Duncan Clark

Who do you think the Chinese government considers its biggest rival? The United States, right? Actually, the Chinese government considers its biggest rival to be its own technology companies. It's China's tech companies who threaten its capacity to build a competitive China. That's why the Chinese government is cracking down on social media — for example, by limiting the number of hours youth can play video games, and banning cell phone use in schools. China's restrictions on social media use may be autocratic, but may also protect users more than what we see coming from the US government.It’s a complicated picture.This week on Your Undivided Attention, we're having a surprising conversation about technology in China. Here to give us a fresh take are two guests: investor, analyst, and co-host of the Tech Buzz China podcast Rui Ma, and China internet expert and author of Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built, Duncan Clark. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Duncan Clark, author and China tech/retail expert, explains how AI is reshaping shopping during Lunar New Year. He discusses Alibaba's Qwen 3.5 and chat-shopping, the fierce AI-commerce competition among Chinese firms, and Beijing's efforts to curb aggressive pricing. Short, timely takes on tech, retail and the high-stakes holiday sales rush.

Duncan Clark, founder of BDA and expert in Chinese technology, shares insights on China’s innovation landscape following the emergence of DeepSeek’s AI model. He discusses the impact of US chip restrictions and the potential for collaboration through the TikTok deal. Clark highlights the intense competition driving Chinese firms to expand internationally and the risks of overcapacity in sectors like electric vehicles. He also touches on government engagement with tech leaders and the ongoing recruitment of talent to bolster innovation.