China Science And Technology News

[Beijingwalker]

China Leads Nature Index for Third Year Amid U.S. Sanctions​

U.S. sanctions boost Chinese research; South Korea 7th, no institutions in top 50
By Kwak Soo-keun
Published 2026.06.11. 21:03Updated 2026.06.11. 21:17

The 500-meter aperture spherical radio telescope 'FAST' in Guizhou Province, China. /Wikimedia Commons

In the 'Nature Index' rankings, a key indicator of national scientific research capabilities, China has maintained the top position for three consecutive years, further widening the gap with the United States.

While the U.S. has blocked exports of advanced semiconductors to China and restricted science and technology exchanges, China’s scientific research output has surged.

As scientific paper achievements are a leading indicator of future commercializable technologies, some analyses suggest the balance of power in the U.S.-China tech hegemony competition is tilting toward China.

South Korea remained 7th in the national rankings, unchanged from last year, but no domestic institutions entered the top 50 in the organizational rankings. Seoul National University, the highest-ranked Korean institution, fell six spots to 58th place compared to last year.

◇China Secures 90% of Top 10 Research Institutions

Springer Nature, which publishes the international academic journal *Nature*, announced the 'Nature Index 2026' rankings on the 10th, local time. The Nature Index aggregates contributions of countries and institutions to high-quality research papers in major global journals and conferences, serving as a credible international benchmark for scientific research capabilities.

Leading the national rankings, China’s paper contribution score was 52,735, double that of the U.S. (26,006) in second place. While China’s score grew by 22.4% over the past year, the U.S. saw only a 4.2% increase. The institutional rankings further highlight China’s dominance: the Chinese Academy of Sciences ranked first, Zhejiang University second, and Harvard University third, dropping one spot from last year. Positions 4–10 were all Chinese institutions, with nine of the top 10 spots claimed by China. Europe’s Max Planck Institute fell outside the top 10 for the first time, while France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) remained at 16th.

In the scientific community, U.S. pressure is seen as accelerating China’s research ecosystem self-reliance. Over recent years, the U.S. has restricted exports of advanced semiconductors, AI (artificial intelligence) accelerators, and quantum technology-related equipment to China. Chinese universities and institutions have responded by accelerating technology development with domestic resources. Some observers describe this as a paradoxical outcome where external pressure, like a ‘cornered rat,’ has strengthened cohesion among Chinese government, universities, and research bodies, expediting ecosystem growth.

The most symbolic change this year was Harvard University ceding the top spot to Zhejiang University, alma mater of DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng. Harvard, which had held the top position since the Nature Index began in 2015, dropped to second place for the first time. Zhejiang University’s paper contribution score grew by 22.7%, while Harvard’s increased by only 0.6%. Zhejiang’s rise is seen as a symbol of China’s science and technology ecosystem growth. Nine Chinese universities appeared in this year’s top 10 university rankings.

Conversely, U.S. university rankings declined due to legal battles between the Donald Trump administration and Harvard, as well as federal research funding cuts. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) fell from 18th to 21st, and Stanford University dropped from 13th to 14th.

China’s university rise was not sudden. For years, it pursued a ‘talent black hole’ strategy, attracting global talent with special residency permits, lucrative salaries, ample research funding, and tenure-free professorships. This includes recruiting overseas scholars, such as Fields Medal winners, to Chinese institutions.

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings Nine Chinese institutions dominate top 10 as U.S. restrictions spur Beijings research self-reliance

www.chosun.com

 

[Beijingwalker]

China Leads Nature Index for Third Year Amid U.S. Sanctions​

U.S. sanctions boost Chinese research; South Korea 7th, no institutions in top 50
By Kwak Soo-keun
Published 2026.06.11. 21:03Updated 2026.06.11. 21:17

The 500-meter aperture spherical radio telescope 'FAST' in Guizhou Province, China. /Wikimedia Commons

In the 'Nature Index' rankings, a key indicator of national scientific research capabilities, China has maintained the top position for three consecutive years, further widening the gap with the United States.

While the U.S. has blocked exports of advanced semiconductors to China and restricted science and technology exchanges, China’s scientific research output has surged.

As scientific paper achievements are a leading indicator of future commercializable technologies, some analyses suggest the balance of power in the U.S.-China tech hegemony competition is tilting toward China.

South Korea remained 7th in the national rankings, unchanged from last year, but no domestic institutions entered the top 50 in the organizational rankings. Seoul National University, the highest-ranked Korean institution, fell six spots to 58th place compared to last year.

◇China Secures 90% of Top 10 Research Institutions

Springer Nature, which publishes the international academic journal *Nature*, announced the 'Nature Index 2026' rankings on the 10th, local time. The Nature Index aggregates contributions of countries and institutions to high-quality research papers in major global journals and conferences, serving as a credible international benchmark for scientific research capabilities.

