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China’s catch-up model in science faces growing constraints
Scholars cited external headwinds and limited room left to replicate past advances, warning China’s innovation momentum could slow further.
As China’s period of catch-up growth fades, experts warn the country’s ambition to lead in scientific innovation is being constrained by issues inside its research system and by worsening conditions outside, according to a dialogue held at the Shanghai Academy of Natural Sciences. SCMP Economy reports that Lu Bai, a neurobiologist and president of SANS, said China had previously used Western scientific advances to make swift progress across multiple fields, but that model has become less viable as the “path is narrowing” for two reasons: growing resistance from the external environment and the reduced ability to simply replicate earlier work. Lu Bai pointed to rigid institutional arrangements that prioritize performance metrics over creativity, and to an ingrained deference to authority, as core challenges that could weigh on China’s tech and scientific momentum, the outlet said, citing a transcript published by The Intellectual on July 27.