Politburo Meeting
In the January 2024 Central Politburo meeting, it was clearly stated that the national security situation is becoming increasingly complex, requiring a comprehensive enhancement of security capabilities. The meeting particularly emphasized strengthening control over emerging technology sectors and ensuring food and energy security.
In terms of economic security, China increased its control over key technologies and resources in 2024, especially in the semiconductor and new energy sectors. The “National Strategic Resource Reserve Management Regulations” released in 2024 clearly defined management measures for strategic resources such as rare earths and lithium battery materials.
The field of cybersecurity received further legal protections in 2024, refining the responsibilities of enterprises and the government in data protection and cybersecurity. This regulation imposed stricter controls on cross-border data transfers and introduced new punitive mechanisms to address potential cyber threats. The Chinese government continues to promote independent research and development of high-tech technologies, explicitly stating the goal of achieving major breakthroughs in fields such as quantum computing, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
In the area of ecological security, China continued to advance its ecological civilization construction in 2024, proposing a timeline for achieving “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality,” while emphasizing security in energy structure transformation. This strategy specifically highlighted the need to accelerate the development of renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources like coal, while ensuring the stability of energy supply.
Domestic Threats
Economic imbalance and financial risks remain significant domestic threats. To address these risks, the government issued the “Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Local Government Debt” in 2024, which clearly defined management requirements for the upper limits of local government debt and strengthened monitoring and prevention of local debt risks.
As the economic structure undergoes transformation and the gap between urban and rural areas widens, social conflicts have increased. The government has increased investment in rural infrastructure and expanded the coverage of the social security system, while proposing new requirements for the management of services for the floating population.
Public health security issues received heightened attention in 2024, particularly in response to sudden public health events. The “National Public Health Security Strategic Plan (2024-2029)” released in 2024 clearly outlined the key areas of focus for strengthening the disease prevention and control system, including accelerating the independent research and development of vaccines and drugs, and improving emergency response capabilities.
International Situation
Global geopolitical changes continue to pose challenges to China’s national security, with intensified great power competition, particularly in the technological, trade, and military fields between China and the United States. In 2024, the Chinese government further strengthened coordination of diplomatic and security policies. The “White Paper on China’s Foreign Policy in the New Era” released in 2024 clearly stated that China will adhere to the basic principle of “peaceful development,” while emphasizing its determination to safeguard core national interests in international affairs.
Regional security issues, particularly in East Asia and the South China Sea, have also been highlighted. As some countries stirred up disputes over the South China Sea, China strengthened its maritime patrols and military deployments in the region. The white paper clearly stated China’s firm stance on sovereignty over the South China Sea and reiterated the policy of resolving disputes through peaceful negotiations.
The uncertainty in the international economic environment, including global supply chain adjustments, intensified international trade frictions, and especially technological blockades against China, necessitated that China bolster its economic security. The “National Economic Security Strategic Plan (2024-2029)” released in 2024 proposed further advancing economic structural adjustments and reducing external dependencies, with a particular focus on accelerating independent innovation in high-tech fields.
As a key participant in addressing global climate change, China further strengthened its leadership role in global climate governance in 2024, making efforts in reducing carbon emissions, developing clean energy, and promoting global green cooperation. This action plan demonstrates China’s determination to promote global sustainable development on the international stage and enhance the international community’s ability to address climate change through multilateral cooperation mechanisms.
International technological competition between China and the United States in high-tech fields is becoming increasingly intense, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. To address this challenge, China plans to enhance its position in global technological competition through a dual approach of international cooperation and independent research and development.
Future Direction
Deepening economic security strategy will be an important direction for China’s national security in the coming years. With the increasing uncertainty in the global economic environment, the Chinese government plans to further optimize the domestic industrial structure and reduce reliance on external markets. The “National Economic Security Strategy Outlook (2025-2030)” released in 2024 clearly proposed achieving breakthroughs in high-end manufacturing, digital economy, and new energy fields to enhance the resilience and autonomy of the national economy.
Independent technological innovation is also a core component of future national security strategy. To cope with the intensifying international technological competition, the Chinese government plans to increase investment in key technology areas, particularly in frontier fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
Strengthening network and information security is another important direction, as the digitalization process accelerates and cybersecurity threats continue to evolve. The government plans to further reinforce the security management of cyberspace, clearly outlining plans to improve national cyber defense capabilities, protect critical infrastructure, and address emerging cyber threats in the coming years.
To deal with the increasingly complex international situation, China plans to enhance national security in the future through deepening multilateral cooperation and participating in global governance. China will further play a major role in the future, actively participating in international affairs, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative.