK village gives you an idea of the scale.

However, Chinese Off Shore Wind Farms are actually manufactured by Siemens in Germany due to their more complex design. Through the Technology Transfer route, China is now manufacturing Off Shore Turbines and Wind Farms such as the Donghai Bridge Off Shore Wind Farm shown below. A Chinese company, Power China, has designed and is developing a Floating Wind Farm near Hainan. It is worth noting that the current USA Trump Administration is withdrawing funding for Wind Farms in the USA as the USA President Trump does not like them.

Solar Panels

China dominates the design and development of Solar Panels which converts Sunlight into Electrical Direct Current (DC) Energy that is converted into Alternating Current (AC) Energy for use by the consumers. China manufactures almost 80% of the worlds Solar Panels and Components. It has huge Land Based Solar Farms covering many square miles the largest being 162 Square miles. China is also building Floating Solar Farms.

Conclusion

China without any doubt has embraced Technology as we have seen in many different Sectors and Applications as part of there Clean Renewable Energy and Transportation Sectors. Not only that, China, has and is, increasingly doing so at a huge Scale. The question was ‘Is China and Technology Superpower’? In 1988 my company CTS Ltd created in England the worlds first Technical Training Multimedia Systems and Software using Commodore Amiga Computers, combined with Audio/Video and Animation which was my Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Within 1 year IBM upgraded their PC 286 Computers and Software to PC 486 allowing other Companies to learn and Emulate my Unique Multimedia Systems IPR to Compete with me. From my research and article above China has learnt through the Technology Transfer System from other Countries to Emulate others IPR on a much larger Scale especially the High Speed Train systems. The China policy of moving to a Clean Energy Environment plays an important driver for new Technologies. All Humans learn from each others Technologies, and Emulate and Improve on the original Concepts, However, China’s ability to Apply the Technology in such a Huge Scale in such a short Time, has made ‘China a Technology Superpower’.
Humans-v-Humanoids

January 6th, 2025

Introduction

When we look at ourselves as Humans we are living creatures that are very complex both Physically and Mentally. Increasingly we as Humans are trying our best to replicate ourselves designing and developing Human Looking and Operational Robot Machines, called Humanoids. With the advent of the recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) the Humanoid maybe able to Think and Act like Humans. If we think ‘Outside the Box’ we must consider that the Humanoid in years to come may supersede Humans for very good reasons. I want you to consider my reasoning for this in terms of both Physical and Mental issues.

The Worlds most advanced Humanoid and the Human

The Human Body

We as Humans always consider ourselves to be far superior to any living thing and any Humanoid that exists today. We look at our Physical construction and consider it to be an absolute marvel that we can do all the things we normally do. However is that really true? When we look at the Human Body it is in fact very Fragile and it depends upon the normal operation of the Heart, Organs and Muscles, Blood Flow and Nervous System within our body. Our Bone and Spine Structure allowing us to be mobile is covered in Flesh and Skin. All of these are subject to damage in one form or other. We require Energy and Fluids to ensure our Body functions in the form of Food and Liquids, especially Water on a regular basis. We also have to dispense with the Waste in our Bodies on a regular basis. Therefore our Body is very complex but Fragile in nature.

The Human is susceptible to damage in many different forms internally and externally. Perhaps the best example is the horrific damage to the External and Internal parts of the Body soldiers suffered during Wars, where their bodies are ripped apart by Explosions and Bullets. The other major problem Humans have, are Diseases, Viruses and Illnesses such as Heart Attacks and Cancer which affect the Body significantly as we saw with COVID 19. To confirm this look at the number of Hospitals and Clinics that there are in the world all trying to repair our Bodies from Simple Colds to Major Injuries.

