@article{ART003353317},
author={Naying An and Xinhong Zhou},
title={The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation},
journal={Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies},
issn={1225-8539},
year={2026},
volume={33},
number={2},
pages={115-150},
doi={10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004}
TY - JOUR
AU - Naying An
AU - Xinhong Zhou
TI - The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation
JO - Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies
PY - 2026
VL - 33
IS - 2
PB - Institute of Global Affairs
SP - 115
EP - 150
SN - 1225-8539
AB - With the rapid development of the digital economy, computing power has evolved from a technical resource into a critical foundational factor shaping national economic structures, industrial upgrading, and patterns of international competition. Competition over computing power is no longer merely a matter of technological catch-up or industrial policy rivalry; rather, it constitutes a structural political-economic process deeply embedded in global value chains, institutional arrangements, and the distribution of power. From a political economy perspective, under the intensifying U.S.–China strategic competition and the growing entanglement of security and technology restrictions, competition over computing power has undergone a marked structural transformation. This is reflected in the hierarchical stratification of the global computing system, the fragmentation of industrial chains, and the regionalization of technological cooperation.
Against this backdrop, China–South Korea cooperation in computing power has become increasingly constrained in upper-end or frontier technology sectors. At the same time, however, the two countries still retain room for expanded cooperation in the overlapping middle- and lower-end segments, particularly in the layer where computing power is combined with practical applications, such as computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence applications. Given the relative controllability of security risks, the feasibility of tiered cooperation, and the principle of factor complementarity, key areas for bilateral cooperation may include midstream industrial chains, digital infrastructure, and AI application scenarios. In addition, the alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and South Korea’s strategy for building an AI powerhouse may further broaden the space for cooperation.
Under the evolving global power structure surrounding computing power, China and South Korea are likely to pursue a pattern of limited yet structural cooperation. The evolution of such cooperation will continue to display dynamic characteristics in which cooperation and competition coexist, while openness and constraints remain intertwined. This study seeks to deepen understanding of the political economy logic of competition over computing power in the digital era, provide a new analytical perspective for examining the behavioral patterns of middle powers under structures of high-tech competition, and explore the potential space for China–South Korea cooperation.
KW - digital economy;computing power;structural power;China–South Korea cooperation;political economy
DO - 10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
ER -
Naying An and Xinhong Zhou. (2026). The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation. Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, 33(2), 115-150.
Naying An and Xinhong Zhou. 2026, "The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation", Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, vol.33, no.2 pp.115-150. Available from: doi:10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
Naying An, Xinhong Zhou "The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation" Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies 33.2 pp.115-150 (2026) : 115.
Naying An, Xinhong Zhou. The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation. 2026; 33(2), 115-150. Available from: doi:10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
Naying An and Xinhong Zhou. "The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation" Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies 33, no.2 (2026) : 115-150.doi: 10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
Naying An; Xinhong Zhou. The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation. Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, 33(2), 115-150. doi: 10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
Naying An; Xinhong Zhou. The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation. Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies. 2026; 33(2) 115-150. doi: 10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
Naying An, Xinhong Zhou. The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation. 2026; 33(2), 115-150. Available from: doi:10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
Naying An and Xinhong Zhou. "The Structural Characteristics of Competition over Computing Power in the Digital Economy and the Political Economy Logic of China–South Korea Cooperation" Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies 33, no.2 (2026) : 115-150.doi: 10.18107/japs.2026.33.2.004
