Measuring China's Science and Technology Progress: A Framework for Assessing Advances Affecting Military Capability
Abstract
Although Chinas S and T base lags behind the cutting edge in some areas, in many technological fields of interest to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum sciences China is engaged in world-class S and T efforts. The S and T areas prioritized in Chinas 14th Five-Year Plan map strikingly well to DoDs modernization priorities as articulated by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. There is enough overlap to suggest that the United States and China are directly competing to make progress in many of the same advanced technology areas. Yet their differences indicate that China is pushing hard in some S and T categories such as new materials that DoD does not perceive (as of this writing) as critical. Tracking Chinas progress in the most militarily significant applications of overlapping technologies is clearly important. So, too, is understanding why China is putting significant effort into other areas and critically for DoD whether the PLA has identified some application for those technologies that has been overlooked or neglected by U.S. researchers and force planners.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2024
- Accession Number
- AD1226957
Entities
People
- Chad J. Ohlandt
- David A. Shlapak
- Jon Schmid
Organizations
- RAND Corporation