In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Mr. Ryan Fedasiuk joins us to discuss the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) efforts to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Mr. Fedasiuk explains the findings of his new report, which analyzes critical AI defense industry suppliers to the PLA and the implications for China’s ability to compete with the US on AI defense technology. Mr. Fedasiuk says AI technology will be central to the PLA’s goal of becoming a “world-class” military force and for preparing the PLA for “intelligentized” warfare. In addition, Mr. Fedasiuk argues that through AI technology, the PLA has the potential to compensate for areas where it has historically been vulnerable, such as undersea warfare. He also discusses PLA’s procurement of different AI technologies, including intelligent autonomous vehicles. Lastly, he explains that only a small portion of identified AI suppliers to the PLA are subject to US export controls or sanctions regimes, and he analyzes the corresponding policy implications for the United States.
Keyword:innovation
China’s Tech Crackdown: A Conversation with Adam Segal
In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Adam Segal joins us to examine Beijing’s ongoing crackdown on China’s technology sector. Dr. Segal argues that company blacklists from the Trump administration served as a driver for Chinese technological decoupling and caused an increasing domestic focus within China on data collection and security. He explains how China’s new phase of technology crackdowns closely aligns with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) goals on antitrust regulation, social inequality, innovation, cybersecurity, and political stability, and states that new regulations are a means of exerting party control. Dr. Segal then discusses the new competitive landscape between Chinese state regulators and how such a landscape may impact domestic innovation. Lastly, Dr. Segal explores what these new regulations mean for US-China technology exchange and how these new dynamics will shape the future of the Chinese technology sector.
The Best of ChinaPower: Xi Jinping’s Military-Civil Fusion Project: A Conversation with Greg Levesque
This special “best of ChinaPower” episode explores China’s efforts to integrate its military and civilian sectors to support its military development and broader national security agenda. Our guest, Mr. Greg Levesque, discusses how Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) fits into China’s grand strategy and evaluates how effectively it has implemented the program to date. Levesque also weighs the risks and rewards of MCF in Beijing’s strategic calculus and offers a path for how the US and its allies can respond to the growing nexus between military and civil development in China.
China’s Power: Up for Debate 2020: Debate 5
This special episode features audio from the China Power Project’s fifth annual conference, which comprises five live online debates. It features keynote remarks by Representative Rick Larsen on the challenges and opportunities posed by China’s growing power and the view from Congress. Experts also debate whether selective US-China economic decoupling will set back China’s emergence as a global high-tech leader.
Unveiling China’s Digital Currency Goals: A Conversation with Kevin Desouza
In this episode, Dr. Kevin Desouza joins us to discuss China’s plans to create a national digital currency. Dr. Desouza explains Beijing’s underlying motivations for developing its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and how it aligns with China’s broader goal to become a leader in technology and innovation. He highlights the key benefits of using digital currencies and the possible effects on the Chinese economy, as well as discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on the roll-out of a CBDC in China.
Xi Jinping’s Military-Civil Fusion Project: A Conversation with Greg Levesque
In this episode, Greg Levesque joins us to discuss China’s Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) program. Mr. Levesque explains the central role of MCF in the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy to make China a world-class military power by 2049, and details the steps Beijing has taken thus far in integrating the military and civil sectors. He also highlights some of the challenges that China faces in its efforts to implement MCF. Finally, Mr. Levesque describes how MCF may pose a threat to US interests and offers recommendations for how the US and its allies can effectively respond.
China’s Civilian Space Program: A Conversation with Alanna Krolikowski
In this episode, Dr. Alanna Krolikowski joins us to discuss China’s civilian and commercial space efforts in recent years. Dr. Krolikowski analyzes the achievements of China’s private space companies, such as the first Chinese private satellite launch, and the possible economic benefits that can be derived from space activities. She also examines the relationship between the government, state-owned enterprises, and private companies in China’s space industry, and how recent changes to government policy will impact China’s broader push into space.
China’s Emerging New-Energy Vehicle Industry: A Conversation with Scott Kennedy
In this episode, Dr. Scott Kennedy joins us to discuss the new-energy vehicle (NEV) industry in China and the challenges it faces domestically and from abroad. Dr. Kennedy presents the key findings from his recent report entitled “China’s Risky Drive into New-Energy Vehicles” and assesses the environmental impact of NEVs. He also discusses the capabilities and vulnerabilities of this emerging industry in China.