China is reported to have an overwhelming research and development (R&D) advantage in 37 out of 44 major promising technology sectors. Meanwhile, the United States is said to have secured the leading position in 7 sectors.
On the 2nd (local time), according to major foreign media, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released a report analyzing the number of papers and citation counts in major promising technology sectors published in top scientific journals.
The report evaluated that China holds an almost monopolistic position in 8 sectors, including nanomaterial manufacturing, hydrogen power, and synthetic biology, out of the 37 sectors. Other sectors where China leads include supersonics, electric batteries, and wireless communications.
The report stated, "China accounted for 48.49% of highly influential papers published in the advanced aviation engine sector over the past five years," noting that considering this, China's progress in supersonic missiles in 2021 is not surprising.
It also identified the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a national institution, as the core of China's research and development, explaining that it ranked first or second in most of the 44 sectors.
The report analyzed that the 'inflow' of overseas knowledge was also a factor giving China a competitive edge. According to the report, one-fifth of China's top researchers completed graduate studies in the 'Five Eyes'?an English-speaking intelligence-sharing alliance comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
On the other hand, the United States was evaluated to have secured the leading position in the remaining 7 sectors, including vaccines, quantum computers, and space launch systems.
Meanwhile, the countries that entered the top 5 rankings in the most sectors were South Korea and Germany. South Korea appeared in 20 sectors, and Germany in 17 sectors.
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