Typical Hospital Ward

The Human Brain

The Human Brain housed in the Head and protected by our Skull, controls everything we do and think. There is still a lot to learn about how the Brain functions. It is our Computer that Interprets millions of signals within our Nervous System from all parts of our Body; including our Senses; Sight, Hearing, Taste, Touch and Smell. The Brain allows us to Learn and Remember Information which we apply in many different ways such as constructing this article. The Brain also enables our Thoughts and Moods which in some cases causes us to be Happy and on other occasions causes us to be Depressed. Each Human has its unique Brain that allows some to be Geniuses such as Albert Einstein, have Normal Brain Functionality or in some cases have Brain Malfunctions.

The Human Brain

Human Performance Physical and Psychological

The Human Performance both Physical and Mental relies upon our individual Life Style but in all cases includes Sleep or Rest every day which is necessary to recharge our Energy for the Activities we undertake. Each Humans Physique is different and the relative Physical Performance varies significantly, some being Extremely Strong, most having Normal Strength or some being Extremely Weak. Most try to improve their Physical Performance by Exercising for months and years and having a Balanced Diet each day but all Humans have Limits on Physical Performance.

Human Physical Performance

Psychological Performance also varies significantly, not just in Academic issues but also related to Attitude issues. Humans tend to consider Psychological Performance is related to Academic Excellence and most Countries structures is based upon this premise. However, there are Two Distinct Parts of Psychological Performance which is Academic Excellence and Intelligence including Talent. There are many people who do not achieve Academic Excellence but reach a high degree of Psychological Performance due to their Intelligence and Talent. There are so many world Business and Political leaders are in this group. There are also those who have exceptional Academic Excellence, Intelligence and Talent such as Albert Einstein (Theory Of Relativity), Michael Faraday (Electromagnetic Induction), James Watt (Steam Engine) and others.

Human Reproduction and Summary

To enable the Humans to continue to exist the Human Body has Two Designs, Male and Female where the Male Fertilises a Females Eggs within her Body. Whilst there are techniques existing for non contact Fertilisation it still requires a Male Sperm to Fertilise the Females Eggs.

It can be seen that we Humans are Very Complex in terms of Construction to a point where we are Over Constructed that leads to many Complications both Physically and Psychologically. Are the Humanoids we are Designing and Creating much less Complex then a Human and therefore more Sustainable for the foreseeable Future. Or are they just an Aid to the Human.

An AI Generated Image – Humanoid Assisting a Human

Humanoid Introduction

I am sure most of us see the Humanoid as a very recent technology. How wrong that is. In 1400 Leonardo da Vinci produced a Suit of Armour that could Move and Sit by the use of Cables and Pulleys. Of course today Technology is far more advanced which is producing some stunning Humanoid (A Robot that resembles a Human Body) and Android (A Humanoid Robot that aesthetically resembles Humans). A Robot is a Computer Controlled Machine, that is capable of automatically carrying out a series of Actions. In other words, the Humanoid Robot Mimics or Simulates the operation of a Human Body and Mind by using a Computer and Specially Designed Software.

A Humanoid one of many being developed to undertake Tasks

An Android one of many being developed at an alarming rate ( Brad Beattie)

The Humanoid Body

The Humanoid is designed to take the shape of a Human Body in that it has Structures; A Torso, Head, two Arms and Hands, two Legs and Feet. however, depending upon the Humanoid only parts of these are used and are operational. The Humanoid Structures supports all of its components (like a Human Bone Structure). Depending upon the Design; To allow movements of these Structures such as an Arm, it can use specially designed Stepper Motors or Rotary Actuators, or specially designed mechanisms activated by Electrical Linear Actuators, that replicate the Shoulder and Elbow Joints. Linear Electrical Actuators are also used to replicate the Muscles allowing Linear movement of the Arm.

NASA Operational Humanoid Valkyrie (Willy Jackson)

Humanoid using Linear Electrical Actuators

A Linear Electrical Actuator is fixed at one end and a Motorised or a Electromagnetic System moves the other end a Piston In or Out producing the Force. It is important to note that the Electrical Actuators can be very small with a small amount of Force for example Hands and Fingers. Electrical Actuators can be larger producing more Force for the Arm designed for lifting heavy items.

