Bangladesh, July 27 -- The global economy is entering another technological turning point, and China intends to be at its center. For decades, the country built its reputation as the worlds manufacturing powerhouse, supplying everything from garments and household goods to consumer electronics. More recently, it emerged as a dominant force in electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium batteries-industries that have transformed the global clean energy landscape. Now Beijing is promoting what it describes as the “next new three”: artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and innovative medicines.

Whether one embraces or questions Chinas ambitions, one reality is increasingly difficult to ignore: the countrys technological evoluti...