Dominant China provides both a challenge and a blueprint, says Economic Survey

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: In the Economic Survey 2025, China is mentioned 102 times, casting a long shadow over the global economic landscape. Often referred to as a “manufacturing colossus," China’s role has become a central theme, not only in India’s growth story but also in shaping the global economy.

The survey, led by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, presents a clear picture: China’s dominance presents both a challenge and a blueprint for India’s future. From geopolitics to the energy transition, manufacturing to artificial intelligence (AI), the survey paints a complex portrait of China’s power.

Its control over critical raw materials, supply chains, and emerging technologies puts India in a delicate position—one that demands diversification, localization, and innovation to mitigate the risks of dependency. Read this | Economic Survey: Local tech, components for EV manufacturing "China is a dominant force in the global manufacturing and energy transition ecosystems. It has gained a strategic advantage leveraging its competitiveness and economic policy to access and control key resources recognised today as critical for global supply chains," the survey noted.

For years, China has been the undisputed leader in global manufacturing. The survey underscores this by highlighting that China accounts for nearly 28.8% of global manufacturing, far outpacing India, which contributes only 2.8%. This vast gap remains a pressing concern for India’s economic aspirations.