International experience of national science and technology catch-up and policy choice in China

National science and technology catch-up is the key pathway for latecomer countries to achieve technological leap. Deepening understanding of the evolution, characteristics, and patterns of national science and technology catch-up is of great significance for promoting high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement in China. This study focuses on the core issue of “how latecomer countries can narrow the technological gap with leading countries through national science and technology catch-up” and constructs a “three-stage” analytical framework for national science and technology catch-up. Having reviewed the history of science and technology catch-up in the United States, Japan, and Republic of Korea, the study summarizes the main characteristics of national science and technology catch-up paths and methods, and identifies six key findings. First, the main pathway of national science and technology catch-up worldwide is the transition from technology introduction and imitation to independent innovation. Second, the strategic priorities of national science and technology catch-up differ across different stages of this pathway. Third, although national science and technology catch-up models are not unique, the policy instruments of catch-up exhibit similarities. Fourth, the speed of national science and technology catch-up is closely related to the capacity to utilize external technological resources. Fifth, technological revolutions and industrial transformation provide important windows of opportunity for national science and technology catch-up. Sixth, science and technology strategic planning is an effective means of guiding national science and technology catch-up. Based on these findings, this study proposes a series of policy suggestions and important tasks for optimizing China’s science and technology strategy.