China’s open-source ambitions go far beyond software

While many individuals use open-source technology daily, such as when browsing the internet or using software on their computer or mobile device, the Chinese government has been actively promoting its own alternatives. China has incorporated open-source development into its national technology strategy, with companies and institutions taking the lead in shaping how open-source technology is developed, licensed, and utilized.

The success of China's open-source advancements is contingent upon garnering global trust. However, this trust has been challenged due to a history of Chinese companies acquiring advanced technology through means such as intellectual property theft, pressure applied in joint ventures, and licensing agreements. Open-source technology is increasingly becoming a focal point of global strategic competition between nations.

Leading technical and legal standards for open-source technology could grant countries a significant competitive advantage for years to come. Examples of open-source technologies include Linux, the foundation for Android phones and a vast portion of the internet, and RISC-V, an emerging alternative to Intel and Arm chip designs. Open-source software facilitates developers worldwide to build upon shared code, resulting in the creation of Linux and RISC-V.

Historically, China's approach to open-source technology aimed to develop systems that were free from foreign control. The government-backed software institute created Red Flag Linux as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows, which was deemed costly and susceptible to foreign intelligence surveillance. A Chinese military university also developed Kylin, an operating system exclusive to the People's Liberation Army and other government entities.

In recent years, Chinese tech firms have turned to open-source technology as a means to circumvent sanctions and export controls. Following the U.S. government's blacklist against telecom giant Huawei due to its ties to the Chinese military, Google terminated Huawei's access to licensed services and apps. Undeterred, Huawei developed HarmonyOS NEXT, an open-source version of its smartphone operating system, which replaced HarmonyOS.

President Xi Jinping emphasizes the significance of scientific and technological self-reliance, known as keji zili ziqiang. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other government bodies have supported domestic platforms, such as the OpenAtom Foundation and Gitee, a Chinese alternative to GitHub. These initiatives promote open-source operating systems, including openKylin and openEuler, which contribute to securing China's information technology infrastructure.

China is also striving to establish itself as a pivotal player in setting global standards for open-source hardware. Its work on RISC-V reduces dependence on foreign intellectual property in semiconductors, making Chinese technology companies less vulnerable to export controls and bans. As a result, China's "overtaking on a turn" strategy seems to be bearing fruit.

Chinese telecommunications companies, already leaders in 5G mobile network technology, are collaborating with an international alliance to shape 6G, the next-generation standard for mobile communications. The Open-RAN standard being developed by this alliance has far-reaching implications for cybersecurity and strategic competition.

Additionally, AI development has shifted from export controls of AI chips to prioritizing who leads open-source AI development. Prominent Chinese AI models, like Qwen, DeepSeek, Kimi, and GLM, are generally open-weight, meaning that model software and final parameters are available, but not training data and methodology.