China, once a keen learner of Western technology, is now shifting gears to protect its own innovations. New outbound investment rules, effective July 2026, signal a move from technology absorption to stringent protection. Beijing now views its advanced AI, chip, and green tech as strategic assets, aiming to prevent its hard-won know-how from leaving the country amidst escalating global tech competition.

Beijing’s ‘milestone’ mandate seen authorising retaliatory responses to trade barriers while restricting research leaks.

China has introduced sweeping new regulations to tighten scrutiny of overseas investments, with the framework coming into effect on Wednesday amid growing technological…