Reports

CSET produces evidence-driven analysis in a variety of forms, from informative graphics and translations to expert testimony and published reports. Our key areas of inquiry are the foundations of artificial intelligence — such as talent, data and computational power — as well as how AI can be used in cybersecurity and other national security settings. We also do research on the policy tools that can be used to shape AI’s development and use, and on biotechnology.

Report

China’s Military AI Wish List

Emelia Probasco, Sam Bresnick, and Cole McFaul
| February 2026

This report examines thousands of Chinese-language open-source requests for proposal (RFPs) published by the People’s Liberation Army between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. The RFPs the authors reviewed offer insights into the PLA’s priorities and ambitions for AI-enabled military technologies associated with C5ISRT: command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting.

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See our original translation of a 2012 document from the PRC State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

See our original translation of a 2010 PRC regulation, meant to increase private investors' role in the Chinese economy.

See our original translation of a study by a PRC government cybersecurity center that analyzes the structure of China's complement of cybersecurity and IT security professionals.

See our original translation of a statistical report by the PRC Ministry of Science and Technology detailing changes in China's research and development personnel pool.

See our original translation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) proposal—approved at the Fifth Plenum of the 19th CCP Central Committee in late October 2020—on China's 14th Five-Year Plan.

See our original translation of a speech given by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April 2020 at the seventh meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission.

See our original translation of a document providing statistics on Chinese technical research and development spending in 2019. The data is broken down by industry and region and shows a significant increase in R&D expenditures in 2019.

See our original translation of a document that lays out the PRC government’s priorities for developing China’s civilian space infrastructure through 2025. It recommends that China reduce its reliance on foreign civilian satellite technology, but also advocates for continued use of international exchanges and technology transfer as ways to catch up to more technologically advanced countries in space infrastructure.

See our original translation of a speech that Xi delivered to a meeting of academics in 2020 that he convened to solicit input for China’s upcoming 14th Five-Year Plan.

See our original translation of a speech that Xi delivered to a meeting of academics in 2020 that he convened to solicit input for China’s upcoming 14th Five-Year Plan.