Xi Jinping's Strategy: Becoming 'America with Manufacturing'

In Beijing, President Xi Jinping is meticulously crafting a vision for China's future, one defined by robust national strength and modernization. His ambitious goal, encapsulated in the 'Chinese-style modernization' initiative set for completion by 2035, is to essentially 'become America with manufacturing.' This strategy represents a significant departure from the traditional economic model that emphasizes a shift from manufacturing to services in developed nations.

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Advanced manufacturing is the backbone of an advanced industrial system, and we will ensure that manufacturing maintains a reasonable proportion of the GDP.

Xi's administration views the manufacturing sector not as a relic of the past, but as the very foundation of an advanced industrial system. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) explicitly states that "advanced manufacturing is the backbone of an advanced industrial system" and aims to ensure that manufacturing maintains a "reasonable proportion" of the GDP. This focus extends to strategic industries, where China aims to transition from a follower to a leader in areas such as new energy vehicles, new materials, robotics, and biotechnology. The nation is channeling substantial investment into these cutting-edge fields, signaling a clear intent to dominate the global technological landscape.

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We must use a 'new national system' and 'extraordinary policy measures' to overcome challenges in areas like semiconductor technology.

Furthermore, China's strategy is deeply intertwined with national security. Recognizing the vulnerabilities exposed by trade wars and technological export controls, Beijing is prioritizing supply chain consolidation and technological self-reliance. The concept of a "new national system" and "extraordinary policy measures" are being employed to overcome challenges in critical areas like semiconductor technology. This drive for self-sufficiency is amplified by a growing confidence in the 'China model,' particularly in light of global events that have highlighted the risks of over-reliance on Western economies.

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Our country has become one of the economies with the fastest-rising innovation capabilities.

From a Chinese perspective, this relentless pursuit of manufacturing dominance is not merely an economic strategy but a geopolitical imperative. The article highlights how recent global events, including potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, have led many Chinese to re-evaluate Xi's emphasis on self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on the U.S. As the world grapples with energy security concerns and explores alternatives to fossil fuels, China's leading role in renewable energy technologies—solar, wind, and batteries—positions it as an indispensable global supplier. This shift underscores a burgeoning challenge to the U.S.-led "oil-dollar-military alliance" system, with China's "electricity era" vision gaining traction.

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The true implication of this war is the competition between America's 'oil age' vision and China's 'electricity age' vision, and China's system based on self-sufficient electricity is challenging America's world operating system based on 'oil-dollar-military alliance'.