風蕭蕭_Frank
以文會友
US-CHINA TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION: IMPACTING A RULES-BASED ORDER
By Hilary McGeachy May 2019
United States Studies Centre Institute Building (H03)
The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
Phone: +61 2 9351 7249 Email: us-studies@sydney.edu.au
Website: ussc.edu.au
Reports published by the United States Studies Centre are anonymously peer-reviewed by both internal and external experts. Cover photo: Getty
The United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney is a university-based research centre, dedicated to the rigorous analysis of American foreign policy, economics, politics and culture. The Centre is a national resource, that builds Australia’s awareness of the dynamics shaping America — and critically — their implications for Australia. The Foreign Policy and Defence Program is committed to providing policy-oriented research and analysis on American strategic policy and the future of the United States-Australia alliance, with a focus on developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Drawing on the expertise and networks of its researchers, the Program delivers insights and recommendations to a range of stakeholders through publications, policy dialogues, strategic futures workshops, and outreach activities. Its purpose is to deepen Australians’ understanding of American policy, analyse the US alliance and partner network in a rapidly evolving strategic landscape, and identify opportunities for Australia, the United States, and other nations to advance a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The Foreign Policy and Defence Program receives funding from the following partners. Research conclusions are derived independently and authors represent their own view not those of the United States Studies Centre.
The Alliance 21 Fellowship was established by the United States Studies Centre, the Perth USAsia Centre at the University of Western Australia and the United States Government. Alliance 21 Fellows conduct policyoriented research on the strategic opportunities and challenges facing the Australia-US relationship, engaging with students, scholars, policymakers, the media and the broader public over the course of their tenures. The Alliance 21 Fellowship receives funding support from the following partners:
Executive summary
The United States’ long-standing decentralised, industry-led approach to technology standards development is being challenged by China and may have serious economic consequences.
China’s industrial policies to secure leadership in emerging technologies include a well-resourced, state-led strategic approach to the development of technical standards.
For Beijing, efforts to increase activity and effectiveness in international standards organisations are beginning to bear fruit, notably in the development of 5G network standards, a trend that is likely to continue in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).
Accordingly, US-China technology competition is now playing out across multiple standards bodies as an expanded arena of contest, but does not represent a choice between distinct groups of technologies.
While national security considerations have become the main entry point for the wider policy community to engage with technology standards, this overshadows the operational challenges facing technology firms, industry bodies and officials involved in standards development.
A narrower US digital trade agenda and China’s enthusiastic pursuit of new international standards has created a sense of uncertainty across international rule-setting on new technologies.
While competition between the United States and China is likely to continue, policy developments in major emerging markets like India will take on increased importance in shaping international digital activity.
It is in Australia’s economic interests to continue to work with partners and advocate for a balanced and transparent approach to rule-setting in the development of emerging technology and global digital trade
