Both, in the sense that it was absolutely inevitable (and predicted 20 years past in various looking forward forums), and that China made an informed high level plan to be first on the ground to make things happen in their favour.

Is it smart or stupid business to lose money upfront (subsidise) to establish and secure a market for years to follow?

Closely followed by, is China deeply sinister and evil for having long term plans and seeing them through, or are some simply upset to see China getting there first and doing it better?

It's inevitable, but China accelerated it (as did a few others). And solar isn't alone. Any professor in physics will say that EVs, heat pumps and LEDs are all inevitable.

Probably both. Sunlight is all around us. Once the tech became good enough, it just needed growth capital and strategic willpower.

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