US study finds China’s tech innovation ‘much stronger’ than previously understood

Can China innovate and outcompete the US in their pitched battle for technological supremacy?

A 20-month investigation into the innovation performance of 44 Chinese firms across key technologies – including nuclear power, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and materials science – revealed a troubling yes for the US.

On Wednesday, analysts from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington think tank, presented their findings at a Capitol Hill event, urging US politicians and policymakers to tackle the challenges posed by Chinese innovation.

“Overall we find that while the Chinese innovation system is not perfect, it is much stronger than it was previously understood,” ITIF’s Stephen Ezell told the gathering.

Evidence to date suggested China had yet to take the lead overall, but “it has pulled ahead in certain areas and in many others Chinese firms will likely equal or surpass Western firms within a decade or so”, he added.