The Next Phase of U.S.-China Rivalry in the Era of Strategic Dual-Use Talent Acquisition and Technological Advancement: The Eastern Institute of Technology and Eastern Institute of Advanced Study
Executive Summary
1. Recruitment of High-Profile Experts: EIT’s strategic recruitment of individuals with ties to major U.S. research entities emphasizes its focus on influential research and innovation.
2. Intensified Global Tech Rivalry: Heightened tensions mark the global technological landscape, particularly between the U.S. and China. Strategic acquisitions of key companies and IP, especially in sectors like semiconductors, AI, and next generation energy, characterize this escalating standoff.
3. China's Strategic Educational Initiatives: China is strategically advancing in tech education and talent acquisition through entities like Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and its affiliate, the Eastern Institute of Advanced Study (EIAS). The increasingly higher-profile Ningbo Oriental University of Science and Technology exemplifies this, with significant state support and governmental collaboration.
4. Kunpeng Plan's Ambitious Talent Drive: Central to China’s talent strategy is the ‘Kunpeng Plan’ and ‘KP Action Plan’, offering lucrative incentives to attract the worlds best tech experts such as Nobel Prize laureate, with significant progress already made by mid-2022.
5. Heavy Financial Backing for Talent: Chinese local governments are heavily financing talent acquisition, with individual investments reaching up to 200 million yuan ($27M USD), highlighting the seriousness of China’s talent initiatives.
6. OmniVision Acquisition: Tech Transfer Concerns: The significant acquisition of OmniVision Technology by Will Semiconductor, notable for its advanced imaging technologies, raises concerns over IP security and potential dual-use applications, underscoring the need for robust legal safeguards.
7. China’s Answer to the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act: China’s expansive research labs and initiatives at Ningbo Oriental University of Science and Technology represent a counterstrategy to the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, emphasizing its resolve to secure a technological stronghold.
8. Diverse Research Endeavors: China’s research spans various critical fields, emphasizing high-performance computing and AI, signaling its ambition for global technological leadership.
9. Expansive Talent and Research Goals: China plans significant talent growth and the establishment of international research centers by 2025, aiming for major technological breakthroughs by 2030.
10. Threat to U.S. Technological Leadership: China's aggressive talent strategy and rapid scientific advancement present a direct challenge to U.S. dominance, necessitating a strategic U.S. reassessment to maintain its global attractiveness.
11. Massive Science and Tech Investments: China’s enormous funding in science and tech, particularly in projects like the Yongjiang Science and Technology Innovation Zone, indicates its ambition to lead global innovation, posing a formidable challenge to U.S. supremacy.
12. Sophisticated Talent Strategies: Chinese labs employ sophisticated, multi-tiered talent recruitment strategies, emphasizing China's aspiration to become a global innovation hub.
13. Philanthropy Driving Tech Independence: Amidst U.S.-China tensions, significant philanthropic investments by Chinese industrialists in education and research institutions highlight a strategic push for technological independence and growth.
14. Urgency for U.S. Strategic Adaptation: The scale of China’s initiatives necessitates an urgent U.S. response, requiring policy and strategic adaptations to retain its position as a leader in global tech innovation.
15. EIT's Global Talent Attraction: EIT focuses on attracting top-tier global talent, particularly in pivotal tech sectors, aiming to consolidate knowledge and foster innovation.
16. Comprehensive Tech Advancement at EIT: EIT's recruitment across diverse tech fields, including semiconductors and nanotechnology, positions it as a comprehensive leader in technological advancement.
17. In response to China's aggressive tech investments, the U.S. must urgently reevaluate its CHIPS strategy, focusing on securing intellectual property, retaining top talent, and bolstering R&D efforts. This critical reassessment will safeguard U.S. technological leadership and address the pressing need to counterbalance China's rapid advancements before it's too late.
