Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform economies, reshape societies, and redefine what it means to be a global power. China’s pursuit of AI advancement poses a challenge to U.S. interests. An analysis of China’s AI goals, motivations, and capabilities shows that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has prioritized AI as a crucial area of technological innovation and seeks to overtake and compete with the U.S. in this field. China aims to lead the world in AI innovation by 2030 by leveraging its extensive system of military-civil fusion.
This commitment has been recently reaffirmed at the highest levels of government. During the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress on March 5, 2024, Chinese Premier Li Qiang introduced the new AI Plus initiative, emphasizing the development of “new quality productive forces at a faster pace” with a focus on science and technology innovation and industrial system modernization.1 In a June 2024 speech at a major Chinese science and technology (S&T) conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping reemphasized the strategic importance of AI. Xi also stated that China must “accelerate S&T innovation in new-generation information technology, AI, quantum technology, biotechnology, new energy, new materials, and other fields, and cultivate and develop emerging industries and future industries.”...