Matthew Johnson
Beijing views control over the platforms, standards, and data flows of the Internet of Things (IoT) era as a source of lasting structural leverage, and has spent more than a decade positioning itself at the center of this emerging system.
The PRC’s share of global smart home device shipments is projected to reach 20–30 percent by 2028, driven by a domestic environment of sustained policy support, coordinated investment, and state-managed access to capital.
Massive state-led investment in broadband, 5G, and next-generation network infrastructure—deployed by major state-owned telecom operators—has given PRC firms a decisive first-mover advantage in developing, refining, and exporting advanced IoT technologies.
Beijing’s active role in shaping international standards signals that its ambitions extend beyond manufacturing scale, aiming to embed Chinese technical protocols, governance norms, and data practices into the global connected-device ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the spread of PRC IoT platforms points toward a fully integrated digital environment in which everyday devices are linked to AI, cloud, and edge systems under Chinese influence—raising long-term risks of technological dependence, data capture, and reduced autonomy for foreign governments and industries.
Beijing is positioning the full spectrum of state policy tools behind its Internet of Things (IoT) ambitions—aligning telecom infrastructure, protected domestic markets, and tightly managed technical standards to consolidate its influence at home and extend it abroad. This expansion goes beyond selling connected devices: by dominating core components like cellular IoT modules and driving global rule-making through initiatives such as China Standards 2035, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is creating long-term supply chain dependencies and reshaping the rules of digital interoperability (China Brief, July 25).
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