China was close behind the US in high-tech manufacturing in 2013, National Science Foundation (NSF) said. According to its Science and Engineering Indicators research, China’s high-tech export boosted six times from 2003 to 2012, as a result the country’s share in the world’s market rose to 24% from 8%, while the US share sat at 27%. Moreover, China’s investment in clean energy production of $61 billion outpaced America’s one which was only $29 billion.
The USA is a recognized leader in the fields of science and technology. In 2013, it lost ground, NSF said. The largest Asian nations spend more on research and development than the US does. China and South Korea are leaders in innovation.
Since 2001, the US share in research and development has reduced to 30% from 37%, Europe has fallen to 22% from 23%. The Asian countries have moved to 34% from 25%. China added to 15% from 4%. Among 50 most innovative countries named by Bloomberg Rankings, China is 29th, while America is first. Innovation was measured by seven factors, including R&D intensity, productivity, high-tech density, researcher concentration, manufacturing capability, education levels and patent activity.