Linear Electrical Actuator using Electromagnetic Force

The Humanoid Brain

In simple terms the Humanoid Brain is a Computer and its Specialised Software, that Controls everything. Looking at the Linear Actuator the Computer will send a signal to move the Piston, as the Piston moves the Position Sensor tells the Computer where the Piston is; this is called Position Feedback. At the same time the Force Sensor will also tell the Computer how much Force is being applied by the Piston and its connection. If the Humanoid is designed to walk and move like a Human then there are other Sensors that are used. For example to ensure the Humanoid can balance itself there are devices such as Accelerometers to detect the Humanoids Position. To allow the Humanoid to have the Sense of Sight, Cameras are used. To have the Sense of Hearing, Microphones are used. To have the Sense of Touch, Pressure Sensors are used. The Senses of Smell and Taste are more related to Androids and are being developed. Some Humanoids have Speakers to create Speech. All of this information is supplied and fed back to the Computer and using its Specialised Software will operate the Humanoid to undertake tasks. We can loosely relate these Computer Signals to the Human Nervous System.

Shaking Hands with Humanoid

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being applied to Humanoids and Androids, which is allowing them to make their own decisions. This is in its infancy but is being pursued with vigour in the Robot Industry. One use of AI will be in the military field where Humanoids could be used as soldiers in the not so far future just as 4 legged Robots are being used today.

4 Legged Military Robot

Humanoid Performance Physical and Psychological

Physically, a Humanoid can Out Perform a Human in terms of undertaking simple Physical Tasks. The Humanoid can Operate 24 hours per day given that a Power Supply is available to the Humanoid. The Power Supply is normally from Lithium-Ion Batteries positioned in the Torso which requires Recharging. It does not need to Eat or go to the Bathroom. It has no Heart, Organs or Blood Circulation System, that can be affected by Diseases, therefore it only relies upon the Power Supply and Computer Operating the Humanoid Physical Components. However, there will be times when Faults may occur that requires minor Repairs and Testing. So far as AI is in its infancy there is no Psychological Effects as the Computer Instructions are normally planned for the tasks that the Humanoid has to undertake. Therefore the Human feelings of Happiness or Depression do not exist in a Humanoid. There are moves to make Androids have these feelings.

NASA Operational Humanoid Valkyrie undergoing Testing

Humanoid Summary

The rise of Humanoids is now very rapid in all parts of the world. The image below is a Humanoid/Android called Xiaoqi, answering questions put by an Audience in China due to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Programming. You will notice that due to the looks and elegant appearance Xiaoqi is referred to as She or Her. She shows Kindness, Empathy and is very Knowledgeable all because of the AI Software. There is a huge market for normal and AI Humanoids to undertake all sorts of tasks in the home and at work reducing the stress on Humans. This is the tip of the Iceberg as more and more Humanoids are produced they will gradually replace the Humans. One factor is that the Humanoids can work 24 hours per day and the cost of securing there services will be far less than Humans. Another important point is that they will be less troublesome than Humans.

Xiaoqi, a humanoid robot, is pictured at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China’s Tianjin, June 21, 2024. PHOTO:XINHUA

Overall Human-v- Humanoid Conclusion

In not many years to come Humanoids with aid of AI will increasingly become more sophisticated and highly intelligent. This is no longer a Science Fiction movie it is Real. The problem I see is the Control of this Technology not just Humanoids but AI in general. AI can be a Huge Benefit to Humanity but it can also be a Very Big Danger, where the Humanoid becomes more Powerful than Mankind. It is to be remembered that Computers are already Designing the next Generation of Computers, therefore it could be with AI that Humanoids will Design and Manufacture the next Generation of Humanoids. From experience I started Multimedia Computer Software and Computer Systems only 37 years ago. Look at where we are today. Apply that time scale or even less to Humanoids where will that take us.

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