Among the possible strategies needed to counter Beijing’s growing prowess, analysts said, included expanding the Silicon Shield – an attempt to remove China from semiconductor supply chains – to drone and other vital technologies; drastically reducing US bureaucracy; focusing more on emerging technologies like quantum; and countering China’s aggressive bid to create global standards.

“China is a systemic rival. It seeks to challenge and displace the United States as the guarantor for the American-led post-war order, and it does it on multiple fronts,” Piero Tozzi, senior China director with the American First Policy Institute, told lawmakers.

“We see them trying to set standards in the realm of technology. That’s true in telecommunications, which is why it’s important to win that race. We even see them trying to reset standards with regard to human rights.”