Chinese research needs more funds, less haste
Today, developed countries are technological powerhouses. By relying on a leading position in certain fields, they have managed to establish a virtuous circle of growth: cutting-edge technologies lead them to become monopolies, which generate supernormal profits that can be used in massive investment in research and development, which eventually reinforces their leading position. The virtuous circle is also what China wants.
Fundamentally, technology determines the upper limit of a country’s productivity. Professionals in major industries matter the most, because the profits they make percolate down to the entire country through a national distribution system. However, this simple principle is neglected by many economists, who focus on culture, national system and other elements.
Thus, some argue that China’s development depends on the “generosity” of the US. Once Washington stops being generous, China’s economy will instantly collapse. In their view, China is weak in science and technology and only survives on the industries transferred from foreign countries and the international market.
Such an argument is ludicrous. In fact, statistics have proven that China’s science and technology is as developed as that of the UK, France, Germany and Japan, but still lags the US’ by a wide margin. Having a clear vision of the landscape will help us decide what to do.
China’s massive investment has greatly boosted the development of science and technology in the recent decade. However, there is still more we can do because research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP is still below average. World Bank statistics show that in 2015, China’s expenditure on science and technology accounted for 2 percent of its GDP, only slightly higher than that of the UK, Canada and Spain, which have been on the wane in innovation in recent years.
Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea, whose R&D account for 3 and 4 percent of their GDP respectively, are improving their competitive edge. Recent decades have seen South Korea grow from scratch to being a world leader in many high-tech fields, all of which should be attributed to their significant investment in science and technology.
China’s expenditure on R&D is on the rise but still lags the first-tier technological powerhouses. It is expected that China may up its expenditure to 4 percent – as much as South Korea’s.
Besides capital investment, we should improve the environment to facilitate academic research and technological development. Breakthroughs in science and technology cannot be organized or even anticipated. We shouldn’t strive for quick success or instant benefits, but focus on innovation by persevering.
For example, particle physicists, while applying for funds to build a new accelerator, have to write down in the application forms a lot of clichéd results, the number of which will determine their chance of getting the money. However, breakthroughs are usually made in an unpredictable manner. Samuel C. C. Ting, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, discovered the subatomic J/psi particle out of the blue. Great discoveries cannot be predicted – this is a common-sense approach recognized in academia, but hindered by red tape.
Not only results cannot be forecast, the application of a certain technology or scientific discovery is always beyond anticipation. Max Planck founded quantum mechanics in 1900, and Albert Einstein formulated the Theory of Relativity in 1905.
The two greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th century have become the pillars of many great technological achievements in the modern era. However, as a result of the curiosity cherished by scientists, they were regarded as purely academic with no practical use in the beginning.
Basic science and technology research is essential to a country’s technological advancement. Even if some research has no practical value, it shouldn’t be neglected. It would be too late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.
We must respect and encourage the randomness of inspiration in scientific research. Scientists should not be treated as workers in an assembly line, and their research cannot be standardized in a cookie cutter.
We must understand that long-term scientific development is driven by curiosity instead of utilitarianism. China stands at the crossroads to cultivate a sustainable outlook on science and technology. We will have a promising future if we can continuously increase our investment as well as create a friendlier environment for scientific and technological development.