The development of strategic technology capabilities, especially in the defense and national security-related domains, is one of the highest priorities of the Chinese authorities in the 21st Century and is regarded as a core pillar of China’s rising national power and prestige. At the center of efforts to develop these core technologies is the strategic innovation system, which is made up of an elite collection of major organizational actors that straddle across the political, economic, industrial, national security, and science and technology systems. This article examines the rise, decline, and re-emergence of the Chinese strategic innovation system over the past six decades. Key topics that are scrutinized include the defense industry, the 863 High-Technology Research and Development Program, the 2006-2020 Medium- & Long-Term Science and Technology Development Plan, and the Strategic Emerging Industries initiative.