Leading the national rankings, China’s paper contribution score was 52,735, double that of the U.S. (26,006) in second place. While China’s score grew by 22.4% over the past year, the U.S. saw only a 4.2% increase. The institutional rankings further highlight China’s dominance: the Chinese Academy of Sciences ranked first, Zhejiang University second, and Harvard University third, dropping one spot from last year. Positions 4–10 were all Chinese institutions, with nine of the top 10 spots claimed by China. Europe’s Max Planck Institute fell outside the top 10 for the first time, while France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) remained at 16th.

In the scientific community, U.S. pressure is seen as accelerating China’s research ecosystem self-reliance. Over recent years, the U.S. has restricted exports of advanced semiconductors, AI (artificial intelligence) accelerators, and quantum technology-related equipment to China. Chinese universities and institutions have responded by accelerating technology development with domestic resources. Some observers describe this as a paradoxical outcome where external pressure, like a ‘cornered rat,’ has strengthened cohesion among Chinese government, universities, and research bodies, expediting ecosystem growth.

The most symbolic change this year was Harvard University ceding the top spot to Zhejiang University, alma mater of DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng. Harvard, which had held the top position since the Nature Index began in 2015, dropped to second place for the first time. Zhejiang University’s paper contribution score grew by 22.7%, while Harvard’s increased by only 0.6%. Zhejiang’s rise is seen as a symbol of China’s science and technology ecosystem growth. Nine Chinese universities appeared in this year’s top 10 university rankings.

Conversely, U.S. university rankings declined due to legal battles between the Donald Trump administration and Harvard, as well as federal research funding cuts. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) fell from 18th to 21st, and Stanford University dropped from 13th to 14th.

China’s university rise was not sudden. For years, it pursued a ‘talent black hole’ strategy, attracting global talent with special residency permits, lucrative salaries, ample research funding, and tenure-free professorships. This includes recruiting overseas scholars, such as Fields Medal winners, to Chinese institutions.

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings Nine Chinese institutions dominate top 10 as U.S. restrictions spur Beijings research self-reliance

www.chosun.com

 

[Beijingwalker]

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings​

Nine Chinese institutions dominate top 10 as U.S. restrictions spur Beijing's research self-reliance
By Kwak Soo-keun
Published 2026.06.11. 21:03

In the 'Nature Index' rankings, a key indicator of national scientific research capabilities, China has maintained the top position for three consecutive years, further widening the gap with the United States.

While the U.S. has restricted exports of advanced semiconductors to China and tightened exchanges in science and technology, China’s research output has surged. South Korea remained 7th in the national rankings, unchanged from last year, but no Korean institutions placed within the top 50 in the institutional rankings.

Springer Nature, publisher of the international journal *Nature*, announced the 'Nature Index 2026' rankings on the 10th, local time. The Nature Index aggregates contributions to high-quality research papers in major global journals and conferences, serving as a trusted metric for evaluating national and institutional scientific capabilities.

Leading the national rankings, China’s paper contribution score was 52,735—double that of the U.S. (26,006) in second place. While China’s score grew by 22.4% over the past year, the U.S. saw only a 4.2% increase.

The institutional rankings underscore China’s dominance: the Chinese Academy of Sciences ranked 1st, Zhejiang University 2nd, and Harvard University (U.S.) dropped to 3rd. Positions 4–10 were all held by Chinese institutions. Nine of the top 10 spots were secured by Chinese entities. Europe’s Max Planck Institute (Germany) fell outside the top 10 for the first time, while France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) remained at 16th.

Analysts attribute this shift to U.S. pressure accelerating China’s self-reliance in its research ecosystem. Over recent years, the U.S. has restricted exports of advanced semiconductors, AI accelerators, and quantum technologies to China. Chinese institutions have responded by accelerating domestic R&D. Some observers describe this as a paradoxical outcome: external pressure, like a ‘cornered rat,’ has strengthened cohesion among Chinese government, universities, and research bodies, expediting ecosystem development.

◇Harvard Dethroned by Zhejiang University

The most symbolic change this year was Harvard University ceding the top university spot to Zhejiang University, alma mater of DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng. Harvard, which had held the top position for 10 years since the Nature Index began in 2015, dropped to 2nd. Zhejiang University’s contribution score grew by 22.7%, while Harvard’s increased by just 0.6%. Nine Chinese universities ranked within the top 10.

U.S. university rankings declined due to legal battles and federal funding cuts under the Donald Trump administration. MIT fell from 18th to 21st, and Stanford University dropped from 13th to 14th.

China’s rise was not sudden. For years, it has employed a ‘talent black hole’ strategy, attracting global scholars with residency perks, high salaries, ample funding, and tenure-free positions. This includes recruiting Fields Medal winners and other overseas experts.

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings

Zhejiang University Dethrones Harvard in Global Research Rankings Nine Chinese institutions dominate top 10 as U.S. restrictions spur Beijings research self-reliance

www.chosun.com