A recent report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) reveals that China has established a significant lead in critical and emerging technologies, surpassing the United States and other Western democracies in 37 out of 44 tracked fields. This development has profound implications for global power dynamics and technological innovation.
China’s technological supremacy
ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker indicates that China leads in various sectors, including defense, space, robotics, energy, environment, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced materials, and key quantum technologies. In certain areas, all of the world’s top ten research institutions are based in China, underscoring the country’s robust research infrastructure.
For instance, in advanced aircraft engines and hypersonic technology, China accounts for 48.49% of the world’s high-impact research papers, nearly five times more than the United States. Seven of the top ten research institutions in this domain are located in China, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences frequently ranking first or second across multiple critical technology areas.
Strategic investments and talent acquisition
China’s ascendancy in these technologies is the result of long-term strategic planning and substantial investments in research and development. The nation has effectively harnessed global talent, with a significant portion of its high-impact research involving scientists trained in Western democracies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This blend of domestic investment and international expertise has propelled China to the forefront of technological innovation.
Implications for the United States and its allies
While the United States maintains a lead in areas like high-performance computing, quantum computing, and vaccine development, it lags behind China in numerous other critical technologies. Countries such as India, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Germany trail even further, highlighting a widening gap in technological prowess.
This disparity poses significant risks. In the short term, China’s ability to swiftly translate research into commercial applications could grant it control over essential technological supply chains. Long-term, unchecked dominance in these fields may shift the global balance of power toward authoritarian regimes, where technological development lacks transparency and democratic accountability.
Call to action for democratic nations
The ASPI report serves as a clarion call for democratic nations to intensify collaboration and investment in critical technologies. Recommended actions include establishing national research and development funds for high-risk, high-reward projects, creating specialized scholarships to foster expertise in key areas, and strengthening international alliances to pool resources and knowledge.
Without immediate and coordinated efforts, democratic nations risk ceding technological leadership to China, with far-reaching consequences for global security, economic stability, and the preservation of democratic values.
