The recent breakthrough of Chinese AI models, driven by exceptional cost-effectiveness, has sparked industry-wide discussion on the "going global" trend of Tokens (digital identifiers in the computing field). As model invocations surge, Token consumption is rising correspondingly, making the management of computing power costs a central industry issue. Consequently, Token "going global" has evolved from a niche concept into a hotly contested arena within the global AI industry.
At its core, Token "going global" represents a value transformation from "energy to computing power to intelligence"—converting electrical resources into computational capacity, which is then exported as intelligent services. This trend is not merely a competition based on cost advantages but a contest of technological prowess and comprehensive global capabilities. In my view, the rationale supporting Token "going global" can be broadly categorized into three aspects.
First, from an energy rationale, the cost competitiveness built upon advantages in computing power and electricity is the foundation for Token "going global." Essentially, Token "going global" is a form of digital trade that uses APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) as the vehicle to provide large language model inference services to the global market. Cost control directly determines market influence. Industry calculations indicate that electricity accounts for 60% to 70% of computing power costs, making power pricing a core factor in Token pricing.
Leveraging low-cost green energy from western regions, data centers with ultra-low PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness), and high utilization rates of computing power, China has established a globally leading green computing system. This system creates a significant cost gap compared to international competitors. This cost-effectiveness advantage is not solely a benefit of cheap power but the synergistic result of cost reductions across the entire chain—from energy supply and computing infrastructure to model optimization—combined with large-scale operations. This creates a difficult-to-replicate cost barrier, digitally monetizing energy endowments to provide high-value services for global developers.
Second, from an industrial rationale, the coordination across the entire industry chain is reshaping the global AI supply landscape. Token "going global" is a concentrated manifestation of the collaborative effort across China's AI industry chain, forming a closed loop from "green power to computing power to Token to global monetization." Upstream, green energy enterprises ensure stable power supply, while hardware manufacturers overcome technical bottlenecks in GPUs and AI computing clusters. Midstream, cross-border network companies build low-latency transmission channels to guarantee efficient global service delivery. Downstream, large model companies reach global developers through APIs, open-source ecosystems, and other means.
This industry-wide coordination has achieved three major breakthroughs: First, a closed loop of technological adaptation, where domestic models are fully compatible with domestic computing platforms, ensuring autonomy and control over computing power. Second, rapid ecosystem penetration, steadily building a global user base. Third, diverse scenario coverage, leveraging localized optimization capabilities to meet varied global demands. This mature industrial system is propelling Chinese AI to reshape the global supply landscape for intelligent services.
Finally, from a globalization rationale, Token "going global" presents both opportunities and challenges. To achieve sustainable long-term success, a solid foundation for global operations must be built. Although domestic models are advancing rapidly, they still face bottlenecks such as industry homogenization, testing companies' capabilities in global operations.
Currently, many domestic large models are beginning to raise prices, signaling that the global AI market is entering a demand-driven phase. A strategy relying solely on low prices cannot support long-term development. For Token "going global" to succeed, a long-term perspective must be maintained alongside a commitment to differentiated strategies, transforming temporary advantages into enduring competitive strength.
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