China’s total research and development (R&D) spending reached ¥97.1 trillion ($653 billion) in 2024, surpassing that of the United States for the first time and becoming the world’s largest, according to Japan’s “Science and Technology Indicators 2026,” cited by Nikkei Chinese. China’s R&D spending increased 13.1 percent year over year, compared with a 6.7 percent increase in the United States, whose spending reached ¥95.3 trillion. Japan ranked third at ¥22.1 trillion, followed by Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and France.
The report, published annually by Japan’s National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, evaluates major countries across five areas, including R&D expenditures and research personnel, using about 160 indicators. The latest edition is based on data through 2024. China’s R&D growth was driven primarily by corporate investment, with business R&D spending rising 13 percent to ¥75.4 trillion. The computer, electronics, and optical-products manufacturing sector recorded particularly strong growth.
The report attributed part of the increase to China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology following U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors and manufacturing equipment introduced in 2022. Facing tighter access to advanced technologies, China has accelerated domestic R&D in areas including supercomputing and artificial intelligence, reflecting Beijing’s broader push for technological self-reliance.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 11, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202608110283.aspx