China’s rapid technological development could give it a much bigger role in the global economy, according to a European researcher who has worked in the country for years. Advances in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other high-tech industries are being supported by heavy research investment and a large pool of young scientists. Yet gaps remain in some fundamental research and core technologies as Beijing pushes towards greater technological self-reliance.
Innovation gathers pace
A former European Academy of Sciences academician writing for the Global Times argued that China has developed a large and increasingly effective innovation system rather than relying on isolated technological breakthroughs. Sustained spending on research and development, combined with one of the world’s largest R&D workforces, has helped drive that progress.
Young researchers are playing an important part, with many project leaders in major national R&D programmes under 45. International cooperation also remains significant despite China’s push for technological independence, with science and technology partnerships established across more than 100 countries and regions.
Artificial intelligence offers one example of the country’s growing ambitions. DeepSeek’s recent models have drawn attention to architectural efficiency and algorithmic optimisation, while Chinese AI systems have gained prominent positions on global open-source and API leaderboards. However, the academic acknowledged that China still has ground to make up in some areas of basic research and key technologies.
Global ambitions grow
Technology could also strengthen China’s position in international trade. While the US and EU remain important partners, Chinese companies have expanded deeper into emerging markets and much of the Global South. Electric vehicles, solar equipment and lithium batteries are among the higher-value products supporting that expansion. Such diversification could make the country better positioned to handle protectionist measures from Western economies, the researcher argued.
Looking towards China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030, attracting more foreign specialists could further strengthen research and industrial cooperation. Continued investment, international collaboration and technological progress could ultimately help China assume a more central position in the world economy.
