China urges big state-owned firms to be tech 'pillars' as part of self-reliance drive

China urges big state-owned firms to be tech 'pillars' as part of self-reliance drive

FILE PHOTO: A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration

China has urged big state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to play a key role in its drive to attain self-reliance in technology, raising the stakes in the race amid rifts with the United States.