China Dominates Critical Technologies, While AI Fuels Control and surveillance
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China now leads the world in nearly 90% of the “critical technologies” that can substantially boost or endanger national interests, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s (ASPI) latest Critical Technology Tracker report.
In ASPI’s five-year window covering 2020-24, China ranked first in 66 of 74 technologies, including national-power staples such as nuclear energy, synthetic biology and small satellites. The United States led in the remaining eight areas, including quantum computing and geoengineering.
The report, published on December 1, also highlights concentrated risk in several newly added fields where China holds a clear lead, including cloud and edge computing, computer vision (an artificial intelligence field that enables computers to see, interpret and understand images and video), generative AI and grid integration technologies, some of which are rated as carrying a high “technology monopoly risk.”
On the same day, ASPI published another report titled “How China’s new AI systems are reshaping human rights,” accusing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of using large language models (LLMs) and other AI systems to automate censorship, enhance surveillance and pre-emptively suppress dissent.
“China’s extensive AI-powered visual surveillance systems are already well documented,” said the report. “Those practices directly implicate the right to freedom of expression and the right to seek, receive and impart details, including access to accurate contextual information rather than only the absence of prohibited content.”
Chinese models such as Baidu’s Ernie Bot, Alibaba’s Qwen, Zhipu AI’s GLM and DeepSeek’s VL2 are capable of analysing both text and images. When tested on photographs of events such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the Hong Kong 2019 protests and rallies supporting Uyghurs and Tibetans, those models frequently refused to respond, omitted sensitive details or restated official narratives.
The report said such patterns reflect state regulations requiring AI systems to conform to “core socialist values” and to avoid outputs that “harm the national image.” The study said that the CCP expanded advanced AI use most rapidly between 2023 and 2025 in four areas:
* AI-driven censorship of politically sensitive images
* Integration of AI into policing and the criminal justice system
* Industrial-scale control and management of online information
* Overseas deployment of AI-enabled platforms by Chinese companies
Taken together, the report said these trends show AI being embedded across domains to strengthen Beijing’s ability to shape information, behavior and economic outcomes at home and abroad.
The release of ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker and its analysis of China’s AI advancement was soon followed by the Australian goverment’s December 2 proclamation of its National AI Plan,which emphasised security,risk management and resilience as AI capabilities advance.
“The Department of Home Affairs, the National Intelligence Community and law enforcement agencies will continue efforts to mitigate the most serious risks posed by AI proactively,” the National AI Plan said.
“Australia welcomes global investment to support local capabilities…
Australia, Japan, and the Pacific: A Proposed Division of labour and China’s Response
A recent report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) proposes a closer defense partnership between Australia and Japan in the Pacific, advocating for a “partial division of labour” to protect vital sea lanes and deter potential Chinese influence. This proposal, though, has drawn criticism from Chinese commentators who view it as a move to contain China and turn Pacific Island nations into a strategic battleground.
ASPI’s Proposal for Enhanced Cooperation
The ASPI report, titled “Japan-Australia defense cooperation in the Pacific: the case for a partial division of labour” https://www.aspi.org.au/report/japan-australia-defence-cooperation-in-the-pacific-the-case-for-a-partial-division-of-labour/, suggests that Australia and Japan strategically allocate regional responsibilities during a potential conflict. The core idea is to bolster the protection of critical sea lines of communication (SLOCs) connecting the two nations, particularly in the context of increasing geopolitical competition.
Specifically, the report proposes:
* Japan prioritize security efforts in Micronesia.
* Australia focus on Polynesia.
* Shared obligation in Melanesia, including key nations like Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
The rationale behind this division is to allow both countries to concentrate their resources and expertise, while simultaneously deterring China, especially as the United States focuses on potential confrontations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chinese Criticism and Concerns
The proposal has been met with strong criticism from Chinese state-affiliated media and commentators.A columnist from Jiangsu province, as reported by Asia Times, argues that the ASPI report aims to “charge to the front lines for US interests by turning Pacific island countries into a battleground for competition over so-called strategic supply chains.” https://asiatimes.com/2023/12/australia-japan-plan-to-defend-pacific-islands-against-china/ This viewpoint frames ASPI as an “anti-China vanguard” and suggests the initiative is less about genuine strategic coordination and more about amplifying perceived threats from China.
Critics further contend that the increased military presence and focus on security are designed to disrupt the existing, normal cooperation between Pacific island nations and China. They suggest that Australia and Japan risk becoming “cannon fodder” in a conflict primarily driven by US strategic priorities. This viewpoint highlights a concern that the initiative serves external powers rather than the genuine security needs of the Pacific Islands themselves.
context: Growing Geopolitical Competition in the Pacific
The proposed defense cooperation comes amid increasing geopolitical competition in the Pacific region. China has been actively expanding its influence through economic investment, diplomatic engagement, and security agreements with Pacific Island countries. This has raised concerns in Australia, Japan, and the United States about China’s potential to establish a military foothold in the region and disrupt vital shipping lanes.
In 2023, the Solomon Islands’ security pact with China sparked significant controversy, with Australia and the US expressing concerns about the potential for a chinese military presence. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/solomon-islands-says-china-police-deal-not-threat-australia-2023-04-04/ This event underscored the growing strategic importance of the Pacific islands and the need for increased engagement from regional powers.
Implications and future Outlook
The ASPI report and the subsequent reactions highlight the complex dynamics at play in the pacific region. While Australia and Japan aim to strengthen regional security and protect their interests, China views these efforts with suspicion and accuses them of being part of a broader containment strategy.
The success of any division of labor will depend on several factors, including:
* Pacific Island nations’ acceptance: The initiative must be sensitive to the sovereignty and security concerns of Pacific Island countries.
* Effective coordination: Close collaboration between Australia, japan, and the United States will be crucial.
* Addressing underlying concerns: addressing the root causes of instability and promoting sustainable development in the region are essential for long-term security.
Looking ahead, the Pacific region is likely to remain a focal point of geopolitical competition. Continued