The Hidden System Turning Chinese Tech Companies into Military Suppliers

Research into China’s technology sector reveals a system of anticipatory compliance, where civilian tech companies align themselves with military goals to ensure their standing with the state. This framework, known as the proactive elite alignment theory, analyzes how firms in the tech sector transition into military suppliers through a process of strategic adaptation to government expectations.

The research, conducted by Charles Sun at Stanford University, utilizes Chinese-language government records, corporate filings and procurement documents. The findings highlight a pattern where companies that publicly commit to civilian purposes may later see their technology integrated into military operations.

The Case of Unitree Robotics

Unitree Robotics, a Hangzhou-based startup founded in 2016 by engineer Wang Xingxing, serves as a primary example of this trajectory. Wang founded the company after leaving the drone manufacturer DJI during his probationary period, focusing on the production of affordable quadruped robots.

The company achieved significant commercial success, holding over 60 percent of the global quadruped robot market by unit sales by 2023. Its growth was supported by investors including Meituan, Shenzhen Capital Group, and Sequoia China, with its consumer-grade products available for purchase on Amazon.

In October 2022, Unitree signed an open letter alongside Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, and three other firms. In this document, the companies pledged not to weaponize their machines and committed to reviewing the intended applications of their customers.

Transition to Military Application

Despite the 2022 pledge, Unitree’s technology appeared in military contexts within a few years. China’s state broadcaster aired footage showing B1 quadrupeds carrying assault rifles during joint military exercises between the armed forces of China and Cambodia.

Further military integration was observed in 2025. In July 2025, a military training exercise at a Chongqing vocational college featured Unitree machines equipped with rocket launchers and rifles. This exercise was a joint development involving faculty, students, and a military training team.

By September 2025, robot dogs were featured in China’s largest military parade on Chang’an Avenue.

In response to these developments, Unitree issued a statement in August 2025 asserting that the company has always been a civilian robotics company and claiming that any militarized modifications were performed by third parties.

Broader Context of Military-Civil Fusion

The integration of civilian technology into defense capabilities is part of a broader effort in China to develop AI-related military capabilities. Analysis of 2,857 AI-related defense contract award notices published between January 2023 and December 2024 indicates that while legacy defense players still lead procurement, there is an emerging group of nontraditional vendors and research entities entering the sector.

Other instances of technology transfer and military links involving academic and corporate entities have also been documented. On March 27, 2026, reports indicated that four Chinese universities, including two with links to the People’s Liberation Army, purchased servers from Super Micro Computer.