15.11.2024Is China (already) a technology superpower?

Date: Friday, 15. November

Time: 16:30 - 19:00

Place: University of Zurich, Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zurich

Room: KO2-F-174

Matthias Sander has been working for the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) since 2014. He started as a news editor and freelance writer for various departments before becoming co-responsible for the society section and reporter for the entire NZZ. In 2019, he was a founding member of Team Tech. From 2020, he worked as the team's China correspondent, first in Taiwan and later in Shenzhen.

Matthias Sander has been the correspondent for French-speaking Switzerland since summer 2024.

China's party and state leader Xi Jinping wants to turn his country into a superpower thanks to technology. China is already a world leader in artificial intelligence, electric cars and computer chips. But further progress is under threat, for example from American sanctions and Xi's hard-line approach to governing.
The vivid, narrative texts by foreign journalist Matthias Sander shed light on China's technological ambitions in a very concrete way. His reports guide readers through everyday digital life, present innovative start-ups and shed light on state subsidy policies. Sander always looks at technology in the wider context of politics, society, the economy and the individual - and its impact on Europe. The book is therefore not only aimed at those interested in technology, but also anyone who wants to better understand contemporary China.

There will be a presentation followed by a discussion.