China seeks to lead in setting global standards

Significance

Shaping technical standards is a key battleground in global competition for technological leadership. Where once the United States and Europe were dominant, China has greatly strengthened its position and now seeks become a premier purveyor of technical standards globally.

Impacts

• Technical standards development will become more central to China's industrial strategy.
• International standard-setting will increasingly fall victim to great-power rivalry between the United States and China.
• China's standardisation efforts will be most visible in emerging digital fields such as 5G, AI and quantum communications.
• Traditional sectors such as energy, transport, medicine, agriculture and even accounting and finance will see proactive Chinese efforts.