<
https://theconversation.com/china-surpasses-us-in-research-spending-the-consequences-extend-far-beyond-scientific-ranking-and-clout-280543>
"China’s rapid rise in science has hit a milestone. The country’s investment in
research and development has reached parity with – and by purchasing power
measures has surpassed – that of the United States, according to a March 2026
report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Both
nations have crossed the US$1 trillion threshold on research spending.
For 80 years, the U.S. operated the most productive scientific and
technological enterprise in human history. Breakthroughs and advances that came
from American labs included the internet; the mRNA vaccine; the transistor and
its children, semiconductors and microprocessors; the Global Positioning
System; and many more.
U.S. scientific and technological leadership was nurtured by sustained public
investment in research universities and federal laboratories, as well as a
culture of open inquiry. These investments turned scientific discovery into
economic strength – accounting for more than 20% of all U.S. productivity
growth since World War II.
In contrast, China had previously spent little to nothing on research and
development. Some estimates show that China was among the lowest research
spenders worldwide in 1980.
As a policy analyst and public affairs researcher, I study international
collaboration in science and technology and its implications for public and
foreign policy. I have tracked China’s rise across every major database for
more than a decade.
The most recent reports showing that China is now outspending the U.S. on
scientific and technological research is a turning point worth understanding
clearly because, historically, global leadership in one sector – including
technology and warfare – feeds into others. U.S. dominance is in question."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
