Resilience Under Pressure: An Integrated Analysis of Progress, Challenges, and Strategies in China’s Supply Chain Risk Management

Abstract

In an era marked by heightened geopolitical tensions and systemic disruptions, building resilient supply chains has become a strategic imperative for national economies. Against the background of global industrial chain restructuring, China’s supply chain risk management is complex. Despite possessing a vast and integrated industrial ecosystem, China’s supply chains confront acute vulnerabilities, including ‘chokepoint’ technological blockades and the fragile resilience of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through an integrated analysis of contrasting case studies, this paper elucidates the divergent strategies and outcomes in managing these risks. The case of Huawei’s ‘de-Americanized’ supply chain restructuring, under extreme technological blockade and with supportive government intervention, epitomizes the severe external shocks and strategic responses. In contrast, the persistent digitalization gap and reactive risk management observed in a Wenzhoubased automotive SME reveal pervasive internal fragilities and the complex transmission of risks along the supply network. Conversely, the ‘capital-technology-ecology’ trinity model of international cooperation, as exemplified by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), demonstrates a proactive pathway for mitigating resource dependence and building systemic resilience through strategic global embeddedness. The findings underscore the need for tailored strategies across different firm types and industries. Future research should integrate firsthand data with emerging technologies, such as AI, to develop more dynamic and operational risk management frameworks, thereby supporting the digital transformation and optimization of China’s industrial supply chains.