China in Rapid Transformation

After a week full of meetings in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou, we left China with far more impressions than expected. Perhaps what struck us the most was just how remarkably modern, efficient and well-functioning the country feels today. At times, it genuinely felt like a “very large Singapore”, even far outside central Shanghai. The infrastructure, logistics, cleanliness and technological development are difficult to ignore.

The trip also provided a very clear sense of where Chinese industry is heading. Only a few years ago, EVs, batteries and solar energy were the dominant strategic priorities. Today, there is a visible and massive shift towards robotics, AI and semiconductors. What stands out is not only the level of innovation - but the speed of execution.

Meetings with companies involved in battery technology and energy storage reinforced the view that next-generation batteries - semi-solid and solid-state - could represent a major technological leap in terms of range, safety and charging times. At the same time, energy storage systems (ESS) increasingly appear to be one of the most important long-term growth areas across the broader energy ecosystem.

Perhaps most fascinating, however, were the meetings related to AI-driven surveillance and industrial automation. The combination of camera technology, AI and sensors is opening up use cases that would have seemed futuristic only a few years ago - from intelligent traffic management and industrial quality control to advanced real-time monitoring systems in factories.

Overall, we leave China with the impression that, despite geopolitical uncertainty and economic challenges, the country continues to move forward at remarkable speed - particularly within advanced technology and industrial innovation. It is difficult not to be impressed by the level of ambition, willingness to invest, and the long-term strategic direction.