Physicist Claims US Ahead of China in Physics Race Despite Chinese Funding Advantage

What was said

"I think the US is still like— Someone top-down could just say, we're going to fund it. Hey, it's an experiment. And honestly, maybe it's a good thing if they're spending money on trying to be better at research for just the type of research that's just for the clout and not for the military tech or something like that."

Pasterski stated the US leads China in fundamental physics research and benefits from a more open, merit-based international system, while China's top-down governance allows rapid funding of large experiments like colliders that the US taxpayer won't prioritize. She suggested China's investment in pure research—far from military applications—may be strategically advantageous for the West.