Han Wenxiu signals shift in perception of China-US tech competition

Beijing is projecting a whole new level of confidence in China's innovation capacity.

On March 22, Han Wenxiu, the senior official overseeing day-to-day operations at the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA) – the Party’s top economic policymaking body – told the China Development Forum that China’s innovation capacity has reached escape velocity (Xinhua):

• “After years of effort, China’s indigenous innovation capacity has passed a critical inflection point, making it difficult for external forces to derail our development.”

That's a big change in framing. As recently as 2023, Xi Jinping warned, on separate occasions, that:

• US-led technology restrictions posed “unprecedented severe challenges” to China’s development
• Stifling China's technological progress amounts to containing China's high-quality development

Han’s remarks follow a broader uptick in official messaging highlighting progress in overcoming foreign technology chokepoints.

• On March 5, Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun stated that China had made “new breakthroughs” in core chip technologies – though provided no details (Caixin).

Get smart: Greater confidence in domestic innovation could harden Beijing’s stance in technological competition with the West.

• If officials believe China is more resilient, they may become less cautious when responding to future trade or tech frictions – and more comfortable with using their own.