Meituan has successfully trained a massive 1.6 trillion parameter AI model, LongCat-2.0, using only Chinese-made chips, demonstrating the country’s ability to develop competitive AI technology without relying on Western hardware. The model has shown impressive results on some benchmarks, outperforming leading Western models, but falls short on others. This achievement is significant as it showcases China’s progress in developing domestic AI capabilities despite US export controls. Why it matters: this breakthrough underscores China’s growing independence in the AI sector and its potential to challenge Western dominance in the field.