China's patent applications have surpassed every other country for over a decade and the speed with which technology out of China impresses the world has picked up in the last few years. Its factories churn out cutting-edge electric vehicles packed with futuristic features – so advanced that European carmakers are now partnering with Chinese firms to gain access to their technology. A complete reversal of the old playbook. In renewable energy and green tech, China has leapfrogged to become the world leader in both production and innovation.

Then came the DeepSeek moment: an AI breakthrough from a little-known Chinese company, proving that China can build models on par with America's best – at a fraction of the cost. And all this despite restrictions on high-tech imports from the West. 

Time and again, China’s innovations catch businesses, governments, and analysts in Europe and the U.S. off guard. With massive investments in quantum computing, biotech, and nuclear technology, what's next? 

Can China lead the world in technology by leveraging its talent, capital, scale, and rapid adoption? Can a state-driven model fuel true innovation through policies and subsidies in China – or the West, for that matter? How effective can export controls be? And what are the defining factors for innovations to become part of our daily lives?

This Oxford Debate, held live in Zurich, takes on the motion: "Innovation Made in China Will Change the World."

Join us to hear the arguments – and decide for yourself.

Nico Luchsinger, Executive Director at Asia Society Switzerland, will moderate the debate with TOY Senior Fellow John Lee, MERICS' Senior Analyst Antonia Hmaidi, Yuka Kobayashi, British Academy Global Innovation Fellow DGAP, and former Financial Times' Beijing bureau chief, James Kynge.

About Oxford Debates

The Oxford Debates at Asia Society Switzerland are a format to address 'big' questions that have no one answer or solution but are inviting many conflicting views. Four renowned experts in the field form teams of two, one team arguing for the motion, the other against it.

The Oxford-style format is broken down into four sections: opening remarks, rebuttals, a moderated question-and-answer session, and closing remarks. Before and after the debate the audience is polled whether they agree with the motion or not. The voting breakdown is not shared publicly until the end of the debate. The greater percentage change between the first and second votes determines the debate's winning team.

Disclaimer: Positions presented in the debate do not necessarily represent the speakers' views

Motion: Innovation Made in China Will Change the World