China Tech Observatory

China is now a major science and technology power integral to global innovation networks, a key driver of R&D activity, and a world leader in several important technologies.

With support by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), the MERICS’ China Tech Observatory taps our experts for crucial insights into China’s tech plans and progress, using qualitative and quantitative analysis in areas most relevant to Germany, Europe, and China. The next few years will be decisive for keeping Germany and Europe competitive with China in technology.

picture alliance / dpa | Chinafotopress/sun Shubao

About the CTO project

The China Tech Observatory takes stock of China's progress in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, green technologies, internet and communication technologies, biotechnology and quantum technology. It helps German and European decision-makers in government, business, and other areas devise strategies to maintain competitiveness and assess how to cooperate with China. The next few years will be decisive for keeping Germany and Europe competitive with China in technology.

The focus areas include fundamental technologies and force multipliers for growth and technological progress as well as the main arenas of global technological competition. All are included in the list of critical technology areas for the EU’s economic security adopted by the European Commission in October 2023. MERICS’ China Tech Observatory project will contribute to essential risk assessments in these areas.

The project will combine qualitative analysis of China’s innovation policy and ecology with quantitative data analysis on research funding, scientific papers, patents, capital investment and technology trade. For each of the six technologies, the dashboard will include an assessment of China's progress, current data to help evaluate it, and a timeline of the most important developments. Regular updates will highlight important regulations, technological breakthroughs and stakeholder changes. We will summarize and share these updates in a quarterly newsletter for decision-makers.

MERICS will also host a series of internal workshops, bringing China experts together with technology experts, and policymakers with economic actors. These are designed to identify knowledge gaps, ensure the project resonates with European stakeholders and improve its recommendations.

To foster independent data work on China, MERICS will also convene an annual data conference for those who work with Chinese data from European universities, think tanks, media organizations and companies. The project will also establish a network and help Europe manage the growing challenge of obtaining information on China.

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