"The strategy has been never to lead, but to follow" technologically, said Qian Depei, a Beihang University researcher, who has worked for decades on China's advanced computing programs.

WSJ: China's Not-So-Super Computer Program

"There are loads of ideas floating around, and they're serious about implementing them, " said UK space scientist John Zarnecki, who is a visiting professor at Beihang University, the new name for the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

BBC: Rocket launches Chinese space lab