The Silent Revolution: How China is Shaping Tomorrow’s Technology Standards

If China writes the rulebook for the next generation of tech, how long before the West is left following its lead?

China is rewriting the global playbook for technology standards, shaping everything from 6G to AI and quantum computing. Traditionally, the U.S. and Europe led these efforts through industry collaboration. However, China’s state-directed strategy, driven by the Standards Administration of China (SAC) and firms like Huawei and Xiaomi, is shifting the balance of power.

With key standards already approved by international bodies like the ITU, China's influence extends to the global South, securing bilateral deals with nations such as Niger and Benin. This shift forces Western democracies to reconsider their reliance on market-driven standard-setting.

• China’s government-led strategy contrasts with the West’s private sector approach.
• Bilateral agreements help China lock markets into its preferred technical specifications.
• The U.S. and EU are now actively intervening to counter China's growing clout.

To lead in technology’s future, businesses and governments must embrace a more strategic, collaborative approach — or risk being spectators in the global standard-setting game. How should Western democracies adapt to ensure they remain leaders in shaping the technology that defines tomorrow?

Read the full article on The Economist.

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