Planning helps build nation into a sci-tech powerhouse

From innovations in robotics to the rise of intelligent connected vehicles to the establishment of a commercial spaceflight ecosystem, China's successful practices are transforming cutting-edge technologies into productive forces.

Fueling this remarkable progress and the nation's strong momentum in science and technology is the top-level design and comprehensive planning led by President Xi Jinping, as well as the relentless efforts and high aims of researchers and enterprises contributing toward building China into a science and technology powerhouse.

Noting the strategic leading position of and the fundamental supporting role played by science and technology in the pursuit of Chinese modernization, Xi has, on various occasions, urged expediting high-level sci-tech self-reliance to realize the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035.

Addressing a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering in June 2024, Xi said the high-tech sector has emerged as both the forefront and the main arena of international competition, profoundly reshaping the global order and development landscape.

He outlined the key necessities for the development of sci-tech in China, including strong basic research and original innovation capabilities, a robust capacity to achieve breakthroughs in key and core technologies, significant global influence and leadership that make China a major innovation hub, strong ability to attract and nurture top-tier talent, and outstanding governance systems and capabilities in science and technology.

Two years on, China has made new breakthroughs in both basic and frontier research, taken new strides in strategic high-tech fields and achieved new results in high-quality development driven by innovation.

Liu Chunsheng, an associate professor at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, said that China's full-fledged innovation ecosystem is accelerating breakthroughs at scale.

The country has strengthened its computing networks, next-generation communications systems and green energy infrastructure, enabling more efficient flow of land, talent and data, Liu said.

"At the same time, it has established collaborative innovation networks that bring together State-owned enterprises, private firms, foreign investors, universities and research institutes, creating a dynamic environment where ideas can swiftly transition from the lab to the market," he said.

This year's Government Work Report, which was adopted in March at the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, indicates a strategic shift in funding allocation for basic research, which aligns with the nation's long-term goals of becoming a global leader in science and technology.

The report emphasized the integration of technological and industrial innovation, highlighting that China plans to establish three international centers for sci-tech innovation — in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area — and turn them into world-class innovation engines.

Elijah Mwangi, a scholar based in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, said the perception of China trailing Western innovation is outdated, as Chinese firms are now leaders in areas such as 5G telecommunications, drone technology, fintech and artificial intelligence applications.

"What distinguishes China's approach is its ability to deploy innovation at scale. Technologies are rapidly integrated into everyday life, from digital payments and smart transportation systems to AI-powered services. The rise of Chinese AI firms has demonstrated that the race for technological leadership is no longer confined to Silicon Valley," Mwangi said in an article published by the China Global Television Network website.

On April 30, Xi attended a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai, urging greater efforts and more solid measures to strengthen basic research and enhance China's capacity for original and groundbreaking innovation.

According to data from the Ministry of Science and Technology, China's total research and development investment exceeded 3.92 trillion yuan ($576 billion) in 2025, accounting for 2.8 percent of its GDP. Basic research funding last year hit nearly 280 billion yuan, accounting for 7.08 percent of total R&D spending, making it the first time that the funding has surpassed the 7 percent threshold.

China has projected an annual average increase of at least 7 percent in nationwide R&D spending during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.

Md Altab Hossin, a foreign expert working for the Entrepreneurship College of Chengdu University in Sichuan province, said that China's innovation-oriented development is not merely a slogan — it is the engine driving the nation toward a future defined by sustainability, intelligence and shared prosperity.

By sharing its renewable grids, electronic vehicle platforms, AI frameworks, humanoid robots and BeiDou signals, China is constructing a technological foundation upon which all of humanity can stand taller and receive the benefits, he said.