From foreign technology dependence towards greater innovation autonomy: China’s integration into the information and communications technology (ICT) global value chain (GVC)

ABSTRACT China’s integration into the information and communications technology global value chain has taken place as global technology corporations outsourced and offshored an increasing range of functions, including manufacturing, assembly, and to some extent, innovation to more competitive regions within China. Initially disappointed with low levels of technology transfer from foreign companies, China has sought to achieve greater levels of technology autonomy through more aggressive efforts in recent years to push for indigenous innovation by leveraging market access. China has achieved some limited success in establishing domestic brands but continues to lack significant core technology in critical areas such as semiconductors.