BEIJING, Jan 30 (Reuters) – The rapid global ascent of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has ignited a wave of pride and optimism across China, with citizens, bloggers, and state media hailing the company’s achievements as a testament to the nation’s resilience in the face of U.S. technological containment efforts.
Last week, DeepSeek unveiled a free AI assistant that reportedly uses significantly less data and operates at a fraction of the cost compared to established competitors. By Monday, the app had surpassed U.S.-based ChatGPT in downloads on Apple’s App Store, triggering a selloff in global tech stocks. The company’s ability to rival OpenAI’s capabilities at a lower cost has raised questions about the sustainability of business models for U.S. tech giants like Nvidia and Microsoft.
In China, DeepSeek’s success has been celebrated as a sign that the country can overcome Washington’s export controls on advanced semiconductors and other technologies. Military affairs commentator Chen Xi, in a post on his WeChat account, declared that the U.S. strategy to contain China’s technological advancement had “completely failed.”
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on Monday, suggesting that DeepSeek’s innovation should serve as a wake-up call for American companies. He acknowledged the Chinese firm’s development of a cheaper and faster AI method as a positive development for global competition.
The Zhejiang provincial government, where DeepSeek is headquartered, published a widely circulated essay on Wednesday that garnered over 100,000 views. The essay emphasized China’s growing technological prowess, stating, “The moon overseas is not actually more round. Whatever others can do, we can also do it and even do it better.” It cautioned against both excessive triumphalism and undue pessimism, urging a balanced perspective on China’s tech advancements.
The public’s reaction to DeepSeek’s rise mirrors the enthusiasm that followed Huawei’s surprise release of its high-end Mate 60 Pro smartphone in 2023. At the time, the state-backed Global Times argued that Huawei’s breakthrough demonstrated the failure of U.S. sanctions to stifle China’s tech industry.
Chen Jianuo, a 38-year-old employee at a sustainable development magazine in Beijing, expressed pride in DeepSeek’s international recognition. “China has made great progress in artificial intelligence, and I hope our country’s technological development continues to improve,” she said.
Leo Li, a 24-year-old student, shared similar sentiments, noting his pride in seeing a Chinese company compete with global leaders like Meta and OpenAI. “As a Chinese citizen, it’s exciting to see our AI research and development gaining global attention,” he said, adding that he would consider using DeepSeek’s AI tools.
DeepSeek’s success has not only bolstered national pride but also reignited discussions about China’s ability to innovate and compete on the global stage, despite ongoing geopolitical challenges. As the AI race intensifies, the company’s achievements are seen as a symbol of China’s growing influence in the tech world.
