By Pablo Dufour, The London School of Economics and Political Science 2025 1990 Institute Prize Winner Annual China Focus Essay Contest of the 21th Century China Center, UC San Diego Abstract This essay critically assesses China’s progress under the Made in China 2025 (MIC2025) initiative through the comparative lens of two strategic sectors: robotics and aerospace. It argues that while China has achieved remarkable gains in robotics by leveraging state support, regional indu

By Abraham Wu, UC San Diego 2025 1990 Institute Runner Up Prize Winner Annual China Focus Essay Contest of the 21th Century China Center, UC San Diego Abstract Mexico has become the hinge economy in North America where Washington and Beijing test rival development models and strategic leverage. This essay argues that a second Trump administration would place Mexico at the center of a three-way trilemma: pursuing economic independence for Midwest voters, preserving cross-borde

By Parvathy Sailesh & Chenling Wan, National University of Singapore 2025 1990 Institute Runner Up Prize Winners Annual China Focus Essay Contest of the 21th Century China Center, UC San Diego Abstract Made in China 2025 (MIC25) sought to transform China from low-value manufacturing to technology leadership. This essay compares the outsized success of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) sector, with the dismal progress in China’s indigenous passenger aircraft sector to underst