VoxTalks Economics S8 Ep26: The rise of China in academic research
May 23, 2025
Luc Laeven, an economist at the European Central Bank and CEPR, discusses China’s remarkable rise in academic research, revealing how it has evolved from a knowledge consumer to a global leader in just two decades. He delves into the implications of China's strategic reforms initiated in 2006, contrasting their centralized research model with Western practices. The conversation highlights the surging quality and quantity of Chinese research, the challenges of measuring impact, and examines how Europe can revamp its funding strategies to compete in this new landscape.
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China's 2006 Research Shift
- China’s 2006 National Medium and Long-Term Programme marked a shift from technology adaptation to innovation.
- Its goal was to make China a global science power by 2050, focusing on new technologies like nanotech and biotech.
US Leads via Funding and Talent
- US academic dominance rose from federal funding and attracting global talent.
- China currently relies mostly on homegrown research but may attract more talent in the future.
Research Fuels Growth and Innovation
- Academic research drives innovation essential for economic growth and daily life improvements.
- Examples include biotechnology, semiconductors, and DARPA’s role in creating the internet.