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On Tue, 11 Mar, 8:05 AM UTC
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[1]
What slowdown? Xi says China must win the global tech race
Xi Jinping reiterated his vision for China to become a technological superpower, undeterred by economic challenges or geopolitical tensions. During the National People's Congress, he emphasized advancing in areas like AI, biotechnology, and military capabilities. This aligns with increased budget allocations for science, education, and defense, aiming for self-sufficiency and global leadership.Throughout China's annual legislative meeting, the national leader Xi Jinping made clear that he wants nothing to hold back his plans for China to march past its rivals by becoming a technological superpower. Not the economic slowdown or heavy local government debt, nor a trade war with the United States. The meeting in Beijing, called the National People's Congress, was once a stage for Communist Party leaders to make a show of public consultation. Congress delegates, although handpicked by the party, sometimes chided officials over problems like pollution. There were even rare flashes of discord among senior officials. Xi, though, has turned the meeting into a meticulously orchestrated, weeklong salute to himself and his vision. This time, he urged China to forge ahead in advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and new weapons. "Xi has seen how decades of investment into science by the U.S. government after World War II was a knockout success for the United States, and wants to replicate that," said Jimmy Goodrich, who studies China's science policies as a senior adviser at RAND, an organization that provides analysis to the U.S. government and other clients. "He believes strongly that only by being more self-sufficient and a global leader in science can China achieve success in upgrading its economy, boosting its military capabilities and achieving world-leader status," Goodrich said. Xi's implicit message is that other efforts, such as restoring the confidence of China's private entrepreneurs, must align with that bigger national goal. The annual congress allows Xi to give his priorities the gloss of public approval. Dissenting votes from the nearly 3,000 delegates have become exceedingly rare. Xi's agenda told the story. On the first day of the congress, Xi met with delegates from Jiangsu province -- an industrial powerhouse -- and told them to "seize on scientific and technological innovation." The delegates were shown on state television diligently writing down his comments. On the second day, Xi heard reports from scientists and education officials and emphasized the role of education in building China into a "science and technology great power." On the third day, Xi put on his green military uniform to meet members of the People's Liberation Army. He demanded that China's military become more efficient in implementing modernization plans, rooting out graft, and also more nimble in applying advanced technologies to "accelerate the development of qualitatively new combat capabilities." The public summary of his comments gave no details, but China's military has been working on next-generation jet fighters, unmanned drones, new submarines and other weapons. Xi's priorities were also reflected in China's annual budget, which projects that government spending on science and technology will rise by 8.3% this year, on education by 6.1% and on the military by 7.2%. The government set more modest increases of around 5% in spending on health care and social welfare. The Chinese government's science and technology budget this year is equal to about $172 billion, second to the United States. But government cuts under Trump could narrow the U.S. lead. Including investment from businesses, the United States spent $806 billion on research and development in 2021, compared with $668 billion in China, according to an estimate last year from the U.S. National Science Foundation. "Over the past six or seven years of U.S.-China strategic competition, the two most important issues have been geopolitics and technology," said Wang Hsin-hsien, a professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei who studies Chinese politics. "In China they probably see that there may be a little less pressure on them geopolitically, but there won't be any easing up from Trump on the technology front." Some critics have argued that Xi's bet on futuristic goals comes at the cost of providing help to Chinese citizens struggling to make ends meet. The economy is still sagging under a steep fall in housing prices. The number of retirees is growing and the birthrate has slumped. Yet Xi appears insistent that China can overcome its problems by tilting spending to technological projects and upgrading industry. Xi has not indicated a willingness to rein in China's export drive after Trump imposed additional tariffs on goods from China. Nor does Xi seem worried about any threats to his political dominance. After more than 12 years in power, he has given no sign of choosing a successor. The retired leaders who may once have hemmed in his power have mostly passed away. He has never slackened his tight grip on the key levers of power, such as the Ministry of State Security, said Jonathan Czin, a researcher at the Brookings Institution who formerly worked in the Central Intelligence Agency and studies Chinese politics. "So far, I see zero evidence of meaningful cracks in Xi's control. Who at this point in Xi's tenure would have the temerity to challenge Xi?" Czin said. "He wields the anti-corruption apparatus like a cudgel, ready to bludgeon any potential opponent."
[2]
What Slowdown? Xi Says China Must Win the Global Tech Race.
