India, April 28 -- China has overtaken US in research and development spending, crossing the $1 trillion mark.

Country is leading in top-cited papers, publications and patents.

Real risk is US disinvestment in basic science, shrinking federal support and tighter limits on international collaboration.

China's rapid rise in science has hit a milestone. The country's investment in research and development has reached parity with - and by purchasing power measures has surpassed - that of the United States, according to a March 2026 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Both nations have crossed the $1 trillion threshold on research spending.

For 80 years, the US operated the most productive scientific and...