Beating China is moot since they will steal any technology breakthrough.
I worry less about China stealing technology than our people giving or selling it to them without regard for the cost to the country. They can’t easily steal it unless we allow them access to sensitive areas, look the other way when they are caught stealing, or trade our technology for access to their markets. We left the door open, it’s no wonder they walked right in a took things. In some cases, people here helped them carry it out.
On top of that, China will lie, cheat, steal, or simply take by force supplies of rare earth minerals or whatever other natural resources they need in order to dominate the field.