The Rise of Tech in China

China has already positioned itself as a potential key science and technology superpower. The Asian giant may have “striking leadership” over the US in high-impact research in critical and emerging technologies, notes the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). The report says the US is the leading innovator in only seven technologies — including quantum computing and vaccines — and ranks second to China in most other categories. While a “second tier” of countries — including India, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany and Australia — have also developed advanced research capabilities, they still lag far behind the two great powers.

ASPI’s Jamie Gaida, who co-authored the report, said while China’s research edge did not translate into technological superiority right now, Beijing had built the foundations to position itself as the world’s leading science and technology power.