China’s Uneven High-Tech Drive: Implications for the United States

February 27, 2020

This report, with contributions from leading U.S. and Chinese experts, provides a dispassionate assessment of China’s high-tech drive and the implications for the United States and the global economy. The first section examines the overall trajectory of Chinese innovation. The second part takes an in-depth look at several prominent cases, including 5G, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles. Collectively, this analysis indicates a highly uneven record of performance, with substantial successes and major problems. The report’s final section suggests how, in light of these findings, the United States and China should address the challenges in technology innovation and their broader relationship.

This report is part of the CSIS China Innovation Policy Series (CIPS), which has been made possible by generous support from the General Electric Foundation, the Japan External Trade Organization, Medtronic, Microsoft, the Semiconductor Industry Association, SK Hynix, the Smith Richardson Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.