China engages in technological espionage to accelerate economic growth and modernise its military

In order to increase its economic competitiveness and accelerate military modernisation, China is seeking to secure access to Western technologies and the expertise required to develop them. Strategic documents and plans openly outline China’s technological needs and specific areas for development. For instance, the ‘Made in China 2025’ plan sets ambitious goals to achieve breakthrough in high value- added industries, including the new information technology, aerospace and aviation sectors, railway, renewable energy, biotechnology, electronics, industrial machinery and robotics, maritime, medicine, and industrial agriculture.

China collects information on technologies developed by the West through a combination of espionage and lawful means. Beijing funds joint research with foreign scientists, establishes collaborative research laboratories with foreign universities, and runs talent recruitment programmes to attract experts to China. It also forms joint ventures with international companies.

The objective of China’s civil-military fusion strategy is the integration of civilian technologies into the Chinese Armed Forces. A number of Chinese universities play a role in this strategy by conducting research on weapon development and the application of technologies in the military. The Chinese regime exploits these institutions and their international academic collaboration for technological espionage and covert technology transfer. Some of these universities are also trying to establish relations with Lithuanian research institutions.

Despite poor bilateral relations, China highly likely remains interested in Lithuania’s scientific achievements, with particular focus on lasers, semiconductors, and biotechnology. Chinese scientists are particularly keen on collaborating with their Lithuanian counterparts in the fields of natural and technological sciences, including physics, astronomy, chemistry, environmental science, and materials engineering. Research in these fields is in line with the priorities outlined in China’s strategic documents.

It is highly likely that Chinese universities with ties to the defence industry will seek to strengthen scientific cooperation with Lithuania by signing collaboration memorandums, initiating joint research projects, establishing laboratories, and offering internships or exchange programmes for researchers. It is possible that Chinese intelligence services will target representatives of Lithuanian academic institutions participating in various internship programmes.