Innovation in China’s space industry: overcoming decoupling

ABSTRACTChina’s space program is a case study in how China has been able to become a world space power despite US export control restrictions. China’s progress in space technologies can be attributed to several factors, including high-level leadership attention, long-term planning and funding, and technology transfer, both legal and illegal. Although US export control restrictions appear to have slowed People’s Republic of China (PRC) advancements in space technologies, they have not been able to prevent China from achieving its goals. As a result, the US’s primary focus should be on maintaining its lead in space technologies through research and development rather than only attempting to restrict PRC access to US technology and knowhow. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1. 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See, “Lagrange Points of the Earth-Moon System,” http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Mechanics/lagpt.html76. Kristin Fisher and Sonnet Swire, “Top Space Force Official: China Is Developing Space Capabilities At ‘Twice The Rate’ Of US,” CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/04/politics/american-experts-us-china-space-race/index.html (accessed December 5, 2021).77. Fan Weiwei, “Space Transportation System Development Launches Roadmap for the Next 30 Years,” Beijing Chinese Journal of Space Science (2018).78. Ibid.79. Malcolm Davis, “Space: The Next South China Sea,” The Maritime Executive, https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/space-the-next-south-china-sea (accessed Jul 23, 2018).80. Patrick Tucker, “China’s Moon Missions Could Threaten US Satellites: Pentagon,” Defense One, https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2018/10/chinas-moon-missions-could-threaten-us-satellites-pentagon/152084/ (accessed Oct 16, 2018).Additional informationNotes on contributorsKevin PollpeterKevin Pollpeter, PhD, is a Senior Research Scientist at CNA. Dr. Pollpeteris widely published on China national security issues, focusing on China’s space program and information warfare. He holds a PhD from King’s College London.