8/ Our findings reveal that the PLA is diversifying its AI supply chain. SOEs still win the highest-value contracts, but NTVs and civilian institutions are making the ecosystem more agile and competitive.

6/ One telling example is Flytek Digital (closely linked to iFlytek), which won 20 contracts for AI-enabled speech processing & decision-support algorithms. Other top NTVs include PIESAT (satellites/AI) and Chengdu JOUAV Automation (drones).

5/ Most of the NTVs are young. The majority were founded after 2010, and they specialize in dual-use tech, ranging from drones to data fusion. They see both defense and civilian markets as paths to growth.

4/ BUT nearly ¾ of the suppliers were “nontraditional vendors” (NTVs), or companies with no self-reported state ownership ties. Together, they won 764 contracts, more than SOEs or universities.

2/ Between Jan 2023–Dec 2024, the PLA issued 2,857 AI-related contract award notices. 1,560 entities won at least one bid. We zeroed in on the 338 suppliers that won multiple contracts.

1/ 🚨 In a new @csetgeorgetown.bsky.social report, Cole Mcfaul, Daniel Chou, and I examine the inner workings of China’s military-civil fusion strategy and AI defense industrial base. Here’s what we found 🧵

THREAD: Why Taiwan’s “Silicon Shield” might be turning into a target.

1/ For years, Taiwan's dominance in semiconductor production has served as a kind of "silicon shield," a deterrent against Chinese aggression because any conflict could devastate global chip supply chains.