China's quest to shape the world through standards setting

“Standards are the commanding heights, discourse power, and the power to control,” explained a 2015 article in China’s Zhejiang Daily. “Therefore, the one who obtains the standards gains the world.” Six years later, the world is just beginning to recognize the breadth of China’s ambitions and the role that standard setting plays in Beijing’s aspirations.

Already, Chinese planning documents indicate that Beijing sees regional trade agreements, including the RCEP and investment plans such as the BRI as platforms through which to influence international standards. Government planning documents also indicate that Beijing’s ambitions range from shaping international standards for agricultural production, especially in Central Asia and ASEAN countries, to setting those in new energy, electric vehicle charging, quantum computing, intelligent manufacturing, new materials, and other strategic, emerging fields.

Beijing does not support a neutral architecture where iterative negotiating strives for technical interoperability. Instead, Beijing promotes an architecture that bolsters and cements Chinese competitiveness. Due to China’s size and centralization, the consequences of this approach will reverberate across the international system.