China USED to be thought of as the cheap way to go for Production.
Today, (unfortunately) not only does China kick our butt in production, they are also LEADING the world in innovation. Consider, it takes the US ~7 years to go from the lab, to production. China does this in 2-3 years.
The US is risk adverse, China not only steals our secrets, but invests heavily in new technologies. For decades they have sent their brightest students to the USA to get advanced degrees (educational espionage) as well as work in R&D in both military and commercial enterprises (corporate espionage).
In batteries alone, there are over 2,200 companies making various batteries - over 2,000 are Chinese. China makes ~80% of the world’s Lithium batteries, and 90+% of the robots needed to make those batteries.
We are now in LIMITED production of ~350 Watt/kg batteries; China is in FULL PRODUCTION Of 750 W/kg batteries. This is what happens when “No child left behind” programs are in place; the class moves at the pace of the slowest child.
Maybe the fact that China has a huge espionage program stealing technology from other countries has something to with it. And as far as their ability to manufacture? All you have to do is look at their next gen😂 fighter jets, crap engines, and no range among other things and all their designs seem remarkably similar to other countries existing aircraft.