China's Program for Science and Technology Modernization: Implications for American Competitiveness

摘要

Viewing science and technology as the key to economic development and international competitiveness, the government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has launched a comprehensive effort to become an innovative nation by 2020 and a global scientific power by 2050. Chinas effort will draw significantly on the resources and planning role of the state, whose national science programs have long made targeted investments in research and development (R&D) efforts in areas deemed critical to Chinas economic and military needs. The Chinese government recognizes that national science programs alone are not capable of sustaining the leapfrogging scientific capabilities the PRC now seeks. Although they have aided Chinas technological advance substantially, these programs have not yet fostered the widespread commercialization of internationally-competitive technologies originating from Chinese R&D efforts.