China is swiftly asserting itself as a global leader in science and technology, currently dominating 37 out of 44 technological sectors, according to a study from an Australian think tank. This research underscores China’s significant advancements across critical and emerging technologies.
“Our research reveals that China has built the foundations to position itself as the world’s leading science and technology superpower, by establishing a sometimes stunning lead in high-impact research across the majority of critical and emerging technology domains,” states the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in its Critical Technology Tracker.
“China’s global lead extends to 37 out of 44 technologies that ASPI is now tracking, covering a range of crucial technology fields spanning defense, space, robotics, energy, the environment, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and key quantum technology areas,” the report further emphasizes.
In contrast, the United States trails behind China in these sectors, managing to secure a lead in only seven technology categories.
ASPI also highlights China’s significant position as a hub of scientific research, revealing that the country hosts “all of the world’s top 10 leading research institutions” and produces “nine times more high-impact research papers than the second-ranked country (most often the U.S.).”
Among the many areas where China excels, defense and space technology stand out. However, the United States still maintains its lead in the following seven categories:

1. High-performance computing
2. Advanced integrated circuit design and fabrication
3. Natural language processing (including speech and text recognition and analysis)
4. Quantum computing
5. Vaccines and medical countermeasures
6. Small satellites
7. Space launch systems

“Western democracies are losing the global technological competition, including the race for scientific and research breakthroughs, and the ability to retain global talent — crucial ingredients that underpin the development and control of the world’s most important technologies, including those that don’t yet exist,” the report warns.
The findings of the tracker are framed as “a wake-up call for democratic nations.”
“The race to be the next most important technological powerhouse is a close one between the U.K. and India, both of which claim a place in the top five countries in 29 of the 44 technologies,” the tracker reports. “South Korea and Germany follow closely behind, appearing in the top five countries in 20 and 17 technologies, respectively.”
“Australia is in the top five for nine technologies, followed closely by Italy (seven technologies), Iran (six), Japan (four) and Canada (four). Russia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, France, Malaysia and the Netherlands are in the top five for one or two technologies. A number of other countries, including Spain and Turkey, regularly make the top 10 countries but aren’t in the top five,” it adds.
This new data emphasizes the growing technological power of China and highlights the challenges other nations, including Western democracies, face in maintaining their competitive edge in the technological race.
{Matzav.com}