The Hidden System Turning Chinese Tech Companies into Military Suppliers

China converts commercial tech companies into military suppliers through a subtle system of state designations, tax incentives, and university partnerships. This "military-civil fusion" strategy, exemplified by robotics firm Unitree, operates without direct military contracts or corporate consent. Despite a pledge against weaponization, Unitree's robots appeared in military exercises after the company received state benefits and its products were purchased by military-linked universities. The system integrates commercial success into military capability by embedding military requirements into civilian standards and procurement channels. This structural approach presents a significant policy challenge for the United States, whose current policies focus on finished products rather than the underlying integration process.