I'm reluctant to use "number of PhDs" as a proxy for "depth of tech talent pool". PhDs in the US have become somewhat odd -- I see advertisements on public tran

I'm reluctant to use "number of PhDs" as a proxy for "depth of tech talent pool". PhDs in the US have become somewhat odd -- I see advertisements on public transit (!) for quick doctoral programs in all sorts of fields, and many of these programs appear to be PhDs in name only, awarding degrees with little to no connection with actual original research. So a PhD alone is no longer an indicator of actual research ability but just another academic credential to slog your way through. I would guess something like this holds in China as well, possibly confounded by 1. China's different political culture, which appears to blend political advancement and academic titles in a weird way, 2. a stronger cultural emphasis in China on academic titles, and 3. China's historical preference for people with science/engineering backgrounds (rather than, say, law as in the US) to lead its state. If anything I imagine China's loose regulatory environment, abundant supply of citizens unconcerned about data privacy, and sheer number of people trying things are bigger advantages.