The article discusses the significant salary gap between AI professionals in China and Silicon Valley, highlighting how Chinese tech companies are struggling to retain top talent. According to Wang Jian, founder of Alibaba Cloud, Chinese companies typically offer AI engineers salaries around 2 million yuan ($280,000) annually, while similar positions in Silicon Valley command $500,000 to $1 million. This disparity is causing a “talent drain” as skilled professionals seek higher-paying opportunities abroad. The article emphasizes that despite China’s ambitious goals in AI development and its large pool of engineering graduates, the country faces challenges in competing with American tech companies for top AI talent. Wang suggests that by 2025, Chinese tech salaries might catch up to about 70-80% of Silicon Valley levels, but currently, the gap remains substantial. The situation is particularly noteworthy given China’s push to become a global AI leader and its significant investments in the sector. The salary differential also reflects broader economic and market differences between the two regions, with Silicon Valley’s established tech ecosystem and higher cost of living contributing to higher compensation packages. The article concludes that this pay gap could potentially impact China’s ability to achieve its AI ambitions and maintain competitiveness in the global tech landscape.