Abstract:    Under the backdrop of de-globalization, the construction of China′s industrial value chain not only pursues efficiency but also takes security into account. Especially for the strategic high-tech industries of latecomer countries, an autonomous and controllable industrial value chain that prioritizes security while considering efficiency profoundly influences their technological catch-up, economic development, and stability and security. In response to the theme of how to build an industrial value chain with the goal of autonomy and controllability in China, this paper conducted a longitudinal case study on China′s large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry from the perspective of system resilience, exploring the typical characteristics, construction paths, and boundary conditions of the "China Chain". The research findings are as follows: Firstly, unlike mass-produced manufactured goods that can begin as "embedded participants" to cultivate competitive advantages through deep engagement in global value chain (GVC) divisions, complex sensitive products like large UAVs must start as "dominant players" to avoid the "low-end lock-in" risks of embedded participation and secure control over core value chain segments. This paper thus extracted five dimensions of the "China Chain" model—applicable products, initial conditions, actors, action pathways, and operational logic—anchored in the "dominant player" starting point. Secondly, a processual theoretical framework for building autonomy and controllable China Chains was proposed: the two ends of the industrial value chain (R&D and service sectors) constitute critical junctures. System resilience operates through anticipatory and processbased mechanisms across these junctures. Technological innovation and organizational synergy serve as dual drivers for achieving autonomy and controllability. Thirdly, opportunity windows and China′s aviation industry collaboration model emerge as necessary conditions for constructing autonomy-controllable value chains. This study will contribute to expanding the system resilience theory, enrich the academic discourse on "China Chain", and unveil the "black box" of their construction. It will also offer practical insights for "chain-leading" enterprises to strengthen their dominant positions and spearhead innovation in global industrial value chains.

Key words:  China Chain, industrial value chain, autonomy and controllability, system resilience, large UAV industry