China’s technological drive is no longer an economic project; it is a national security mandate. Reading Beijing’s latest ambitions as mere “digitalisation” or industrial “upgradation” fundamentally misinterprets the emerging architecture of Chinese power. In Beijing’s strategic calculus, technology is increasingly becoming the foundation through which national security, military capability, and State power are organised. China is steadily consolidating into what can best be described as a “tech-security State”. The 2026 Government Work Report (GWR) offers a clear signal of this shift. The report suggests that Chinese policymakers no longer treat development and security as separate policy tracks. Instead, technological capability is increasingly viewed as a critical instrument for reducing strategic vulnerabilities and strengthening national resilience.

Chinese leaders have repeatedly emphasised the need to “seize the commanding heights” of emerging technologies. This ambition is increasingly embedded in the country’s policy framework. The projects highlighted in the GWR reflect a systematic push into areas such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing. The objective is not only to boost growth but also to insulate China from........

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