China, the world’s most populous country, has recently emerged as a global leader in the advancement and innovation of technology. From 5G and super apps to low-cost e-commerce platforms like Pinduoduo (PDD) and AI-driven surveillance systems, these innovations have significantly impacted how Chinese people shop, communicate, and live. In many ways, the technology used in China is ahead of that in the West, offering a glimpse into how societies around the world might function in the future. Here’s a look at how technology shapes daily life in China:
Super Apps
In the West, we rely on multiple apps for different services—Deliveroo for food delivery, Uber for ride-hailing, and so on. In China, however, one app dominates: WeChat. Initially a messaging app, WeChat has evolved into a super app that now includes payment systems, ride-hailing, social media, and much more. On WeChat, users can pay bills, book doctors' appointments, transfer money, purchase train tickets and even get divorced. With over a billion users, WeChat is so essential that in a poll, 95% of Chinese Apple users said they would rather switch phone brands than give up access to the app.
WeChat also incorporates WeChat Pay, which is a payment system that allows users to transfer money, pay bills and taxes, and even earn interest on their funds. Alipay, WeChat Pay’s major competitor and fellow super app, has also pushed the boundaries of digital payments by incorporating advanced biometric technologies such as face and palm recognition. These systems allow users to make payments with just a glance, or a wave of their hand. The widespread adoption of these technologies and QR code payment systems has contributed to China becoming a nearly cashless society.
E-commerce Sites
While platforms like Amazon and Etsy dominate Western e-commerce, a new competitor, Temu, has recently gained attention with its almost unbelievably low price point. Temu is actually a Westernised subsidiary of the Chinese e-commerce giant PDD. PDD is part of a plethora of e-commerce sites in China, including Alibaba, Taobao, and JD.com. These platforms offer affordable products with fast delivery, making them popular and reliable. Although the quality of goods may not be top-tier, for consumers, the low prices often outweigh these concerns.
These e-commerce giants act as intermediaries between consumers and producers, allowing them to keep costs down. The same products manufactured in Chinese factories are often sold to Western retailers at double the price but, by eliminating the middleman, Chinese e-commerce platforms can offer significant savings. Popular items like dog toys, water filters, and household essentials mean that users keep coming back, often spending hours on the platforms thanks to the attractive prices and rewards systems. Some platforms, like Taobao, have integrated with larger companies like Alibaba, creating a seamless shopping experience that combines payment through Alipay and delivery tracking via services like CaiNiao. These platforms are so influential that they generate annual sales worth around US$2.68 trillion.
Surveillance Systems
In China, surveillance and facial recognition systems have become an integral part of daily life. The country has deployed millions of AI-powered cameras across hundreds of cities to to enhance law enforcement while also controlling traffic flows and monitoring public spaces. Facial recognition technology is used not only to identify individuals and enforce social order but also to track people in public areas. In some places, jaywalkers are automatically identified, fined, and even displayed via screens on the sidewalk. These systems have even been used to find lost individuals. China’s facial recognition systems are incredibly advanced, reportedly able to scan the entire population in under a second with an accuracy rate of 99.8%, according to The People’s Daily. While these technologies improve efficiency and security, they have also raised concerns about privacy and government oversight, sparking debates about balancing technological innovation with personal freedoms.
EV Development
In China, you can walk onto the street and see cars from companies you’ve likely never heard of. These manufacturers, like BYD, are growing rapidly, with some even producing more cars than Tesla. Chinese electric vehicle (EV) companies offer affordable yet technologically advanced “smart cars,” which are equipped with features like self-parking, AI assistants, and in-car screens. These innovations are supported by generous government subsidies and tax breaks. The success of Chinese EV companies has become a significant concern for foreign markets, with the European Union recently imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs.
China’s push for EVs extends beyond personal vehicles. Cities like Shenzhen have adopted electric buses and driverless taxis, making public transportation more efficient and more eco-friendly. With China being the leader in EV battery manufacturing, the country is positioned to dominate the future of transportation, offering services like driverless taxis at lower prices by eliminating human labor costs.
Conclusion
Overall, China’s technological advancements reveals just how vital technology has become to daily life and the country’s rapid development. These systems are not only embedded in Chinese culture but are also crucial in the nation’s economic growth and have gone hand-in-hand with China’s rise in the 20th and 21st century. As China continues to push the boundaries of innovation, the rest of the world is watching closely to see how these technological shifts will influence global trends in the years to come and how it will affect us. Understanding it teaches us not only about geopolitics, but also culture and the environment of societies beyond our own.
