China increased research and development spending by 8.2% in 2025, pushing total investment above $583 billion as Beijing expands support for basic science, universities and strategic technologies.
The latest figures from China’s National Bureau of Statistics highlight a growing contrast with the US, where the Trump administration has proposed steep cuts to federal research budgets, including reductions of 39% for the National Institutes of Health and 55% for the National Science Foundation in its proposed 2026 budget.
China’s spending remains second only to that of the US in absolute terms, but its sustained investment in scientific research and industrial development is strengthening its position in the competition over semiconductors, AI and other advanced technologies.
China’s total R&D expenditure exceeded $583 billion in 2025, and according to state news agency Xinhua, spending grew at an average annual rate of 10% over the five years through 2025, making China one of the fastest-growing major research investors, the South China Morning Post reported.
Basic research recorded the largest percentage increase among the three main categories, rising 13.3% year over year to roughly $40 billion. Despite that growth, basic research still accounted for just over 7% of total R&D spending. Research expenditure at higher education institutions rose 11%, to approximately $48 billion.
5 times Japan’s, according to the reported figures. 8% in 2025, surpassing the OECD average for the first time and placing the country 12th globally.
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