China's Focus on Economic Power and Unmanned Systems in Global Strategy

China's Economic Ambitions: Beyond Military Might

China's leadership is increasingly prioritizing economic power as a pathway to strategic dominance, not solely relying on military capabilities. By leveraging advancements from shipbuilding to semiconductors, and robotics to unmanned technology, Beijing aims to reshape the rules across the Indo-Pacific and the Global South.

In a discussion with Breaking Defense, Shihoko Goto, vice president of programs and director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, highlighted the importance of building a regional industrial base for unmanned systems. This base would enhance US strengths, rely on trust and consistent rules for co-production, and apply lessons learned from Ukraine's drone warfare to potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific.

Economic Vision and the Quest for Technological Supremacy

Goto explains how China's strategies, including their recent five-year plan and the earlier Made in China 2025 strategy, emphasize the country's intention to become a technology superpower. She notes, "All of that shipbuilding, ports, technology [is] geared toward [their] idea of how we propel China to become this big, dominant force." This involves setting global governance rules, not just serving as a production hub.

China's focus on a 'dual circulation strategy' aims to bolster its domestic economy against external forces such as sanctions while establishing its infrastructure, systems, and regulations as the dominant force, particularly in Africa and the Global South.

Regional Responses to China’s Technological Advancements

The implications of China's advancements in unmanned technology have sparked interest among its regional neighbors. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea view drone technology as essential for economic security and defense, especially as the technology has been actively tested and utilized in Ukraine.

While Chinese capabilities remain somewhat under wraps due to a lack of open conflict, countries in the region are enhancing their own unmanned technology capabilities. "You hear a lot about drone technology... we’re at the forefront of seeing how drone technology is being used in real time in Ukraine," notes Goto. South Korea's emerging role as a significant arms exporter and Japan's focus on integrating manufacturing with military capabilities highlight this trend.

Challenges in US-Asia Cooperation on Dual-Use Technologies

Goto outlines the importance of trust and stable regulatory environments to foster cooperation between the US, Japan, and South Korea on dual-use technologies. For example, Japan has introduced economic security legislation to align its corporate security clearances with US standards, facilitating greater collaboration between companies.

However, concerns over US economic policies, including tariffs and protectionist measures, pose challenges. Goto emphasizes that, "At the end, what you want as an investor, as a business, is predictability and for the rules to remain constant."

Innovation and Interoperability: The Path Forward

The emergence of non-traditional defense companies in the US, particularly in unmanned systems, contrasts with Japan and South Korea, where traditional companies like Mitsubishi Heavy lead innovation. The synergy between dynamic US startups and the stable development cultures of Japan and Korea could drive future advancements.

In establishing a regional drone industrial base, collaboration with the US remains crucial. The consensus is that drone technology will play an integral role in future warfare, and there is a need for greater efficiency and interoperability between countries. The experiences in Ukraine offer valuable lessons that could inform strategies related to potential conflicts involving Taiwan or North Korea.

Building a Future-Ready Workforce

A critical aspect of advancing technology in the region is workforce development. The cross-pollination of talent and skills across borders is essential for the growth of advanced technology industries such as semiconductors, robotics, and drone technology.

The collaboration among nations, including efforts from NATO and joint exercises, underscores the importance of shared knowledge and resources in building a resilient and competitive economic front to counter China's rise.