Explosion in the East: Inside China’s Revolution in Electric and Autonomous Vehicles

At the Ride AI 2025 summit, experts on the Chinese AV ecosystem unpack how China has emerged as a global leader in autonomous mobility. From Baidu’s Apollo Go to startups like Pony AI, the discussion explores how government support, clear regulations, and rapid consumer adoption have fueled full-scale robotaxi deployment in cities like Beijing and Wuhan.With a projected $170B market by 2033, the panel dives into China’s unique approach to safety, commercialization, and rider experience—and what the rest of the world can learn from its accelerated progress.

-- Sophie Schmidt, Founder & Publisher, Rest of World

-- Helen K. Pan, General Manager, Apollo Autonomous Driving USA

-- Zion Maffeo, Deputy General Counsel, Pony.ai

-- Sophia Tung, Content Creator, SNN