The State of Chinese Innovation and Industrial Policy in the Mid-2020s

This is an invitation-only event

China’s rise as an advanced technological, innovation, and industrial powerhouse is one of the most consequential developments of the 21st century and promises to reshape the global economic and technological order. China already leads global production in many industries, from steel and aluminum, to batteries, solar, electric vehicles, drones and 5G. China is also determined to win the future—its leaders are squarely focused on leading the world in emerging technologies like quantum computing and robotics. 

How much progress has China made in achieving its goals? How are its economic ambitions intertwined with its security goals? And how are countries responding?

This IGCC workshop brings together leading academic and policy experts to examine trends in China’s industrial strategy and their implications—for China and the world. Led by Barry Naughton, the Sokwanlok Chair of Chinese International Affairs at the School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego and one of the world’s most highly respected economists working on China, together with IGCC director Tai Ming Cheung, a professor at UC San Diego’s Global Policy and Strategy, sessions will feature in-depth discussions and include a demonstration of new databases designed to support research on China’s innovation ecosystem.

Interested in attending this event? Contact Marie Thiveos Stewart at: mthiveos@ucsd.edu.

SCHEDULE

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. SESSION 1
China’s Self-Reliance Goal: How Much Progress? | Barry Naughton & Zhuohan Fang (UC San Diego)
Was Made in China 2025 Successful? | Laura Gormley (Rhodium Group)
Discussant: Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau
Moderator: Tai Ming Cheung

10:45 – 11:00 Coffee and Tea Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. SESSION 2
The Securitization and Militarization of Chinese Innovation and Industrial Policy | Tai Ming Cheung (IGCC / UC San Diego)
Strategic Emerging Initiatives and Deep Tech in China’s Innovation System | Michael Laha (German Council on Foreign Relations)
Discussants: Jason Weinberg (Department of State) and Jennifer Hendrixson White (Center for a New American Security)
Moderator: Lei Guang (21st Century China Center) 

12:15 – 1:15 Lunch

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. SESSION 3
Strategic Science: Europe’s Dilemma in Engaging China on Quantum and Biotech | Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau (MERICS)
Discussant: Barry Naughton
Moderator: Tai Ming Cheung

2:30 – 2:45 Coffee and Tea Break

2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.  SESSION 4
Demonstration of Database on Chinese Science, Technology, Innovation, and Industrial Policy plans, strategies, and initiatives | Young Yang (UC San Diego) and IGCC data team
China’s S&T Plans as a Coordination System: A Topic Model Approach | Barry Naughton 

View presentation abstracts & speaker biographies