By Franz-Stefan Gady
Beijing remains technologically one or two generations behind its main competitors in the global arms industry.
Last week, China set up a new committee that will help reform and expand the country’s burgeoning defense industry, China Military Online reported.
According to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND), the government agency in charge of defense industrial policy, the committee, formally named the Strategic Committee of Science, Technology and Industry Development for National Defense, met on June 3rd for the first time.
China Military Online reports that the committee is composed of experts from various government agencies and public institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance and the PLA General Armaments Department.
“The founding of the committee is aimed to gather opinions and advice from leaders and experts in relevant military and civilian departments and units, and get external intellectual support for the strategic development and technological innovation of China’s defense industry,” said Xu Dazhe, the chairperson of the committee and head of SASTIND.
Read the full story at The Diplomat