China becoming more attractive for researchers to study and stay is vital and would put a definitive nail in the US’s coffin. For proof you only need to look at lists of developer names for AI models, whether the models be from China or the West.

God I wish I had a brain to be drained

At this point one of the best ways for China to drastically increase its soft power would be to open up its immigration laws. It is not too difficult to find temporary work in China but a lot could be gained by attracting talented and skilled people to permanently settle in China.