China doubles US in chip research studies, claims 9 of world's top 10 institutions

From 2018 to 2023, China published approximately 160,000 studies related to chip technology, accounting for 34% of all global research in the field, Georgetown University's Emerging Technology Observatory (ETO) reported. By comparison, the U.S. published roughly 71,000 studies, representing 15% of global output.

Nine out of the ten institutions publishing the highest number of English-language studies in chip research are based in China. Prominent among them are the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and Tsinghua University, the South China Morning Post reported.

CAS alone produced over 14,300 studies, with more than 3,400 highly cited by peers globally. UCAS ranked second in China, with nearly 7,850 studies published.

Zachary Arnold, an analyst at ETO, emphasized that while the sheer number of publications and citations might not directly indicate China's industry dominance, it clearly signals rapid advancement in the country's semiconductor research capabilities.

Semiconductor research remains fiercely competitive between China and the U.S., driven by economic rivalry and strategic interests, underscoring the sector's critical role in technological and geopolitical leadership.