Retired aerospace engineer here.
We researched similar materials in the 1980s. For example, hafnium carbide was one of the heat shielding materials we looked at.
We had problems. How do you attach such shielding to your vehicle? Can the fasteners withstand the temperature? Will the fasteners transmit the heat to the vehicle structure? What insulation can be used?
It’s a complex set of problems.
As for Chinese engineering, yes, they have limitations as a group. But they have some brilliant people as well and graduate a lot of engineers yearly.
Never underestimate your opponents.
Look at every major American research university and their mathematics, sciences and engineering department staff, fellows and PhD candidates look at the last names of those who are publishing research here a nd doing post doctoral work. They don’t need to steal at all those people are here getting educated and trained then they go home and bring that skill set with them. I teach and do research on the regular half the staff is Chinese or Indian nationals in all the math and sciences. US kids want to do liberal arts, media and law the Asians are all doing pure math and sciences. A country run by Engineers win vs lawyers every time.
“Never underestimate your opponents.”
Many here seem to........................