SUPPLY CHAIN TIMELINE: China’s Rise in Global Trade & Supply Chain Power. Year | Key Event | Impact 1978 | Deng Xiaoping launches "Reform and Opening Up" | Shift from planned economy to market reforms; welcomes foreign investment. 1980s | Special Economic Zones (e.g., Shenzhen) established | Factories explode in growth, becoming hubs for global export. 1990s | Explosive growth in textiles, toys, electronics | Western companies begin outsourcing en masse to cut costs. 2001 | Joined WTO (World Trade Organization) | China gets full access to global markets — boom in exports. 2000s | "Factory of the World" status | Apple, Nike, Walmart and others shift most production to China. 2010s | Moves up the value chain (tech, EVs, solar) | No longer just cheap goods — now high-tech industries flourish. 2013 | Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) launched | Expands China’s trade routes via ports, railways, and pipelines. 2018 | U.S.-China trade war begins | Tariffs reveal vulnerabilities in global overdependence on China. 2020 | COVID-19 hits | Lockdowns in China freeze global supply chains. Wake-up call. 2021–2024 | Push for “dual circulation” & self-reliance | China focuses on internal demand while still dominating exports. 2024–2025 | U.S. and EU expand tariffs & decoupling efforts | Start of supply chain restructuring globally. SUPPLY CHAIN MAP: China’s Dominance by Industry:- Here’s how deep China is embedded in global supply chains: Batteries & EV Components- Control over 70–80% of global lithium-ion battery production. Dominates refining of critical minerals (cobalt, lithium, graphite). Solar Panels- Over 80% of global solar panel supply is Chinese. Controls polysilicon processing and solar cell manufacturing. Electronics & Consumer Tech- iPhones, laptops, and TVs are assembled or partially produced in China. Shenzhen = world capital of hardware production. Steel, Cement, Construction Materials- World’s largest producer of steel & cement. Heavily subsidized industries outcompete foreign competitors. Textiles & Apparel- Still one of the top 3 exporters of fabrics, clothing, and fast fashion components. Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals- Key supplier of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Many generics and vitamins rely on China. Semiconductors (Assembly & Testing) Doesn’t lead in chip design, but dominates assembly, testing, and lower-end chip production. GLOBAL RESPONSES:- Who’s Doing What About China’s Dominance United States- CHIPS Act: $52B to boost U.S. semiconductor production. IRA (Inflation Reduction Act): Billions in clean energy & battery production. Tariffs & export bans: Restrictions on advanced chip exports to China. “Friendshoring”: Pushing allies to build supply chains in safer zones. India- “Make in India” campaign: Big incentives for electronics, chips, and auto. Attracting Apple, Samsung, and Foxconn for manufacturing shift. Strategic partnerships with U.S. for tech and defense supply chains. Vietnam- Becoming a major alternative in apparel, electronics. Samsung, Intel, and others now produce heavily there. Mexico- Rising as a nearshoring hub for the U.S. Especially strong in autos, electronics, and logistics proximity. Japan & South Korea- Japan is onshoring critical industries, especially semiconductors and pharma. Korea is expanding chip production globally (Samsung, SK Hynix) while also investing in allies. European Union- Launching “Net-Zero Industry Act” to scale solar, wind, and batteries. Considering tariffs on Chinese EVs. Focused on resilience, not full decoupling. Why It All Matters:- China’s rise was planned, strategic, and massive — and the world got hooked on cheap, fast production. Now, geopolitics + economic security are driving a major global shift. Countries are diversifying, investing at home, and building alliances to de-risk the future. By Jo Ikeji-Uju. sappertekinc@gmail.com https://afriprime.net/Ikeji *Share your comments positive or negative........