China enlists top scientists in mission to become military tech superpower
Experts from within the military to work for its top research institute as China modernises its armed forces to give them cutting-edge equipment and arms
China has gathered 120 researchers from around the military to work for its top research institute as part of a push to develop military applications for artificial intelligence and quantum technology, state media reported.
The military has selected the researchers from across armed forces’ commands to join the Chinese Academy of Military Science, the highest-level research institute of the People’s Liberation Army, according to the PLA Daily.
More than 95 per cent of the new recruits enlisted into the academy hold PhD degrees and are highly specialised in certain fields, particularly artificial intelligence assisted unmanned vehicles and quantum technology, the report said.
Analysts said the recruitment was part of China’s efforts to become a military technological superpower and to catch up with the technical superiority of US armed forces.
President Xi Jinping has launched a massive overhaul and modernisation of the country’s military and he said in a speech given to the military science academy last July that China should aim at building world-class military technology institutes.