China touts high-tech push as rivalry with US intensifies
China on Thursday vowed to deepen investment in high-tech industries and scientific innovation, framing them as essential to bolstering security and self-reliance amid rising geopolitical tensions and an intensifying rivalry with the U.S.
At the opening of the annual parliament meeting, Premier Li Qiang praised China’s ability to withstand U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes, but said “multilateralism and free trade are under severe threat,” and announced 7% increases in the national defence budget, as well as in research and development.
