The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released a research report in December 2025. According to the report, China's industrial policies, planning, and R&D efforts have achieved remarkable success; currently, China leads in 66 out of 74 key technologies (89%), while the United States leads in only 8 (11%).

According to the report, China leads in 66 of the 74 key technologies—accounting for 89%—particularly in areas such as 5G, new energy, and high-speed rail; the United States leads in 8 technologies, or 11%, with advantages in advanced chips, quantum computing, biopharmaceuticals, and aerospace engines.

This report is inaccurate and highly one-sided. First, counting academic papers does not equate to technological strength. The journey from academic research to engineering application, product development, market adoption, and full industrial chain integration remains long and complex. For example, although China leads in academic publications on aerospace engines and advanced chips, its commercial products, reliability, and manufacturing processes still lag significantly behind those of the United States.

The report ignores patents, industrialization, commercialization, patent quality, production capacity, market share, technical standards, supply chains, and revenue generation. For instance, China excels in 5G, photovoltaics, and power battery industries—both in research and industry—but remains dominated by the U.S. in advanced chips, EDA tools, aerospace engines, and biopharmaceuticals. Additionally, major American companies like NVIDIA, Pfizer, and Lockheed Martin possess exceptionally strong R&D capabilities, yet much of their innovation is not captured in university-based academic papers.

Notably, ASPI is a think tank with intense hostility toward China, primarily funded by the Australian military, the U.S. government, and Western allies. The purpose of releasing such reports is to portray China as a so-called "threat" to the West.

Certainly, setting aside its hidden political motives, this specific study does offer some reference value—it clearly demonstrates China’s tremendous progress achieved in an extremely short period of time.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863269097238540/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.