Take electric vehicle batteries as an example. Although the United States was the first to make progress in lithium-ion battery production, subsequent research has lacked government support. Chinese companies have taken the lead. BYD and CATL rely on lithium-ion batteries, rather than the nickel and cobalt preferred by Western manufacturers. Through patented technological breakthroughs, these Chinese companies have made batteries lighter, more durable, faster to charge, and cheaper to produce.