Chinese central SOEs report 3.8% rise in R&D investment in H1

BEIJING - China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directly administered by the central government have intensified efforts to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, with their investment in research and development (R&D) rising 3.8 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026 (H1).

According to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, China's state-asset regulator, the rise in R&D spending came as central SOEs continued their efforts to make changes and improve their industrial layout and structure while deepening reforms.

Cheng Fubo, head of the SASAC, said that in H1, central SOEs have actively responded to various challenges and uncertainties, achieving sustainable development.

Latest data from the SASAC showed that during the period, the central SOEs achieved total profits of 1.4 trillion yuan ($206 billion), while their fixed-asset investment grew by 4.5 percent year-on-year.

Going forward, central SOEs will work to sustain stable economic performance, push for original innovation and new progress in core technologies, promote industrial transformation and upgrading, and ensure sound execution of reforms, according to the SASAC.