Electric cars are part of a broader debate about the country’s industrial ambitions. Under a plan called Made in China 2025, China hopes to become a dominant player in a number of other futuristic new technologies, like artificial intelligence and robotics. Chinese officials argue that the push will help develop China’s economy and make it less dependent on foreign technology, a dependence that could expose it to security risks.

Some business groups and lawmakers — and increasingly, members of President Trump’s administration — say company executives give away valuable trade secrets for the sake of short-term gains.

“Multinational firms are already starting to cave in to China’s policies, putting in jeopardy the future of this sector and countless jobs and economic benefits,” said Michael Wessel, a commissioner of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which was set up by Congress to monitor the bilateral relationship.

Auto executives insist that they are using good judgment. Rules that China issued in January requiring them to share technology are vaguely worded and could allow at least some components to be made abroad and imported. Chinese officials said here this weekend at China’s main annual automotive technology conference that they would introduce policies that would help attract more foreign investment in its new-energy vehicles, giving some hope to foreign auto executives.

“We have no concerns relative to the amount of I.P. that has to be shared,” said Matt Tsien, the president of G.M.’s China operations, referring to intellectual property.

General Motors has been collaborating with its partner, the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, on advanced hybrid cars like the Chevrolet Volt, which G.M. brought to China last spring as the Buick Velite. Hybrids like the Volt run on both battery power and gasoline.

“We have a philosophy, from an overall perspective, that we build where we sell,” Mr. Tsien said.

Ford said only that it would comply with all Chinese rules on joint ventures and that its new pact with China’s Zotye Auto is preliminary. Renault-Nissan said that its new joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor, called eGT, will design a new electric car that will be produced at a Dongfeng factory in the Chinese city of Shiyan. Honda Motor is planning to make an electric car in China next year, while Toyota plans to make a plug-in hybrid car in the country.