China is well on its way to becoming a global leader in science. The country has become the world's largest producer of scientific articles, pours a staggering amount of money into funding research, and is home to scientists whose groundbreaking and sometimes controversial findings increasingly make international news. If science needs freedom to thrive, how is this rise possible where a political system limits rights and controls information on a wide scale? How does science interact with societal values and ethical principles? And what does China's rise in science mean globally? Political sociologist and sinologist Anna Lisa Ahlers answers some burning questions on China's stunning ascent in this first episode of the "Science Social" podcast series. About Anna Lisa Ahlers: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/users/alahlers More about Anna Lisa's research China in the Global System of Science: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/China-and-Science This podcast is produced by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de Follow us on https://twitter.com/MPIWG Host: Stephanie Hood Concept and sound editing by Verena Braun Theme song by Podington Bear, CC NY-NC 3.0