The US is ranked first in China’s National Innovation Index, which was made public for the first time last week.
The survey by the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED) ranks China at 21st globally in technological innovation and research capability.
The report surveys the innovation capacity in 40 countries, using statistics from the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the National Bureau of Statistics and other organisations worldwide.
The US topped the chart with a rating of 100, while China had a score of 57.9. Switzerland was ranked second, with South Korea third, and Japan fourth.
The survey includes innovation indices such as resources, performance and environment, value creation and corporate innovation.
China is ranked top in the world in both R&D staff numbers and exports of high-tech products. It was in fourth place in total R&D spending and among the top three countries in annual invention patents granted.
The next five years are crucial to sharpening China’s edge in innovation, said Wang Yuan, CASTED executive vice president, launching the survey at the Second Annual National Strategy Research Joint Conference held in Beijing.
According to China’s national development plan, investment in research is expected to account for about 2.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2020.
Apart from the innovation report, the conference covered China’s 12th Five-Year Plan and relevant planning work on science and technology, moves to improve China’s indigenous innovation ability, the science and technology talent development strategy, international science and technology cooperation, science and technology programme management reform and the development of innovative cities.
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