In a recent chat with CGTN’s Guan Xin, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave dropped a truth bomb: by locking out innovators from the Chinese mainland, Western tech policies are shooting themselves in the foot.
Cosgrave argued that Europe and the U.S. are focusing too much on short-term security and competition, instead of building a truly global innovation ecosystem where the Chinese mainland plays a key role. “We need collaboration, not isolation,” he said, warning that these tech walls will ultimately harm Western startups and consumers more than the Chinese mainland tech sector itself.
He painted a picture of a world where ideas cross borders like digital waves 🌊—from AI breakthroughs to green energy solutions, innovation thrives when minds from all regions share and build on each other’s work. Shutting out the Chinese mainland, Cosgrave believes, risks fragmenting the internet, slowing progress, and driving up costs for everyone.
In his view, the future belongs to open networks that connect creative hubs in Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, Berlin, and beyond. “Let’s tear down these barriers and make the next big discoveries together,” he urged, reminding us that in today’s fast-paced digital age, unity beats isolation every time. 🤝🚀
Reference(s):
Blocking Chinese innovation hurts the West: Web Summit founder
cgtn.com
