Insights from Neuroscientist and Reform Leader Rao Yi
By Jacob Dreyer | Edited for web publication
China is positioning itself to become a biotechnology superpower—and according to leading neuroscientist and science reformer Rao Yi, global dynamics and internal reforms may help accelerate that ambition. After decades of pioneering institutional change in Chinese research, Rao believes that while the U.S. maintains a strong lead in life sciences, political and funding trends in the West may offer China a rare opportunity to catch up.
Rao Yi, currently based at Peking University in Beijing, is a key architect of China's scientific revitalization. With a career that began in the United States in the 1980s, he returned to China in 2007 with a vision: to reform China’s life-sciences ecosystem by implementing global best practices such as tenure systems and peer-review-based academic evaluations. His leadership has contributed to the transformation of China’s research institutions and biomedical innovation environment.
Reforming China’s Scientific Foundations
Rao’s return to China marked a turning point in institutional culture. He challenged entrenched hierarchies, emphasized academic merit over personal networks, and vocally advocated for scientific integrity. His outspokenness extends beyond academia. In 2008, he famously renounced his U.S. citizenship in protest of post-9/11 policies under President George W. Bush. More recently, he has criticized U.S. pandemic responses and rejected the lab-leak theory concerning COVID-19.
As one of China’s most visible science reformers, Rao also supports national talent-recruitment programs aimed at attracting global scholars to China’s expanding research ecosystem.
Funding: The Missing Link in China's Biomedical Sciences
According to the Nature Index, China remains behind the United States in life sciences, especially when compared to its strength in physical sciences such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Rao attributes this gap primarily to funding disparities. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) remains the world’s most substantial source of biomedical research funding—a key factor sustaining American leadership in life sciences.
“China will remain behind the United States as long as it does not have an NIH equivalent,” Rao states. “But if the U.S. continues to reduce NIH funding or weaken institutions like Harvard or Columbia, China could catch up or even surpass the U.S.”
In contrast, China has already surpassed the U.S. in plant biology research, driven by its long-standing concerns about food security and massive investments in agricultural science.
The Road to Global Leadership in Biotechnology
To become a true leader in biotechnology, China must do more than increase funding. It must also enact deep structural reforms that prioritize merit and scientific rigor. According to Rao, the influence of personal relationships and institutional politics continues to hinder excellence in Chinese science.
“If China allows mediocrity to prevail, it might overtake the United States in the quantity of papers, but not in the quality,” he warns.
Rao draws historical parallels: In the 1950s and again after the Cultural Revolution, many top Chinese scientists held doctorates from overseas institutions. Today, however, the leadership of major institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is dominated by domestic PhD holders. While this reflects China’s growing educational capabilities, Rao argues that greater international diversity is essential for innovation.
China is making efforts to attract international PhDs and highly trained scientists, but more needs to be done to ensure they are empowered within Chinese institutions.
Where China Can Lead by 2050
Rao offers a forward-looking view of China's biotechnology potential. He identifies four major fields in which China could excel by 2050:
- Agricultural Biotechnology – especially in developing advanced seed technologies.
- Gene Therapy – an area where U.S. regulatory hesitation could allow China to leap forward.
- Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases – supported by China’s large population and increasing clinical data.
- Cancer Treatment – accelerated by advances in artificial intelligence and China’s growing omics databanks.
However, Rao also notes challenges. “China is lagging behind the United States in precision medicine due to weak human genetics research,” he explains. Although China conducts large-scale DNA sequencing, he considers much of it scientifically superficial.
On the other hand, gene therapy presents a strategic opportunity. “The United States is hesitating,” says Rao. “That gives China a window to take the lead.”
Conclusion
China's rise in biotechnology will depend not only on how much it invests but also on how wisely it reforms its institutions. With global tensions reshaping the research landscape and Western funding under pressure, China has an opening to redefine its place in the life sciences.
Rao Yi's vision is both optimistic and grounded: by aligning funding, merit-based evaluation, and international collaboration, China can not only close the gap—but potentially set a new global benchmark in biotechnology innovation.
New Opportunities for Medical Tourism in China
Alongside the scientific advancements China is experiencing in biotechnology, the country is also becoming a key destination for medical tourism. With innovations in cutting-edge treatments like gene therapy, CAR T-cell therapy for cancer, and advanced therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, patients from around the world are increasingly turning to China for world-class care. This presents a significant opportunity for international patients to access the latest treatments at top hospitals in China.
Not only has China made significant strides in general healthcare, but it is also an attractive option for patients seeking advanced treatments at relatively lower costs compared to the U.S. and Europe. Leading hospitals in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are partnering with global medical teams to raise the standard of care even further.
For patients seeking advanced therapies for diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic conditions, China has now become one of the key global centers. As such, medical tourism companies can play a vital role by providing expert guidance on selecting the right hospitals, treatment pathways, and patient intake procedures, helping international patients make informed decisions about receiving the most advanced treatments in China.
If you or a loved one are looking for advanced treatments in China, China’s medical teams are ready to assist you in selecting the best treatment options using the latest technologies and therapies. For more information on patient referrals and the top hospitals in China, you can contact medical tourism experts for detailed support.
