US-China Race for AI Supremacy: Have Tech Export Controls Worked?
The US-China race to dominate the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) sector is entering a new phase as Beijing searches for ways around US technology restrictions. Faced with export controls on advanced chips and limited access to Taiwan’s cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, Chinese firms are investing in alternative pathways — from homegrown AI models and domestic computing ecosystems to massive data centers and new approaches to scaling AI. At the same time, critics argue that Washington’s restrictions may be accelerating China’s drive for technological self-sufficiency rather than slowing it down. Has China found a way around the US’ AI chokehold? In this episode, we examine whether export controls are working, how the AI competition is evolving and what it means for Taiwan, the tech sector and the overall US-China rivalry. *Recorded on June 4, 2026 at 1:45pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Planners: Betty Wang, Miguel Yang Our guests: Ronan Fu - Academia Sinica Institute of Political Science Assistant Research Fellow Adam Ma - Tamkang University Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies Assistant Professor
