The PRC Medium and Long-Term National Science and Technology Development Plan: A Manifesto to Steal

Abstract

Abstract : The modern rise of China as a world economic power directly supported by a cultural ideology that looks to outside sources for technological innovation and periodic focused efforts to modernize outdated areas of Chinese society. This has not always been the case, as long before the 19th century the Chinese were known for their innovation and inventiveness. As China turned inward during the 19th and 20th centuries, its capability to innovate and to maintain a technological standing in the World diminished, leading to technological stagnation. As a response People's Republic of China (PRC) in recent decades has used its access to the world and relationship with the United States and other Western countries to feed its latest endeavor to modernize, to great effect. The Communist Party of China (CCP) has driven economic development through a directed economy as well as market forces. One means to drive their acquisition of foreign technology is through the CCP's Medium- and Long-Term National Science and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020). This single document is a manifesto to acquire new technology and innovations from outside the PRC, and has directed the acquisition of technology by any means necessary to the detriment of U.S. and western research and development organizations. This effort poses one of the greatest counter intelligence threats to the United States today. This directive has encouraged the rise in illegal and forced transfer of dual use and sensitive technology through joint ventures, academic exchanges, and traditional and non-traditional intelligence collection, while shipping technology through third countries to cover the ultimate destination. With the explosive growth of Chinese students attending U.S. schools and the rise in Chinese espionage cases, lax export laws in Hong Kong and recent changes to U.S. visa laws U.S. lawmakers must increase the focus on the protection of U.S. intellectual property and sensitive technology.