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China’s top science discoveries reveal research momentum, challenges in funding and innovation
- Annual list of top 10 achievements celebrates Chinese scientists working in fields including AI, quantum computing, astronomy and gene editing
- Observers say the country should do more to foster an innovative environment, generate breakthroughs and lure private investment for tech and science
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Ling Xinin Ohio
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has released its annual list of the country’s top 10 science advances, celebrating Chinese researchers working at the scientific frontiers from artificial intelligence and quantum science to astronomy and gene-editing.
Observers say that while China has maintained its momentum as a leader in basic research, it faces challenges in nurturing an innovation-friendly environment and luring non-government investment in science and technology.
The NSFC, the country’s biggest funding agency for basic science, released its 2023 list last week. The NSFC has been compiling the annual list since 2005.
Topping the latest table of achievements was an artificial intelligence model from tech giant Huawei that can forecast the weather – including temperature, humidity and wind speed – more accurately than traditional predictions based on computing power.
The model, named Pangu-Weather, was trained on decades of observation data and is able to predict the weather faster than the world’s top forecaster, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
The model has also been used to forecast extreme weather and predicted the paths of typhoons Mawar and Doksuri during the 2023 flood season.
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