Research and development is now a global activity for the vast majority of major corporations, as 94 percent conduct R&D in countries beyond their home country, according to Strategy&, a unit of global consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

When it comes to importing R&D activities, China is the top country in Asia, said a study conducted by Strategy&.

Compared to 2007, China's R&D import rose 79 percent to $44 billion in 2015.

According to the report, 41 percent of China’s total R&D import comes from the US, and the country has remained the largest R&D exporter to China since 2007.

Here are the top 10 countries that lead the world in import of R&D.

No 10 Singapore

A visitor poses for a picture with the supertrees at the Garden by the Bay in Singapore, Oct 24, 2015. [Photo/IC]