Tai Ming Cheung (2022), Innovate to Dominate: The Rise of the Chinese Techno-Security State, Cornell University Press.
Manoj Karki
Tai Ming Cheung, a prominent scholar of Chinese security and technology policies, is the author of Innovate to Dominate. He is a professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the director of the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation. Among the areas of his research focus include China’s efforts to become a world-class science and technology power, and the relationship between geo-economics, innovation, and national security. Cheung is a long-time analyst of Chinese and East Asian defense and national security affairs, especially defense economic, industrial and science, and technological issues. His academic background and extensive research on Chinese innovation and defense systems give this book an authoritative voice, especially regarding China’s rise as a global power.
The book fits into several theoretical frameworks, with a particular focus on the concept of the techno-security state, a term Cheung uses to describe a state where innovation and security are tightly intertwined. He draws heavily on the theories of statism, military-civil fusion, and innovation-driven development. Cheung’s analysis emphasizes how China under Xi Jinping has increasingly shifted from a defensive stance to an offensive techno-security posture. This transformation, he argues, is driven by the need to maintain economic growth, strengthen military power, and secure technological self-sufficiency.
Cheung introduces the Selective Authoritarian Mobilization and Innovation (SAMI) model, which explores how authoritarian regimes like China can selectively mobilize resources for technological innovation while maintaining tight control over their economies and political systems. This model, combined with the concept of military-civil fusion (MCF), shows how China has integrated civilian industries with its military capabilities, enabling rapid technological advancements and reinforcing national security.
The book also draws from the developmental state theory, where the state plays an active role in directing economic development, often through top-down, centralized planning. Cheung juxtaposes this against anti-statist systems, particularly in the U.S., where the market plays a more dominant role in innovation. This comparison highlights how China’s state-led approach has enabled its rapid rise as a techno-security power, positioning it as a formidable competitor to the United States.
Cheung justifies his argument through a deep dive into China’s policy initiatives and historical trajectory. He outlines how China’s techno-security state has evolved through different leadership phases, from Mao Zedong’s ‘Two Bombs, One Satellite’ program to Xi Jinping’s Innovation-Driven Development Strategy (IDDS) and Made in China 2025. These policies, Cheung argues, are not just about economic growth but about securing China’s position as a global leader by achieving technological supremacy and national security independence.
In Chapter 1, Cheung discusses the significance of innovation-centered development as the cornerstone of China’s national strategy under Xi. He highlights how innovation, particularly in technology, has become a strategic asset to achieve both economic and military strength. Through initiatives such as IDDS, China aims to close the gap with the West, especially in critical technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and defense systems.
Cheung further explores China’s military-civil fusion policy, which integrates civilian industries into the defense sector. In Chapter 3, he details how this strategy has enabled China to channel resources more effectively toward technological advancement, without the need for a traditional arms race. This fusion strengthens the country’s defense capabilities while bolstering civilian economic growth, thus creating a symbiotic relationship between innovation and security.
Cheung also provides a comparative perspective, showing how China’s approach contrasts with the United States. The techno-security competition between the two powers is framed as a key battleground for global supremacy. While the U.S. relies on market-driven innovation, China’s state-centric model gives it the advantage of rapid mobilization and strategic focus. Cheung argues that this divergence is central to understanding the future of global power dynamics.
Cheung’s analysis is both compelling and rigorous, offering a nuanced understanding of China’s rise as a techno-security state. His ability to weave together historical context, policy analysis, and theoretical frameworks makes the book a valuable resource for anyone studying Chinese politics, security studies, or international relations. By framing China’s strategy within the broader context of global technological competition, Cheung provides readers with a clear sense of how China’s ambitions are reshaping the international order.
However, some readers may find Cheung’s analysis overly reliant on the assumption that China’s top-down approach will continue to be successful. The book touches briefly on potential internal challenges, such as corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies, but does not fully explore how these might impede China’s progress. Additionally, while the book provides a thorough examination of China’s strategies, it leaves some questions unanswered regarding how the U.S. and other global players will respond to China’s techno-security ambitions.
Overall, Innovate to Dominate is a well-researched and insightful book that offers a critical examination of China’s strategic use of technology and innovation to secure its national interests. Cheung’s analysis is timely, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, and the book provides valuable insights into the future trajectory of this rivalry. His concept of the techno-security state is a useful lens through which to view China’s ambitions, and his comparative approach helps readers understand the broader implications of China’s rise for the global order.
Tai Ming Cheung’s Innovate to Dominate is a crucial addition to the literature on China’s rise as a global power. Through his exploration of the techno-security state, Cheung provides a comprehensive framework for understanding China’s strategic priorities under Xi Jinping. His work is both a cautionary tale and a roadmap for how technological innovation is becoming a new frontier in global power struggles. The book is an essential read for policymakers, academics, and anyone interested in the future of international security and technological competition.
Manoj Karki is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Politics (specialization in International Relations) at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.
