There are still some gaps, but for the most part, China is way past the "clone and copy" these days. Knowledge has been assimilated and significant R&D efforts

There are still some gaps, but for the most part, China is way past the "clone and copy" these days. Knowledge has been assimilated and significant R&D efforts is being put in. If I look at Bambulalab, xTool or Makera, I see genuine designs, significant improvements in quality and price drops way beyond what cheaper labor can explain. And it's also visible in other spaces: think DJI drones or CATL batteries in cars. We use to see Japan in the same light by the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxYjsZr1PwM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxYjsZr1PwM