China adopts 'China First' strategy prioritising resilience and security

China is pursuing a "China First" strategy that marks a shift away from the era of rapid global integration toward a focus on resilience, national sovereignty and domestic stability under President Xi Jinping, according to analysis of recent policy directions.

The approach prioritises domestic security and the long-term survival of the Communist Party over the pursuit of traditional global dominance in the style of the United States, according to reporting by Time.

The strategy is described as a pragmatic framework aimed at ensuring domestic prosperity, national security and political stability. It is built on several core pillars, including greater economic and technological self-reliance, "controlled interdependence" with global markets, and what analysts describe as "managed rivalry" with the United States.

Under the self-reliance pillar, China is seeking to reduce exposure to external shocks such as trade restrictions and supply chain disruptions by strengthening domestic production capacity and technological capability. The "controlled interdependence" approach aims to maintain deep integration with the global economy while limiting vulnerability to political pressure and technological chokepoints. At the same time, competition with the United States is increasingly seen as a long-term condition to be managed rather than resolved.

A significant shift in direction is reflected in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), which prioritises resilience and advanced manufacturing over rapid expansion of gross domestic product. The strategy is driven in part by concern in Beijing that globalisation has become a source of vulnerability due to Western technology restrictions, regional conflicts and energy market volatility.

As a result, investment is increasingly focused on semiconductors, 6G connectivity and domestic supply chains, which are framed as matters of national security.

In foreign policy, China's external engagement is increasingly shaped by domestic priorities rather than ideological expansion. In its regional diplomacy, Beijing is placing greater emphasis on its immediate neighbourhood in Asia, combining economic engagement with calibrated assertiveness to expand influence and reduce perceived strategic encirclement.

On relations with the United States, the strategy indicates a preference in Beijing for a predictable, even if adversarial, relationship rather than instability or fragmentation in Washington. The broader objective remains to build national capabilities while avoiding a coordinated Western response.

In regional flashpoints such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, China is seeking to gradually shift the balance of power through an increased presence, while avoiding direct military escalation.

However, analysts note the strategy carries potential risks. A stronger focus on security and regulation could weaken private sector confidence, affect employment and weigh on long-term growth. Its effectiveness will depend on whether it can sustain domestic economic performance and public confidence while operating in a more complex global environment.