China Leading Global Technology Competition: West Losing Ground
The U.S. often ranks second, while China has "stunning leadership" in 37 of 44 critical technology fields

A new study by the Australian Security Institute (ASPI) has found that China has "stunning leadership" in 37 of 44 critical technology areas. While Western democracies are losing the global competition for research results, some of the world's best research institutions occupy their places in China. The United States often ranks second, but leads the world in research in areas such as high-performance computing, quantum computing, small satellites and vaccines. The study recommends democratic nations cooperate more often to create secure supply chains and pursue "rapid pursuit of strategic critical technology." The study also calls for greater investment in research by governments to win the global competition for technological advances.
The Chinese government has achieved "breathtaking leadership in high-impact research" through its government programs, the study said. China has produced 48.49% of the world's cited scientific papers on advanced aircraft engines and hypersonic technology over the past five years. It also hosts seven of the world's top ten research institutions in this field. In photonic sensors and quantum communications, China's research strength could make it "invisible" to surveillance by Western intelligence agencies such as the "Five Eyes" - the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
The study also noted national talent flows of researchers and identified monopoly risks. China is expected to have a monopoly in 10 areas, it said, including synthetic biology, where it conducts one-third of all research, as well as electric batteries, 5G and nanomanufacturing. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, a government research institution, ranked first or second in most of the 44 technology areas tracked. The study suggests visa screening programs should limit illegal technology transfers and instead favor international cooperation with security allies. Australia's universities have confirmed that they comply with laws to prevent illegal technology transfers to China, but also emphasize that international collaboration is an integral part of university research.
