Technology Policies in Generating Biotechnology Clusters: A Comparison of China and the US

ABSTRACT

This paper draws a comparison between Chinese and US technology policies aimed at generating clustering in biotechnology. It compares characteristics of biotechnology companies and patents that have been created on the east coast of China since the mid-1990s with early US biotechnology clusters. It highlights Chinese policies aimed at returning scientists and directive locational policies. Policy deficiencies include: difficulty in shifting away from government-led responsiveness to funding programmes; failure to set in place governance structures that promote interaction between the domestic science base and domestic firms; and shortcomings in policies towards returnees and the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).