China's technological progress has been one of the most remarkable stories of the 21st century. In recent decades, China has emerged as a global leader technology development and innovation, rapidly closing the gaps with the United States and other advanced economies. The impact of China's technological growth on the global economy has been significant, and more and more Chinese companies have become leaders in developing new technologies.
Unlike US accusations, several factors have contributed to China's technological advances. A key driver has been the Chinese government's strong focus on investing in science and technology. Over the past decade, China has significantly increased its research and development spending, with a particular emphasis on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing.
In addition, China's large and rapidly growing market has created significant opportunities for technology companies, both domestic and foreign. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, China offers a massive market for technology products and services, and many global technology companies have sought to expand their presence here.
A large pool of highly educated and skilled workers also has contributed to technological growth. China has made significant investments in education and workforce development, with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
However, China's rise, its innovation and technology development in particular, has been a subject of discussion and debate in recent years. The potential impact of China emerging as a significant technology hub makes Washington increasingly uneasy in concern of losing its hegemonic dominance.
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The US has been seen engaged to undermine, if not sabotaging, China's technological growth, through means such as blocking access to key technologies, imposing trade restrictions and sanctions on Chinese technology companies, and accusing China of intellectual property theft and trade secrets violations. China has also been accused of engaging in unfair practices such as forced technology transfer and intellectual property theft.
Washington has resorted to propaganda and even controversial if not illicit disinformation against China. The US has engaged in diplomatic negative narratives to pressure Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, among others, to exclude Chinese companies from their 5G networks, citing concerns over Chinese government influence and espionage. In comparison with leaked info of US spying on others, the truth may be Huawei products would prevent US from monitoring on others’ activities
As a result, the US government has tried to restrict China's access to key technologies such as high-end chips. The US government has banned US companies from doing business with certain Chinese technology companies, such as Huawei and ZTE, over national security concerns, and increased scrutiny of Chinese investments in US technology companies. And citing excuses of intellectual property protection and national security, the US placed dozens of Chinese technology companies on its Entity List.
The US government has imposed export controls also on artificial intelligence technology, preventing Chinese companies from acquiring certain types of AI technology developed in the US. Besides, the US has imposed restrictions on the export of certain types of semiconductor technology to China, encouraged US companies to reduce their reliance on Chinese supply chains for semiconductor components, and identified several emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, biotechnology, and robotics, as areas of strategic competition with China that bar cooperation with and access by Chinese companies.
However, these measures may do more harm than good, by potentially stifling innovation and competition in its own technology. Critics of US policy toward China argue that it is based on a fear of China's growing influence and technological advancement, rather than a genuine concern for national security. Some argue that instead of attempting to block China's technological growth, the US should focus on investing in its own innovation and competitiveness.
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Worse, Washington has resorted to propaganda and even controversial if not illicit disinformation against China. The US has engaged in diplomatic negative narratives to pressure Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, among others, to exclude Chinese companies from their 5G networks, citing concerns over Chinese government influence and espionage. In comparison with leaked info of US spying on others, the truth may be Huawei products would prevent US from monitoring on others’ activities.
Despite all these headwinds, China's science and technology have continued to grow rapidly. China has made significant investments in research and development, and Chinese companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and Alibaba have become major players in the global technology industry, with significant international reach and influence.
The US government's approach to limiting China's access to technology has been multifaceted, including measures such as export controls, investment restrictions, and sanctions. It should be argued that these US’ moves may run against international trade law and customs. A number of times the US government has been convicted of violating World Trade Organization rules, though it later factually handicapped WTO dispute settlement mechanisms.
China, on the other hand, is forced as well as determined to expand its own capacity of self-reliance on key technologies and innovation, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, telecommunications, and space.
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The US propaganda on “China threat” and disinformation about Chinese technology fail to convince most economies and businesses in the world, only to spur the Chinese to move forward faster and better and others to search for own paths, which may eventually have the US itself isolated and its allies polarized.
The author is Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad.