CSIS Chinese Business & Economics

What does the future hold for U.S.-China technological competition? In a major new CSIS report, our experts argue that the key is technological dexterity—the ability to build strengths across different technology types, where advantages in one domain compound advantages in others. Explore our comparative analyses of technology and innovation ecosystems of the United States, China, and U.S. allies in 'TechEdge'. Read the full report here: csis.org/analysis/tech-…

@KennedyCSIS on what the war in the Middle East means for U.S.-China relations on @Marketplace: The U.S. is quite unhappy with the state of the relationship, but it overplayed its hand in the last year. It imposed these really steep tariffs, and China called the U.S.’ bluff, and it won. The U.S. backed down. And so we're left talking about very specific kinds of things, which could give the appearance of a win for the U.S, but we're negotiating, really, on China's side of the court. Listen here: marketplace.org/story/2026/03/…

With inefficient competition driving deflationary pressures in China, central and local government policies in China are increasingly seeking to combat involution. Revisit this episode of the China Field Notes Podcast with @KennedyCSIS and Chinese economist Yao Yang, as they discuss the sources of China’s growth, the challenge of tackling involution, the state of U.S.-China relations, and more. Listen here: csis.org/podcasts/china…

Enjoyed talking today with ⁦@Marketplace⁩ about the postponement of Trump’s trip to Beijing. marketplace.org/story/2026/03/…

Despite ongoing concerns about economic stagnation, the 15th Five-Year Plan still closely ties technological innovation and development to China’s economic development goals. Revisit this article by @KennedyCSIS on how China’s tech obsession is holding back its economic development. Read more here: foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/chi…

A group of mostly private Chinese firms are driving solar innovation, accounting for over 75 percent of China's total patent applications in the sector. Market volatility has led to intense competition among these firms reshaping the competitive landscape in the industry. Learn more in a new brief from Michael Davidson and Sandy Qian: csis.org/analysis/china…

Watch the most recent iteration of our China Pulse video series where Michael Davidson and @Mazzocco_Ilaria break down the what the upheaval in China's solar industry means for the rest of the world. Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=4kfc8L… And read the brief here: csis.org/analysis/china…

"China was initially a follower when first-generation solar technologies emerged...China’s innovation cycles [now] far outpace the rest of the global solar sector, rapidly advancing across first-generation sub-technologies—and the pace of turnover continues to accelerate." China's solar industry is undergoing a period of intense upheaval that is likely to forge a more resilient industry. Read more in a new brief from Michael Davidson and Sandy Qian: csis.org/analysis/china…

🚨 The CSIS Trustee Chair is offering research internship opportunities for Summer 2026! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about China's economic trajectory, industrial policy, and U.S.-China relations. We are #hiring part-time paid Research Interns to support our program's analysis. To apply, visit the link here: careers.csis.org/opportunities/… How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter, writing sample, academic transcript, and a list of 3 references in one PDF. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Chinese regulators are fighting "involution" in the solar industry. But what does this mean for international competitors? Will this provide them with new breathing space or is Chinese dominance only deepening? Find out by reading the new brief by Michael Davidson and Sandy Qian: csis.org/analysis/china…

@KennedyCSIS in the New Republic: “Beijing began in 2024 quite concerned that Trump would be difficult to manage because of his unpredictability and willingness to take huge risks...Over the last year, they figured out how to manage him and believe they have the upper hand.” Read here: newrepublic.com/article/207218…

What are the lessons from China’s industrial policy experience? In our latest blog, @AntoTintore explains how China’s EV triumphs and aviation struggles reveal the limits of industrial policy. Read more here: csis.org/blogs/trustee-…

@wstv_lizzi: "China's innovation story is not just about subsidies, not just about throwing money, it's also about diffusion capacity, scale, manufacturing and infrastructure support." Click below and listen to her and other experts' take on the new 'Power of Innovation' report by Scott Kennedy. Watch the launch event here: csis.org/events/chinas-… Read the full report here: csis.org/analysis/power…

Catch @Mazzocco_Ilaria on Trivium China's podcast where she discusses all the latest in EVs and how countries around the world are navigating China's rise as a juggernaut in the industry. Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6Nyxgi…

Are China's leaders refining a successful strategy or just trudging along? Don't miss the latest iteration of our China Pulse video series where @KennedyCSIS shares his initial takeaways from China's annual legislative session. Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=FJKzkt…

@KennedyCSIS: "There are a lot of risks that need to be mitigated but reducing connectivity with China can also backfire. That is why this report proposes the idea of 'calibrated coupling.'" Read the full Power of Innovation report here: csis.org/analysis/power… And watch the launch event here: youtube.com/watch?v=X4Jae6…

In our new 'Power of Innovation' report, @KennedyCSIS describes China's industrial policy efforts in advanced semiconductors as a 'disruptive failure.' @pstAsiatech provided some context at the publication's launch event: "Beijing is trying to redesign and rebuild the entire semiconductor ecosystem in China. No country has ever tried to do this. Chinese companies are under a lot of pressure to do more domestically." Listen to more expert takes here: csis.org/events/chinas-…

Need analysis now? Listen to @KennedyCSIS break down the takeaways from his new report, The Power of Innovation: The Strategic Value of China’s High-Tech Drive in a new audio brief from CSIS. Listen here: csis.org/podcasts/audio… And read the full report here: csis.org/analysis/power…

OUT NOW: @RyanFeath looks at China's changing IP landscape in a new Trustee China Hand Blog as part of a series building on the new Power of Innovation Report. Read the blog here: csis.org/blogs/trustee-… Read the full report here: csis.org/analysis/power…

@kyleichan at our recent launch event for the Power of Innovation report: "China has failed the most when it blocks out the rest of the world and tries to go it alone. It has succeeded in many cases where it has tried to learn from global industry leaders." Follow the link for more expert reactions to our new publication: csis.org/events/chinas-… And click here for the full report: csis.org/analysis/power…

See the latest @CSISCBE "China Pulse" video: China’s Tech Performance & Its International Power: A Primer," which explains the big Q's on China tech - "Can China innovate?" and "How does China's tech capabilities translate into its int'l power?" youtu.be/KP8Q2WmfS9c?si…