China is now world's No 1 science power, says top Russian scientist

Leading Russian chemist and materials scientist Artem Oganov has declared China the world's foremost scientific power, a title he believes is validated by his recent receipt of China's top international science and technology award.

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the honour from the world’s No 1 science power was a sign he was “on the right track”.

Oganov, a professor at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow and a long-term collaborator with Chinese institutions, was among eight experts honored by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He recalled telling European colleagues in 2008 that China was on track to become No. 1 in industry and science, a prediction met with skepticism at the time. "Eighteen years on, China is No 1 – in industry, in economy, and indeed also in science," Oganov told the South China Morning Post.

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China is No 1 – in industry, in economy, and indeed also in science.

He pointed to China's significant contribution to global scientific output, stating that the country now accounts for one-third of all scientific publications worldwide. Oganov stressed that this dominance is not merely numerical but also reflects high quality. This assessment is supported by the 2026 Nature Index, which analyzes research from leading publications and ranks China first, with the United States second.

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Noting that America used to be the top scientific power, he pointed to the fact that China now accounts for a third of global scientific publications, adding that it was not just numbers, but “quality”.

Oganov's recognition with the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, China's highest honor for foreign scientists, underscores his long-standing engagement with the country's research landscape. His pronouncements reflect a growing global acknowledgment of China's rapid advancements and increasing influence in the scientific and technological fields.

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China holds the top spot in the 2026 Nature Index – an analysis of over 125,000 research articles published in 178 leading publications in 2025 – with the US in second place.