The world wants Chinese tech. China is determined to keep it

THEY used to gripe about too much technology transfer in China. But in the past year or so, foreign business and political leaders have started to fret that too little is happening.

No longer do they worry so much about Western tech landing in Chinese hands; rather, they fear that China is now too effective at preventing its best stuff from passing to foreigners.

A former Chinese trade official reacted to the pivot with empathy rather than mockery. “It is a bit hypocritical, but it’s understandable,” he said.