Leaders | Brain gain

How worrying is the rapid rise of Chinese science?

If America wants to maintain its lead, it should focus less on keeping China down

A light bulb glowing red with the Chinese flag
image: The Economist/Juanjo Gasull

IF THERE IS one thing the Chinese Communist Party and America’s security hawks agree on, it is that innovation is the secret to geopolitical, economic and military superiority. President Xi Jinping hopes that science and technology will help his country overtake America. Using a mix of export controls and sanctions, politicians in Washington are trying to prevent China from gaining a technological advantage.

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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The rise of Chinese science ”

From the June 15th 2024 edition

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