Chinese President Xi Jinping urges push towards hi-tech independence
- Xi says self-reliance is essential because the country is ‘on the cusp of unprecedented changes’
- Comments come ahead of address to mark Shenzhen Special Economic Zone milestone
Without referring to the United States directly, Xi told staff at an advanced ceramic electronics manufacturer in Chaozhou in eastern Guangdong province on Monday that China must develop more key technologies on its own to be better prepared to withstand challenges ahead while also contributing to the development of China.
“We are on the cusp of unprecedented changes in this century, and we must take a path towards self-reliance, and this means we must become independent in our innovation drive,” Xi was quoted by state broadcaster CCTV as saying.
“[I urge you all] to appreciate the strategic intent of the central government, and pick your position correctly so you can make your contribution as we build our country into a strong, prosperous, and modernised country.”
The US-China trade war has put intense pressure on national industry leaders like Huawei Technologies and ByteDance.
China relies heavily on US-made semiconductors and in August, the administration of US President Donald Trump banned Huawei from using semiconductors built with American technology unless it received a special licence.