China Reorganizing Science and Tech Ministry for Self-Sufficiency

Bill Drexel, a fellow in the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, told VOA Mandarin via email on March 10 that while the U.S. export restrictions “create stronger market incentives for Chinese companies to make progress in critical areas … on the whole, I think the measures the U.S. is using will make self-reliance for China very difficult for the next few years — let alone any decisive advantage.”

“I think it will be effective for the next few years,” said Drexel, “but only in areas with real chokepoints in which the U.S. has an advantage. There are also a number of sensitive technology sectors where China has a lead, including some chokepoints of its own, such as rare earth metals. … So, I think it is still too early to tell how the strategy plays out, especially depending on if and how China responds in kind. We’ll have to see.”

Read the full story and more from Voice of America.