Opinion | Beyond US-China decoupling, self-reliance is now a global movement
And despite opposing perspectives, it may reduce mutual dependence such as to assure a strategic peace of mind for both the West and China
This era formed the second of three key phases in China’s industrial evolution, which began with establishing a heavy industrial foundation in the east during the 1950s, moved to the defensive Third Front Construction in the country’s interior, and culminated in the post-1980s era of reform and opening up.
This legacy is the foundation for its unique status as China’s only official Science and Technology City. It is a state-mandated hub specialising in sectors ranging from national defence, aerospace and nuclear technology to electronics, advanced materials and smart robotics.
My trip served as a powerful reminder of the shifting global economic order. It is a profound irony that merely 60 years after China’s initial self-reliance campaign, the world is turning away from super-globalisation and stepping into a new age of self-reliance.
This shift is primarily driven by a universal desire for greater economic stability and national security. No longer just a feature of China’s development strategy, the trend has become widespread, evident even within Western nations.