In a Riskier Era, China Bets on Technology to Resist U.S. Pressure

China recently announced a 7 percent increase in military spending and unveiled a comprehensive five-year plan aimed at reducing its military and industrial sectors' dependence on Western technology, marking a strategic response to what officials describe as an increasingly risky geopolitical environment amid mounting U.S. pressure. The announcement comes as Beijing seeks to bolster its technological sovereignty in critical areas where it currently relies on foreign components and expertise. Despite China's economy, particularly its tech sector, having evolved into a heavily commercialized enterprise, the new plan represents a significant shift toward state-directed innovation with clear national security implications. According to Scott Kennedy, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington and author of a new study on China's technological ambitions, these goals function as 'huge flashing lights that orient central bureaucrats, local officials, domestic companies, and multinationals on the country's priorities for the next five years.' The initiative reflects China's determination to achieve breakthroughs in semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other strategic technologies where the United States has traditionally maintained technological superiority.