Hangzhou

Hangzhou, a city in southeastern China's Zhejiang province, is rapidly emerging as a significant technology hub. It's home to major players like Ant Group and Alibaba, driving advancements in AI, robotics, and space technology. Ant Group is open-sourcing AI models for robotics, while Alibaba Cloud is developing advanced AI models challenging global competitors. Hangzhou's space industry is also growing, with private rocket firms establishing facilities there. The city's tech ecosystem is fostering innovation, with companies like DeepSeek sparking a global AI race. However, Hangzhou-based Zheshang Securities reports that global memory chip shortages are expected to persist despite increased production. Furthermore, the city reflects broader trends in China, including a push for AI chip self-reliance and the expansion of Chinese electric vehicle makers into Western markets. A recent local news story also highlighted the pressures faced by young people in Hangzhou, with a woman developing prediabetes due to extreme dieting.