Foreign tech leaders flock to China on factory tours amid AI race

A growing number of foreign investors, startup founders and corporate executives are paying thousands of dollars to tour Chinese factories, hoping to witness the country's technological ascent first-hand. The visits come amid global anxiety over a possible 'China shock 2.0', as Western businesses confront the prospect of Chinese leadership in advanced manufacturing and AI.

Robert Wu, CEO of Shanghai-based research firm Baiguan, has organised tours for over two dozen investors and entrepreneurs, charging up to $15,000 for a five-day programme. He notes that visitors often arrive with misconceptions, such as overestimating China's robotaxi sector, which is actually tempered by domestic policy caution over job losses.

A cottage industry has emerged to cater to this demand. Shanghai-based agency GloPen reports a 50% jump in inquiries from European and Singaporean clients, running over 100 single-day company tours monthly. The circuit typically covers Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hefei — hubs of China's EV, battery, AI and robotics boom.

European executives, in particular, are arriving with a sense of urgency. Alex Shengyun Lu, an AI consultant at Praxis Advisory, has led seven delegations of up to 50 visitors since late 2025. He describes an 'uneasy mood' among European leaders, who are keen to understand China's state-backed approach to technology investment and its coordination of AI deployment across provinces.

Shenzhen has become the epicentre of this trend. The city, preparing to host the APEC forum in November, saw foreign visitor numbers rise 70% last year. Local firms are establishing 'hacker houses' for foreign robotics and AI hardware entrepreneurs. U.S. manufacturing consultant Joshua Woodard, based in Shenzhen, says founders are arriving on visa-free entry to scout suppliers, noting that 'U.S. robotics companies still heavily source components and hardware from China.'

Despite escalating U.S.-China tech tensions, the flow of visitors remains strong. As Tech Buzz China founder Rui Ma puts it, even those not investing in China are likely to encounter Chinese companies as competitors, partners or suppliers. Still, observers caution against overstating China's edge, noting that non-Chinese firms retain most global market share and advanced IP.