Ten years ago, in 2015, China introduced the plan “Made in China 2025” (MIC25), an ambitious industrial strategy to transform its manufacturing base and increase as a world leader in high technology – taking the model German industry 4.0 as a reference. Mic25 not only targeted technological self-sufficiency in sectors such as robotics, semiconductors and electric vehicles, but has also become a point of controversy and realignment in international relations. Over the past decade, the plan has redefined global competitiveness, triggered commercial and pushed war from other countries to reformulate their technological and economic policies. With companies such as Huawei, Byd and Dji, China has marked its presence, but was faced with significant challenges in the United States and the European Union, which responded to measures to protect their industries and thwart the ‘Technological ancestry of China.
While MIC25 has enabled China to move forward in renewable energies and electric vehicles technologies, establishing itself as a leader, restricted access to advanced technologies, in particular in semiconductors, shows geopolitical constraints. The expansion of 5G infrastructure by Huawei and ZTE increased tensions with the West, leading to commercial restrictions and strategic alliances such as “the Chip 4” alliance to reduce the technological dependence of China. Robotics and artificial intelligence, growing, reveal the need for international collaboration to overcome technological barriers. In the electric vehicle sector, the success of Byd and Nio has led to global competition for the necessary resources, affecting the dynamics of international trade.
Mic25 had a deep impact on international relations, especially in technological diplomacy. China has used this initiative to extend its global influence, offering technology and infrastructure thanks to the Belt and Road initiative. In doing so, he has strengthened economic and political ties with many countries, but not without raising concerns. Many beneficiary countries have expressed concerns about a possible technological dependence, which could compromise their sovereignty in the strategic sectors.
Faced with this expansion, the American response was energetic. Measures such as the flea law, the Clean Network Initiative and various investment restrictions have sought to limit Chinese technological progress. These actions have intensified competition between the two powers and have reconfigured the world alliances, Consolidate technological blocks and exacerbate economic and political tensions. The European Union, on the other hand, has adopted a more balanced strategy. With its European industrial strategy, it seeks to strengthen its competitiveness without completely breaking with China. However, he faces the challenge of seizing opportunities on the Chinese market while protecting its strategic industries and values.
In developing countries, MIC25 has had mixed effects. It has facilitated access to advanced technologies at lower costs, promoting the modernization of several savings. However, he also generated new forms of dependence, which could limit the technological autonomy of these nations in the long term. A sector where these dynamics have manifested themselves with a particular intensity is the semiconductor industry, which has become a geopolitical battlefield. The sanctions and restrictions imposed by the United States affected not only China, but also world supply chains, stressing the strategic importance of these components in the world economy.
In this context, other nations have developed their own strategies to ensure their competitiveness. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have implemented policies aimed at protecting and strengthening their semiconductor industries, which has intensified global competition. However, China’s challenges do not only come from abroad. Internally, the country faces the need to build an innovation ecosystem capable of competing with the main technological centers in the world. At the same time, the restrictions imposed by the United States limited its access to key components, forcing Beijing to accelerate its autonomous technological development.
Within China, the implementation of MIC25 was not uniform. Regions such as Jiangsu and Guangdong have made significant progress, consolidating as key technological poles, while other provinces have been faced with greater difficulties due to differences in infrastructure, investment and human capital . This disparity has generated an internal dynamic of competition and collaboration between different regions, which in turn influences the formulation of economic and technological policies at the national level.
Interprotrovincial competition to achieve the MIC25 objectives has motivated innovation and regional specialization, but has also revealed structural challenges. Some provinces have succeeded in attracting foreign investments and developing stronger technological ecosystems, while others depend more on state support. This reality affects not only the internal cohesion of China, but also has implications for its external strategy. The need to guarantee a balanced development between its regions has led the government to adjust its industrial policies, strengthening both investments in research and development and protection of its inner industry against external pressures. In this context, MIC25 has accelerated the transformation of China into technological power, but it also exposed the country’s vulnerabilities to the constraints imposed by its rivals. Global competition for the leadership of innovation continues to intensify, and the success of this initiative will depend on the capacity of China to sail in the obstacles imposed by the international environment and to consolidate a truly autonomous high -tech industry .
Considering if China has achieved its objectives with “Made in China 2025” – the answer leans towards success, China reaching around 70 to 80% of its objectives, marking an important achievement in areas such as electric vehicles and renewable energies. However, the continuation of technological self-sufficiency, especially in semiconductors, was hampered by the international opposition. This The quasi-subsidians has transformed world trade, technological policies and international relations. He triggered innovation and friction. Now, with Donald Trump as an American president, the future of these dynamics becomes even more uncertain. Trump policies, in particular its approach to trade and technology with China, could either intensify tensions or lead to unexpected negotiations – and the world will have to monitor this new political landscape to see what the future reserves for Technological ambitions of China and the world order.
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