China's Strategic Approach to Tech Diplomacy in a Time of Global Uncertainty

Abstract

In the wake of U.S.-China technological competition and the COVID-19 pandemic, “tech diplomacy” has gained prominence in Chinese political and academic discourse. This concept is often ideologically framed to critique Western hegemonic narratives perceived as hindering China's technological advancement. Concurrently, China has embraced a more assertive foreign policy, aiming to increase its global influence and shape international technological norms. We use historical-discursive analysis to investigate the Chinese government's localization and institutionalization of tech diplomacy. By examining official statements and academic sources since 2018, we examine how Beijing has framed tech diplomacy as a strategic response to geopolitical challenges, seeking to legitimize and institutionalize its global technological norms.

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