Xi Jinping wants China to surpass rivals as a tech superpower, undeterred by economic woes or trade wars. Critics ask if this focus neglects struggling citizens. Throughout China's annual legislative meeting, the national leader Xi Jinping made clear that he wants nothing to hold back his plans for China to march past its rivals by becoming a technological superpower. Not the economic slowdown or heavy local government debt, nor a trade war with the United States. The meeting in Beijing, called the National People's Congress, was once a stage for Communist Party leaders to make a show of public consultation. Congress delegates, although handpicked by the party, sometimes chided officials over problems like pollution. There were even rare flashes of discord among senior officials. Mr. Xi, though, has turned the meeting into a meticulously orchestrated, weeklong salute to himself and his vision. This time, he urged China to forge ahead in advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and new weapons. "Xi has seen how decades of investment into science by the U.S. government after World War II was a knockout success for the United States, and wants to replicate that," said Jimmy Goodrich, who studies China's science policies as a senior adviser at RAND, an organization that provides analysis to the U.S. government and other clients. "He believes strongly that only by being more self-sufficient and a global leader in science can China achieve success in upgrading its economy, boosting its military capabilities and achieving world-leader status," Mr. Goodrich said. Mr. Xi's implicit message is that other efforts, such as restoring the confidence of China's private entrepreneurs, must align with that bigger national goal. The annual congress allows Mr. Xi to give his priorities the gloss of public approval. Dissenting votes from the nearly 3,000 delegates have become exceedingly rare. Mr. Xi's agenda told the story. On the first day of the congress, Mr. Xi met with delegates from Jiangsu Province -- an industrial powerhouse -- and told them to "seize on scientific and technological innovation." The delegates were shown on state television diligently writing down his comments. On the second day, Mr. Xi heard reports from scientists and education officials and emphasized the role of education in building China into a "science and technology great power." On the third day, Mr. Xi put on his green military uniform to meet members of the People's Liberation Army. He demanded that China's military become more efficient in implementing modernization plans, rooting out graft, and also more nimble in applying advanced technologies to "accelerate the development of qualitatively new combat capabilities." The public summary of his comments gave no details, but China's military has been working on next-generation jet fighters, unmanned drones, new submarines and other weapons. Mr. Xi's priorities were also reflected in China's annual budget, which projects that government spending on science and technology will rise by 8.3 percent this year, on education by 6.1 percent and on the military by 7.2 percent. The government set more modest increases of around 5 percent in spending on health care and social welfare. The Chinese government's science and technology budget this year is equal to about $172 billion, second to the United States. But government cuts under Mr. Trump could narrow the U.S. lead. Including investment from businesses, the United States spent $806 billion on research and development in 2021, compared to $668 billion in China, according to an estimate last year from the U.S. National Science Foundation. "Over the past six or seven years of U.S.-China strategic competition, the two most important issues have been geopolitics and technology," said Wang Hsin-hsien, a professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei who studies Chinese politics. "In China they probably see that there may be a little less pressure on them geopolitically, but there won't be any easing up from Trump on the technology front." Some critics have argued that Mr. Xi's bet on futuristic goals comes at the cost of providing help to Chinese citizens struggling to make ends meet. The economy is still sagging under a steep fall in housing prices. The number of retirees is growing and the birthrate has slumped. Yet Mr. Xi appears insistent that China can overcome its problems by tilting spending to technological projects and upgrading industry. So far, Mr. Xi has not indicated a willingness to rein in China's export drive after Mr. Trump imposed additional tariffs on goods from China. Nor does Mr. Xi seem worried about any threats to his political dominance. After more than 12 years in power, he has given no sign of choosing a successor. The retired leaders who may once have hemmed in his power have mostly passed away. He has never slackened his tight grip on the key levers of power, such as the Ministry of State Security, said Jonathan Czin, a researcher at the Brookings Institution who formerly worked in the Central Intelligence Agency and studies Chinese politics. "So far, I see zero evidence of meaningful cracks in Xi's control. Who at this point in Xi's tenure would have the temerity to challenge Xi?" Mr. Czin said. "He wields the anti-corruption apparatus like a cudgel, ready to bludgeon any potential opponent."
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Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes technological advancement as a national priority during the annual National People's Congress, despite economic slowdown and international tensions.
At the recent National People's Congress in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his commitment to transforming China into a global technological superpower. Despite economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, Xi's message was clear: China must forge ahead in advanced technologies to secure its position on the world stage 1.
Xi emphasized the need for China to advance in key areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and military capabilities. This push for technological dominance is seen as crucial for upgrading the economy, enhancing military prowess, and achieving world-leader status 2.
The government's commitment to this vision is evident in the annual budget allocations:
These figures outpace the more modest 5% increases in healthcare and social welfare spending 12.
China's science and technology budget for the year stands at approximately $172 billion, second only to the United States. However, when including private sector investments, the U.S. still leads with $806 billion spent on R&D in 2021, compared to China's $668 billion 2.
Xi's agenda includes a strong focus on military advancement. He has called for the People's Liberation Army to become more efficient in implementing modernization plans and applying advanced technologies to develop new combat capabilities 12.
Critics argue that Xi's focus on futuristic goals may come at the expense of addressing immediate economic challenges:
Despite these concerns, Xi appears confident that technological advancement and industrial upgrading can overcome these issues 2.
Xi's grip on power remains firm, with no signs of choosing a successor after more than 12 years in office. The annual congress has become a carefully orchestrated event to showcase Xi's vision and priorities 12.
In terms of international relations, Xi has not indicated any willingness to reduce China's export drive, despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States 2.
As China continues its pursuit of technological supremacy, the global landscape of innovation and economic power may shift. The coming years will likely see intensified competition between China and other tech-leading nations, particularly the United States, as both countries strive for dominance in cutting-edge technologies and scientific research.
Reference
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