German media: China has far surpassed Europe in the global technology competition

The "Business Daily" comments that the latest survey shows that China's leading advantage in key technology fields is growing increasingly, and it is time for Germany and Europe to catch up. The "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" comments that China's rapid rise in the technology field also poses a challenge to the traditional scientific ideals of international cooperation and sharing.

The "Business Daily" comments that the image of German Chancellor Merkel visiting a robot factory in China not long ago not only demonstrates China's confidence in its indigenous scientific and technological innovation capabilities but also serves as a warning for Germany and Europe. This commentary titled "Europe is Becoming Increasingly Behind in the Global Technology Competition" states:

"From the latest 'Key Technology Tracking Report' released by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), one can see the severity of the current situation. According to the institute's data, China leads in 66 out of a total of 74 key technology areas. The institute points out that over the past two decades, the share of the EU, the United States, and the UK in high-tech R&D has been declining, while China continues to expand its leading advantage."

As early as 25 years ago, the EU made a decision in Lisbon to make the EU "a vibrant, innovative, and competitive region." However, in the face of the current situation, the EU's response remains the same: on one hand, it pursues protectionist policies, such as calling for the purchase of European goods, and on the other hand, under the strong promotion of France, it implements so-called national industrial policies. However, both of these approaches are likely to further widen the gap in Europe.

A study by the think tank Bruegel clearly points out the essence of the issue: What aspects of China's strategy to promote technological innovation are worth learning from in Europe? The experts at the think tank believe that Europe suffers from a phenomenon called "fragmented achievements," where strong research capabilities are isolated, thus failing to form scale and business models. In contrast, China can highly concentrate resources in core research areas, combine government funding with industrial goals, thereby giving rise to growth industries that dominate the global market."

The "Business Daily" comments that if the EU does not carry out corresponding reforms, it will continue to lose its advantages in the innovation competition with China. Because Europe is overly reliant on regulation, the process from technological innovation to achieving a market scale is extremely long.

"If the EU's industrial policy is aimed at maintaining prosperity, it should not focus solely on preserving jobs, but rather promote productivity and value creation. Bruegel believes that Europe should learn from China's 'targeted subsidy' logic: providing targeted funding within a given period, with the intensity of funding linked to measurable technological progress and market spillover effects, and welcoming the participation of private investment. Public procurement should also systematically become a demand engine for key technologies. Bruegel recommends that by 2028, more than 30% of public contracts should use EU artificial intelligence and chip technologies."

If Europe cannot take the lead in future technology fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductors, it will not only lose economic prosperity but also lose the financial capability to maintain military threats and the associated geopolitical independence. Therefore, Europe must have its own science and technology innovation agenda."

"Chinese-style scientism"

The "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" published a commentary titled "The Science and Technology of Made in China" stating: When science and technology are "nationalized," a kind of nationalist scientism emerges. "Chinese-style scientism" still focuses on knowledge, but with a clear goal: to achieve global leadership in knowledge and technology, because those who are at the forefront can set the rules."

Original: toutiao.com/article/1859291306081418/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author."