A personal bookmark, now on the blog.
From Baigun, May 29:
What are they exactly, and to what extent has China achieved "self-sufficiency"?
"Stranglehold" technologies are critical industrial capabilities where dependence on foreign suppliers creates strategic vulnerabilities. Think semiconductors, advanced lithography machines, or aircraft engines—components so complex that few nations can produce them independently.
In 2018, Science and Technology Daily (the official newspaper of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China) identified 35 such "stranglehold" gaps. Since then, the U.S.-China rivalry has turned these technologies into geopolitical flashpoints. Export controls, sanctions, and supply chain weaponization have forced China to accelerate its quest for self-sufficiency.
By 2025, China has broken foreign monopolies in 60-70% of these areas—from heavy-duty gas turbines to LiDAR systems—yet remains locked out of cutting-edge domains like EUV lithography and biotech tools. Washington’s escalating restrictions have not only reshaped global tech flows but also fueled Beijing’s narrative of "innovation under siege."
How much progress has China truly made so far? Can it bypass Western barriers through alternative R&D pathways?
To answer these questions, today we translate an article that presents the latest breakthroughs and areas of dependency of China in all 35 critical technologies.
China's progress of 35 key “stranglehold” technologies
In 2018, Science and Technology Daily (the official newspaper of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China), identified 35 critical technologies constraining China’s industrial development—ranging from lithography machines and semiconductors to aircraft engine nacelles and RF components. These “stranglehold” technologies were characterized by heavy reliance on imports, long R&D cycles, and high demands for cross-sectoral coordination.
As of May 2025, how far has China advanced in breaking these bottlenecks?
I. Technologies where China has achieved full or near-complete substitution
Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines
China has developed independent design and manufacturing capabilities, achieving breakthroughs not only in hot-end components but also in overall system technology—effectively reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers such as GE (U.S.) and Mitsubishi (Japan).
Aerospace-Grade Steel (e.g., 300M Ultra-High Strength Alloy)
The third-generation 300M steel has passed international certification and is now used in the landing gear of the C919 aircraft. It resolves key challenges such as purity in smelting and hydrogen embrittlement, marking a major step toward technological self-sufficiency and control.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
Domestic producers such as Hesai Technology and RoboSense Technology are now competitive globally in autonomous driving, with performance metrics approaching international standards.
Vacuum Deposition Equipment
Chinese-made systems have achieved major breakthroughs in OLED panel production. Companies like SINEVA (Hefei) have launched high-precision deposition equipment, effectively challenging the longstanding dominance of Japan’s Canon Tokki.
Tactile Sensors
Array-type tactile sensors have been successfully developed and applied in industrial robotics, narrowing the technology gap with Japan.
Other fields
Domestic substitution has been realized in over 21 areas, including underwater connectors, battery separators, fuel cell materials, microspheres, and high-end bearing steel.
II. Technologies with partial breakthroughs but ongoing gaps...
....MUCH MORE