In a landscape once dominated by Western labs, China has zoomed to the front lines of innovation. A recent study analyzing nearly 6 million academic papers reveals that Chinese researchers are now driving breakthroughs in fields from AI to clean energy. 🔬🚀
James Evans, Max Palevsky Professor in Sociology at the University of Chicago, led the analysis. “It’s astonishing how fast China has moved from a supporting role to a core player,” he tells Wang Guan in this edition of The Hub. The study shows China and the US – the world’s top two research powers – producing more joint papers and co-led projects than ever before. 🤝
Inside the labs of the School of AI at Beijing Institute of Technology, Professor Gai Keke highlights how national investments and a growing pool of talent fuel this rise. “Access to data and strong government support have let us scale up experimental AI research,” she says.
Meanwhile, Denis Simon, non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute, points out that international partnerships are key. “Collaborating on climate science and quantum computing helps both sides accelerate progress,” Simon notes.
Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, adds that open exchanges—conferences, scholar visits, and shared tech platforms—are breaking down barriers. “Innovation thrives when ideas flow freely across borders,” he explains.
For young researchers and entrepreneurs, this shift means more opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects. Whether you’re studying abroad or starting a tech startup, now is a great time to tap into cross-border collaborations. 🌏💡
As 2025 draws to a close, China’s rapid ascent shows that global science is no longer a one-way street. By learning from each other, the Chinese mainland and US can push the boundaries of knowledge and tackle challenges like climate change, health crises, and beyond. The future of research is collaborative—and it’s happening now. 🔗✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com