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China is the new science power: How will Europe respond? - DW - 11/05/2025

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 6:51 GMT by dw
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China’s 2025–2035 Vision

China’s ambition is outlined in the 14th Five‑Year Plan (2021‑2025) and the National Strategy for Science and Technology Innovation 2025–2035. The nation’s investment in research and development (R&D) rose from 2.1 % of GDP in 2010 to a projected 2.9 % by 2035, a figure that would place China among the world’s top three R&D spenders. The plan sets concrete targets: to double the size of its national science budget, to cultivate a core group of world‑class laboratories, and to become a global leader in high‑tech sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum information, biotechnology, and space technology.

A key element of China’s strategy is the “Made in China 2025” program, which earmarks subsidies for industry–research partnerships, creates talent hubs in regions like Shenzhen and Shanghai, and incentivizes large corporations to fund basic research. China also leverages its “dual‑track” funding system, combining state grants with market‑driven venture capital and private‑sector participation, creating an environment where high‑risk, high‑payoff projects can thrive.

Rapid Growth in Science Output

The Deutsche Welle piece cites an analysis by the Nature Index and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). China has become the largest contributor to global research publications, with a 2023 count of 4.5 million peer‑reviewed papers – more than double the United States. In citation‑rich fields such as nanotechnology, materials science, and AI, Chinese researchers appear in the top 20 % of most‑cited papers worldwide.

In patents, China is now the world’s leader, with over 1.5 million patents granted in 2023, surpassing the United States. The rise in high‑tech patents is not merely a quantity story; the novelty and impact scores, measured by the Global Innovation Index, are also climbing, reflecting advances in fields like quantum computing and autonomous vehicles.

The article points out that China’s output is driven by a blend of top‑down policy, massive funding, and a workforce of highly educated scientists. A 2023 survey of Chinese university graduates revealed that 85 % hold a master’s degree or higher, and that a significant proportion of PhDs are awarded in STEM disciplines with direct commercial potential.

Digital Silk Road and Global Reach

Beyond national borders, China is expanding its influence through the Digital Silk Road initiative, which links Asian, African, and European countries via high‑speed internet, 5G, and AI collaborations. The Deutsche Welle piece examines how European partners may be drawn into joint research consortia or technology transfer agreements that could expose them to Chinese intellectual property concerns.

The article references the European Union’s “Digital Decoupling” strategy, which calls for a clear framework to ensure that EU companies are not dependent on Chinese critical technologies, particularly in telecommunications and cloud computing. Critics argue that a sudden decoupling could stall collaborative projects that drive scientific breakthroughs, especially in life sciences where data sharing is essential.

Europe’s Current R&D Landscape

Within Europe, the European Union’s Horizon Europe program is the flagship research framework. The article notes that in 2021, EU R&D spending accounted for about 3 % of European GDP. The European Commission announced a €100 billion “Innovation Fund” to accelerate the uptake of clean energy technologies, but the fund has been critiqued for under‑representing life‑science research.

European scientists also face a “brain drain” problem. Many high‑talent researchers have migrated to the United States or China for better funding and career prospects. The Deutsche Welle piece includes data from the European Commission that shows a 12 % drop in PhDs applying for EU research positions between 2018 and 2022.

The European Response: Cooperation or Competition?

The article explores multiple European policy responses to China’s ascendancy. One line of thought proposes deeper collaboration, arguing that open science and shared data will accelerate innovation globally. However, the piece notes that the EU’s “Open Research Europe” portal, which aggregates research outputs from EU institutions, has seen a 20 % uptick in downloads of papers authored by Chinese collaborators, raising concerns about data sovereignty and the protection of EU intellectual property.

Another response highlighted is the EU’s “Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda,” which aims to identify critical technology domains where European companies should invest heavily to stay competitive. The piece points to the strategic priority of quantum technologies, where EU states are forming the Quantum Flagship consortium, allocating €1.4 billion over ten years. Yet, it also shows that China’s “Quantum Network” project has achieved a fully‑operational quantum key distribution network covering 200 000 km, potentially outpacing European progress.

The article also discusses the European Commission’s “National Innovation Strategies,” wherein member states are tasked with crafting tailored plans to boost domestic R&D. Germany, for instance, is pushing for “Industrie 4.0” integration with AI, while France is investing heavily in biotech and life sciences through its “Investissement d’avenir” program.

Risk Assessment and Safeguards

From a risk perspective, the piece underscores the geopolitical dimension. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) extends beyond infrastructure into scientific infrastructure, raising questions about dual‑use technologies. The EU’s “Dual Use Research of Concern” (DURC) guidelines are mentioned as a protective measure to prevent the misuse of scientific knowledge.

Additionally, the article highlights the importance of strengthening EU data protection laws. With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) already in place, the EU faces the challenge of negotiating research agreements that do not compromise citizen privacy while enabling data sharing with Chinese counterparts.

Looking Ahead: Policy Recommendations

In its conclusion, the Deutsche Welle article outlines a set of policy recommendations for European leaders:

1. Increase R&D Budget – Raise the EU’s R&D spending to 4 % of GDP, with a specific focus on high‑tech sectors such as quantum computing, AI, and biotechnology.

2. Strengthen Intellectual Property Protections – Amend trade agreements to include robust IP enforcement, especially in digital and high‑tech fields.

3. Create a European Science Talent Pool – Incentivize PhDs and post‑docs to remain within EU institutions through scholarships, sabbatical opportunities, and career advancement programs.

4. Establish a European Digital Sovereignty Framework – Develop a coordinated approach to secure data infrastructure and reduce reliance on non‑EU cloud providers.

5. Forge Strategic Partnerships with China on Mutual Interests – Design collaborative frameworks that ensure data sovereignty, clear IP rights, and shared safety protocols, particularly in life sciences and climate research.

The piece concludes that Europe’s future hinges on how it navigates this new global science order. Whether it chooses to confront or collaborate with China will determine the continent’s role in the next wave of scientific discovery and technological innovation.