Many Western AI companies have moved towards increasingly ‘closed’ AI systems. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called for further restrictions on Chinese AI firms over alleged intellectual property theft and access to restricted Nvidia chips. At the same time, the rise of Chinese AI highlights a different approach to development. Chinese AI models have also found a receptive audience in developed economies despite the political controversy surrounding them. Whether for cost, performance, or resilience, Chinese AI is proving capable of competing in areas once dominated by American and European firms.