Livestream: Welcome to the Chinese Century | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InSandra Upson Zeyi Yang Will KnightBusinessJan 22, 2026 5:35 AMWatch Our Livestream Replay: Welcome to the Chinese CenturyWatch our livestream on China’s dominance, influence, and how it is rewriting the future.CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyWhether you realize it or not, you’re already living in the Chinese century. From batteries to milk to electric vehicles, China is undoubtably doing it better—while the rest of us kick our feet up and watch. China is soaring ahead of the US in a space race called by Trump; China is putting up buildings in a day’s time; China is light-years ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to solar energy.Replay the livestream below:On the Panel:Sandra Upson: Features editor at WIRED who brings to life some of our most ambitious, future-defining stories. Sandra will host the livestream.Zeyi Yang: Senior writer at WIRED covering technology and business in China, and one of the authors of Made in China, our weekly newsletter on the biggest tech news from China.Will Knight: Senior writer at WIRED covering AI, and author of AI Lab, our weekly dispatch from beyond the cutting edge of AI.Further Reading:You can sign up for our Made in China newsletter to get a clear-eyed, unbiased view of the biggest tech news coming out of China in your inbox every Thursday.Plus, check out past livestreams, which cover everything from a discussion of the tech industry's allegiance to Trump to a look inside WIRED's interview with Bryan Johnson.CommentsBack to topTriangleYou Might Also LikeIn your inbox: Maxwell Zeff's dispatch from the heart of the AI worldWelcome to the future of noise cancelingBig Story: Cashing in on the apocalypseSo long, GPT-5. Hello, QwenLivestream AMA: Welcome to the Chinese centuryWritten by WIRED StaffTopicslivestreamsChinabusinessartificial intelligenceRead MoreChina’s Hottest App Is a Daily Test of Whether You’re Still AliveAre You Dead Yet soared to the top of app-store charts and became a magnet for investors. In an exclusive interview with WIRED, one of its creators says they’re changing the name anyway.So Long, GPT-5. Hello, QwenIn the AI boom, chatbots and GPTs come and go quickly. (Remember Llama?) GPT-5 had a big year, but 2026 will be all about Qwen.AI Devices Are Coming. Will Your Favorite Apps Be Along for the Ride?Tech companies are calling AI the next platform. But some developers are reluctant to let AI agents stand between them and their users.Why Everyone Is Suddenly in a ‘Very Chinese Time’ in Their LivesThe viral meme isn’t really about China or actual Chinese people. It's a symbol of what Americans believe their own country has lost.Why a Chinese Robot Vacuum Company Spun Off Not One but Two EV BrandsThe pivot doesn’t look out of place at CES, where Chinese electronics companies are increasingly applying their manufacturing prowess to new industries.China Will Tax Contraceptives in a Bid to Improve Birth RatesAmid historically low birth rates and economic pressures from its aging population, China will eliminate a decades-old tax exemption on contraceptives.How AI Companies Got Caught Up in US Military EffortsTwo years ago, companies like Meta and OpenAI were united against military use of their tools. Now all of that has changed.Discovering the Dimensions of a New Cold WarThe United States’ plan for dealing with Putin’s Russia and Xi’s China remains ill-defined among a shifting global order. That must change.AI-Powered Dating Is All Hype. IRL Cruising Is the FutureDating apps and AI companies have been touting bot wingmen for months. But the future might just be good old-fashioned meet-cutes.Tech Workers Are Condemning ICE Even as Their CEOs Stay QuietThe killing of George Floyd in 2020 prompted a wave of statements from tech companies and CEOs. Today, pushback against ICE is largely coming from employees, not executives.Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT. Here’s How They’ll WorkOpenAI says ads will not influence ChatGPT’s responses, and that it won’t sell user data to advertisers.Two Thinking Machines Lab Cofounders Are Leaving to Rejoin OpenAIThe departures are a blow for Thinking Machines Lab. Two narratives are already emerging about why they happened.WIRED is obsessed with what comes next. Through rigorous investigations and game-changing reporting, we tell stories that don’t just reflect the moment—they help create it. When you look back in 10, 20, even 50 years, WIRED will be the publication that led the story of the present, mapped the people, products, and ideas defining it, and explained how those forces forged the future. WIRED: For Future Reference.SubscribeNewslettersTravelFAQWIRED StaffWIRED EducationEditorial StandardsArchiveRSSSite MapAccessibility HelpReviewsBuying GuidesStreaming GuidesWearablesCouponsGift GuidesAdvertiseContact UsManage AccountJobsPress CenterCondé Nast StoreUser AgreementPrivacy PolicyYour California Privacy Rights© 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad ChoicesSelect international siteUnited StatesLargeChevronItaliaJapónCzech Republic & SlovakiaFacebookXPinterestYouTubeInstagramTiktok

**Summary: Welcome to the Chinese Century Livestream**

This WIRED livestream, hosted on January 22, 2026, explores China’s burgeoning dominance and influence, framing it as “the Chinese century.” The discussion, led by Sandra Upson, Zeyi Yang, and Will Knight, highlights China’s rapid advancements across various sectors—from batteries and electric vehicles to solar energy—and asserts that the rest of the world is lagging behind.

The central theme revolves around China’s technological and economic ascendancy, positioning it as a significant disruptor and a new global power. Key points discussed include:

* **Technological Leapfrogging:** China is cited as surpassing the United States in areas like battery technology, electric vehicle production, and solar energy, showcasing a significant technological advantage.
* **The “Are You Dead Yet?” Phenomenon:** The viral meme “Are You Dead Yet?” is analyzed as a reflection of American anxieties regarding falling behind in innovation and economic competitiveness. It represents a perceived loss of leadership.
* **Emerging Tech Trends:** The conversation touches upon several emerging technologies and trends including AI-powered dating, Chinese app “Are You Dead Yet?” and AI-powered dating, advancements in chatbots like Qwen, and the strategic pivot of Chinese robotics companies into electric vehicle manufacturing—evident at CES 2026.
* **Policy Shifts:** The livestream also addressed governmental policy changes, specifically China’s decision to eliminate the tax exemption on contraceptives, an effort to address concerns over population decline. Moreover, the discussion highlighted how AI companies have shifted allegiance and collaborations with US military efforts.
* **The Broader Geopolitical Context:** The discussion frames China's rise within the broader context of a “new cold war” with Russia and the United States, reflecting anxieties about a shifting global order and the need for a clear strategy to address the challenges posed by China’s growing influence.

The livestream emphasizes that China is not simply "catching up," but rather fundamentally reshaping the technological landscape and demanding a reassessment of global economic and political dynamics. The panel suggests that continued observation and strategic adaptation will be crucial for those nations seeking to maintain relevance in this “Chinese century.”