US universities losing hundreds of billions as top Chinese scientists and researchers go home

Research and Development (R&D) is a major profit center for the top universities in the United States. Besides the nearly $100 billion they earn in grants from the US government and private sources, university-based researchers create patents and inventions that generate many more billions annually.

China is the largest foreign source of scientists and researchers, and they are concentrated in the hard sciences and in engineering, where over 95% of R&D spending takes place. But since 2018, Chinese scientists are increasingly deciding to return to China to set up new research departments. Of those who are still in the US, over 60% admit they are strongly considering moving, and over half now refuse to work on projects that involve funding by US government sources.

To American universities, the loss of these scientists, along with future contributions to scientific research and commercial applications and market value, are incalculable. But losses probably already exceed a trillion dollars, given the departures of so many top scientists in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, medicine, biochemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, and quantum computing.

Resources and links:

More Chinese Students Are Staying in China to Study

Surge in Chinese Scientists Leaving US for Home Institutions

Caught in the crossfire: Fears of Chinese–American scientists

Scientists of Chinese descent leaving the US at an accelerating pace

Reverse Brain Drain? Exploring Trends among Chinese Scientists in the U.S.

Resources on the Patent Revenue Budget Model

R&D Expenditures at U.S. Universities Increased by $8 Billion in FY 2022

South China Morning Post, Nanotech pioneer Wang Zhonglin leaves US to work in China ‘full time’

SCMP, The Chinese scientists leaving top US universities to take up high-profile roles in China, boosting Beijing in its race for global talent

Closing scene, Suzhou, Jiangsu

[Aceks]

There is no point in contributing to a country that despises you.

[nancytai]

Excellent report but you neglected to say why Chinese scientists & engineers are fearful! US agencies are arresting them & charging them without evidence so many had their careers destroyed & families harmed even after all charges were dropped!

[americanknow]

You know that problem. American politicinas are too stupid to understand this.

[yndiiatecow]

Accused of being a spy and being homeless in your retirement and being in prison for 20 years. That's your reward from the American Government.

[carbonduke]

This guy alone, do much more than mainstream media do, combined. So glad i found his channel.

[barrywong]

Kudos to the talented Chinese and Chinese-American researchers returning to China, where they are welcome with open arms, where they can make their contributions to a nation seeking to advance and improve the entire global village. In contrast, staying in the US would only contribute towards the hegemonic domination of a selfish empire.

The choice is obvious.

[mystictraveler]

Ive been saying this for years. American tech is due to talented chinese scientists and engineers. They have revolutionized the tech industry.

[tzjhpvj]

Aside from the top researchers and PhDs, even American born Chinese kids like me want out. My parents came here from China for business. I was born and raised here. I did my BS/MS at Stanford in Electrical Engineering and now work at a top tech company.

Even though I grew up here and have my friends and community here, I still feel unwelcome and feel hostility towards me. I used to encounter racism maybe once or twice a year growing up... but in the past 5-10 years? It's once a month.

I visit China every summer break growing up. Lately, I've been considering just staying there one of these trips. I have actually been looking at apartments in Guangzhou. We'll see what happens.

[dextro]

The first chief engineer of Boeing (1916) was a Beijing born Chinese, MIT graduate called Wong Tsu.
The co-founder of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory was also a Chinese called Qian Xuesen. And many more.

[GeoffHalsey]

Probably doesn't help when the US constantly talks about war with China.

[mechannel]

5:45 China is the largest supplier of US scientists. Now they are leaving for China

[AnnieT]

So glad they are returning home. It was distressing reading about them being hounded, harassed and rubbed off.

[TomSimba]

All thanks to the self-defeating policies and actions of Trump and Biden.

[Samoasoa]

Chinese exclusion laws are a threat to all Chinese, Singaporean Chinese or American Chinese, not just Mainland Chinese.

[iWantPeace]

A wise man won't stand beside a collapsing wall. Why wouldn't one flee from this barbaric Uncle Sam Empire?

[SSL_SSL]

Necessity is the mother of invention. The message is clear: Chinese scientists should go where they are celebrated instead of not tolerated. To the compatriots who love their motherland: Welcome home !!! To those of Chinese descent: Welcome to the land of your ancestors !!!

[WuJiZhang-wcmc]

Along with that University, the town also losing billions of income from food industry, home rental industry, car sales & tourism.

[brm]

US universities are businesses, not places of learning.

[demonridera]

When you live in China as a citizen, you enjoy security, respect, ride the best EVs in the world, use the best mobile phones, have one of the best public transportation, are in the fastest growing region of the world, all at a lower cost. Why go anywhere else?

[FallenLeavesReturnToRoots]

A relative of mine is doing his PhD in computer algorithms at one of the top universities (for his safety, I will not name the school ). He said he isn't going to China for a visit before he has received his degree because many Chinese students were refused to reenter the US after they visited their families in China.