Innovative model of Сhina’s economic leadership in the post-globalization world

The article examines the innovative model of economic leadership in the People’s Republic of China in the context of post-globalization. It is substantiated that the modern Chinese economy functions as an institutionally integrated system of innovation-driven development, in which the state, business, and science form a synergistic interaction. Based on the theoretical frameworks of J. Schumpeter, B. Lundvall, R. Nelson, as well as the institutional approach and the concept of structural power by S. Strange, the study demonstrates that China’s model combines state strategic planning with market incentives, forming a new type of “state-coordinated innovative capitalism.” Using data from international organizations (World Bank, OECD, IMF, WIPO), the paper proves that the growing share of hightech sectors in GDP, the expansion of digital services, and the development of knowledgeintensive industries have ensured the resilience of China’s economic growth amid global turbulence. Special attention is paid to the geo-economic dimension of China’s innovation leadership, which is implemented through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Digital Silk Road, as well as the introduction of the digital yuan (e-CNY). The study reveals that technology has become a tool of China’s structural power, shaping an alternative architecture of globalization based on knowledge, data, and technological sovereignty. It is concluded that China is constructing a new paradigm of economic leadership in which innovation emerges as the key driver of global competitiveness and a crucial mechanism in forming a polycentric world order.