China's Science Minister Outlines Ambitious Tech Roadmap
Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun announced groundbreaking R&D achievements and a bold five-year strategy on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the National People's Congress. China's total research spending reached 3.92 trillion yuan ($568 billion) in 2025, achieving a record 2.8% R&D intensity with basic research funding crossing the 7% threshold for the first time.
Four Pillars of Technological Transformation
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) prioritizes: 1) Major national projects in AI, quantum tech, and fusion energy 2) Enhanced corporate innovation leadership through tax incentives 3) Commercialization reforms for research breakthroughs 4) Regional tech cluster development. "We're building an innovation ecosystem that connects labs to markets," Yin stated, highlighting 76 new drug approvals and $130 billion in overseas tech licensing last year.
Global Innovation Ranking Climbs
China's global innovation index rose to 10th place in 2025, driven by advancements in humanoid robotics, open-source AI models, and semiconductor research. The minister emphasized that these developments "empower all economic sectors while improving citizens' quality of life."
