China is rapidly closing the gap with the United States in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, posing an emerging challenge to industry leaders like Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Aided by heavy state funding, expanding clinical trials, and novel implant techniques, China is quickly emerging as an indispensable player in next-generation neurotech.
Chinese Government Drives an Increase in Biochip Innovation
China’s government has prioritized biochip innovation as part of their national research and development agenda, allocating vast funds to research institutes and startups involved with this technology – fuelling an explosion in breakthroughs within BCI itself, Nature South China Morning Post reports.
StairMed raised Y=350 million ($48 million) in February – the largest funding round ever for an implantable BCI company in China. Their ultra-flexible electrodes are 100 times more pliable and one fifth of their size than Neuralink’s electrodes for increased brain compatibility and better global timeliness (Global Times +4; South China Morning Post +4; UNILAD Tech +4)
China’s clinical trial activity now rivals and even surpasses Western efforts. NeuCyber NeuroTech in partnership with the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) have implanted their semi-invasive Beinao No. 1 chip into three patients thus far and plan on implanting 10 more before year’s end; future plans call for 50 participants by 2026 (potentially surpassing Neuralink who currently has three human implants)
WIRED
CEBSIT at the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched their inaugural invasive wireless BCI implant trial in March 2025, enabling a tetraplegic patient to use games and apps within weeks, according to Nature, Global Times, Wikipedia etc.
Technical Excellence and Minimally Invasive Methods Chinese teams are developing less invasive alternatives to Neuralink’s deep-brain, open-skull design. Nankai University project uses blood vessel delivery for BCI implants – dramatically decreasing surgical risks and recovery time, according to The Times of India, South China Morning Post, Wikipedia etc.
Other research, like the NEO pneumatically controlled glove, makes use of minimally invasive dura implants and neuromorphic chips to assist paralysed patients in daily tasks, showcasing design sophistication (Nature + UNILAD Tech).
Chinese labs, working closely with neuroscientists and engineers abroad, are making great strides toward optimizing decoding algorithms and miniaturizing devices quickly, Nature Facebook reports. Their competition includes Neuralink (USA) which offers BCI solutions.
Funding State-led, with billions invested; Private VC + corporate (Y=650M recent Neuralink round); Yahoo Finance | Reuters | UNILAD Tech; each has six seats at their respective table for funding discussions.
Trial Scale (planned x 50; 3+ Implanted Already ),
Wiki ( Reuters and Wikipedia ). As per Wikipedia: Implant Type is semi-invasive vascular ultraflexible threads implanted deep brain through blood vessels with high resolution threads for effective deep brain monitoring (
Innovative Neuromorphic chips made of flexible materials with FDA approval are touted as being “breakthroughs”, while surgical robotics technology promises new ways of operation.
China’s neurotech strategy emphasizes scalable mass testing, engineering adaptability and nontraditional surgical procedures–trademarks of its neurotech approach.
Long-Term Consequences
China’s BCI advancement reflects a larger trend of scientific catching-up. Artificial Intelligence and Neurotechnology fields show increasing convergence between their output and influence between China and America (Arxiv.org).
China’s unorthodox BCI efforts – often seeking both civilian and defense applications–stands out from U.S. neurotech strategy
WIRED.
Musk’s Neuralink faces new competition in China despite recently receiving $650 million and FDA “breakthrough device” status, with Chinese firms outpacing them in trial scale and implant tech development (Reuters).
Now is the time to demonstrate lasting safety, signal stability and real-world utility.
Critics caution against rapid innovation that uses minimally invasive approaches and regulatory laxness, since such development may entail long-term unknowns. Ethical oversight, patient consent and data privacy protection become ever more vital when moving BCI from lab to clinic in an efficient fashion.
China’s ascendency in brain tech represents an astounding breakthrough. From groundbreaking clinical trials to mass manufacturing, they are racing to match or surpass U.S. neurotech. China has taken several steps against Neuralink that show its determination not just in implanting chips first but in doing it safely, ethically, and at scale.