Global science and technology governance policy instruments in era of great-power competition

Authors

Xiaolei SUN, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaFollow
Yingjie SHENG, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Ying WANG, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Jiaofeng PAN, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaFollow

Keywords

global S&T governance; policy logic; great-power competition; policy instruments

Document Type

Policy & Management Research

Abstract

Amid intensifying great-power competition, the global science and technology (S&T) governance landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Traditional S&T policy instrument systems—primarily oriented toward inward capacity building—are increasingly inadequate to address the complex challenges posed by external competition and institutional restructuring. This study systematically examines the functional boundaries and developmental limitations of China’s current policy instrument system, drawing on the global governance experience of U.S. science and technology policy. It breaks through the constraints of inward-oriented policy design by adopting a dual-value framework of “internal capacity strengthening–external rule shaping,” and clearly defines the concept and core characteristics of global S&T governance policy instruments. Based on this, this study constructs a new global S&T governance policy instrument framework centered on a “dual-dimension, multi-category” collaborative system, encompassing supply-side, demand-side, environmental, countermeasure, rule-shaping, and cooperative instruments. This framework supports a strategic shift in policy logic from passive adaptation to proactive shaping of the global order. Looking ahead to China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, the study proposes development strategies focused on consolidating foundational capabilities, innovating policy tool combinations, and building a new model of multi-actor co-governance—aimed at enhancing China’s strategic resilience, institutional shaping capacity, and international cooperation capabilities in future S&T competition.

First page

1763

Last Page

1776

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Recommended Citation

SUN, Xiaolei; SHENG, Yingjie; WANG, Ying; and PAN, Jiaofeng (2024) "Global science and technology governance policy instruments in era of great-power competition," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 40 : Iss. 10 , Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3724/j.issn.1000-3045.20250602003
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol40/iss10/11