The Import Dependency Problem
China relies heavily on imported scientific instruments for critical research. Unfortunately, this deep dependency could severely hold back the country’s use of artificial intelligence in science. Weinan E, a professor at Peking University, recently highlighted this major issue during a conference in Shanghai. He explicitly explained that advanced equipment is essential for generating high-quality experimental data. Without domestically developed precision tools, obtaining firsthand data becomes extremely difficult. Consequently, he stated that this situation leaves AI development like cooking without rice.
Market Vulnerabilities and Export Controls
The financial scale of this technological reliance is massive. In 2024, China imported nearly $17 billion in sophisticated scientific equipment. Furthermore, more than three-quarters of large research instruments utilized in the country came from abroad. Specifically, China relies on imports for 83 percent of its mass spectrometers. Meanwhile, the United States continues to enforce strict export controls on these exact technologies. In January, the U.S. Commerce Department announced new restrictions involving certain mass spectrometry equipment. Washington officials fear these advanced tools could quickly support Beijing’s military modernization.
Structural Challenges and Proposed Reforms
Beyond hardware issues, China also faces significant gaps in its AI foundation models. Simply adding scientific capabilities to existing open-source models is completely insufficient. Instead, solving complex scientific problems requires much stronger underlying models. Therefore, E called for a massive restructuring of China’s entire research system. He strongly urged the scientific community to break down rigid boundaries between academic disciplines. In addition, he wants researchers to permanently bridge the divide between theory and experimentation. Finally, he suggested overhauling traditional research evaluation systems to officially recognize data and software development.
Reference
Chen, M., & Chen, M. (2026, 10 julio). AI, science and the risks in China’s reliance on imported precision equipment. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3359979/ai-science-and-risks-chinas-reliance-imported-precision-equipment?share=zW%2Fy07jTjChIjX9A0b%2F23%2B998hDaARBRQa%2F%2FOvERp5FqrZSwiTims14c5bHbJ4H7EuhGG%2BhKNiwWswwWVgucAz%2F7UrFDKFstFYa310No%2FRE%3D&utm_campaign=social_share