Chinese tech firms expand globally amid AI boom and domestic rivalry

Chinese technology firms are swiftly broadening their international reach in both AI software and hardware, spurred by a worldwide increase in AI investments and fierce local competition. They are not only enhancing physical supply chains but also providing cloud-based software and foundational models. According to customs data from the first half of 2026, exports of integrated circuits surged to US$177.3 billion, nearly doubling with a 96% year-on-year increase due to rising global chip prices. Automatic data-processing equipment exports rose over 41% to US$138.1 billion, while industrial-robot shipments increased by more than 18% to US$929 million across 141 nations. In 2025, Shanghai's MiniMax AI lab earned US$57.7 million, representing 73% of its revenue from outside mainland China, serving over 214,000 clients globally.