Back in the mists of time, in the days when the long-forgotten David Cameron welcomed a “golden era” of Sino-British relations, western governments and companies were clear about how China’s story would unfold. As it embraced capitalism, its people would become accustomed to consumer choice. That, inevitably, would lead them to demand choice in political life. Technology, in the hands of the people, would undermine autocracy and hasten this story to its happy democratic ending. Western firms could therefore flog their technology to the Chinese with a clear conscience.
Author, Jonathan Hillman reveals what China’s expanding digital footprint looks like on the ground and explores the economic and strategic consequences of a future in which all routers lead to Beijing. What are the consequences if China becomes the world’s chief network operator? Could it could reap a commercial and strategic windfall, including many advantages currently enjoyed by the United States? Could it reshape global flows of data, finance, and communications to reflect its interests? Why is China’s digital dominance not yet assured? What are its vulnerabilities? How can the US win the battle?
