Human Enhancement with Chinese Characteristics : Public Discourse Patterns on Human-machine Teaming in the People’s Republic of China

Abstract

The challenge for the European Union to find suitable responses in the ongoing security dialogue with the People’s Republic of China has intensified during recent years. In this context, a closer look into China’s ongoing domestic discourses can yield valuable insights. By integrating current trends of Chinese public debates into European foresight analysis the picture for security policy decision-making may be rounded off. To this end, the essay examines public discourse patterns on the topic of innovative human-machine teaming in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with special consideration of the human enhancement aspect and the Chinese national security approach. The findings of this micro-study illustrate that in the framework of a normative setting “with Chinese Characteristics” the discursive patterns on cognitive human enhancement and human-machine teaming are strictly controlled. In particular, the domestic Chinese cultural sector is assigned a responsible role in mainstreaming the relevant public debate.