Technology Policy in China's Government Work Report of the Two Sessions
Achievements in 2024
The added value of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing increased by 8.9% and 7.7%, respectively, while the annual production of new energy vehicles surpassed 13 million units. The added value of the information transmission, software, and information technology services industry and the leasing and business services industry grew by 10.9% and 10.4%, respectively.
Innovation capacity has been further enhanced, with new achievements in integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. The Chang'e-6 mission successfully completed the world's first sample return from the far side of the Moon, and the "Dream" deep-sea drilling vessel was completed and commissioned. The transaction value of technology contracts increased by 11.2%.
Promote the development of a technologically strong nation, fully launch and implement major national science and technology projects, accelerate the improvement of major scientific and technological infrastructure systems, and strengthen the cultivation of top-tier innovative talent.
Ensure the stable operation of the industrial economy, advance the technological transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector, and achieve a 9.2% growth in manufacturing investment. Foster a new batch of national-level advanced manufacturing clusters, with rapid growth in emerging industries such as commercial spaceflight, BeiDou applications, and new energy storage.
Formulate and revise mandatory national standards in areas such as environmental protection and safety. Accelerate the development of Digital China, with the added value of core industries in the digital economy reaching approximately 10% of GDP.
Goal of 2025
Developing New Quality Productive Forces Based on Local Conditions and Accelerating the Construction of a Modern Industrial System
On March 5, Premier Li Qiang, in his government work report, outlined this year’s government tasks, proposing to develop new quality productive forces based on local conditions and to accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system. Efforts will be made to integrate technological innovation with industrial innovation, vigorously promote new industrialization, expand and strengthen advanced manufacturing, actively develop modern service industries, and promote the accumulation and expansion of new growth drivers while facilitating the renewal and upgrading of traditional growth drivers.
Emerging and future industries will be cultivated and expanded. The integration and clustered development of strategic emerging industries will be deepened. Large-scale demonstration actions for the application of new technologies, new products, and new scenarios will be carried out to promote the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial spaceflight and the low-altitude economy. A mechanism for increasing future industry investment will be established to foster future industries such as bio-manufacturing, quantum technology, embodied intelligence, and 6G. The integration of advanced manufacturing and modern services will be further developed through pilot programs, and the development of service-oriented manufacturing will be accelerated. Comprehensive planning and capacity monitoring will be strengthened to ensure orderly industrial development and fair competition. The innovation-driven development of national high-tech zones will be accelerated. A tiered cultivation system for innovative enterprises will be established to promote the growth of "specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative" SMEs, support the development of unicorn and gazelle enterprises, and help more companies accelerate in new fields and tracks.
Traditional industries will be upgraded and transformed. The high-quality development of key manufacturing industry chains will be accelerated, with efforts to rebuild industrial foundations and make breakthroughs in major technical equipment. The scope of major technological transformation and large-scale equipment renewal projects in manufacturing will be expanded, and entry barriers will be lowered. The digital transformation of manufacturing will be expedited, and a group of service providers proficient in both industry and digitalization will be cultivated, with increased support for the digital transformation of SMEs. Actions to enhance standards and lead the upgrading of traditional industries will be implemented. The initiatives of expanding product varieties, improving product quality, and fostering brand creation in manufacturing will be deepened, and comprehensive quality management will be strengthened to build high-quality and iconic brands and industries.
The innovative vitality of the digital economy will be stimulated. The “AI+” initiative will be continuously advanced, integrating digital technology with manufacturing and market advantages. The widespread application of large AI models will be supported, and the development of intelligent connected new energy vehicles, AI-powered smartphones and computers, intelligent robots, and next-generation intelligent terminals will be vigorously promoted, along with intelligent manufacturing equipment. The large-scale application of 5G will be expanded, the innovation-driven development of the industrial internet will be accelerated, and the nationwide computing power layout will be optimized to build globally competitive digital industry clusters. The data infrastructure framework will be improved, and the development, utilization, and cross-border flow of data resources will be deepened and regulated. The platform economy will be promoted in a standardized and healthy manner, ensuring its positive role in driving innovation, expanding consumption, and stabilizing employment.
Thoroughly Implementing the Strategy of Invigorating the Country Through Science, Education, and Talent Development, and Enhancing the Overall Efficiency of the National Innovation System
On March 5, Premier Li Qiang, in his government work report, outlined this year’s government tasks, proposing to thoroughly implement the strategy of invigorating the country through science, education, and talent development, and to enhance the overall efficiency of the national innovation system. The government will adhere to innovation-driven development, simultaneously advancing education, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation, providing a fundamental and strategic foundation for Chinese-style modernization.
The construction of a high-quality education system will be accelerated. A three-year action plan for building an education powerhouse will be formulated and implemented. The comprehensive implementation of the New Era Lide Shuren Project will be promoted, along with the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political education from primary to higher education. The expansion and quality improvement of basic education will be deepened, and a resource allocation mechanism that adapts to population changes will be established. The standardization of compulsory education schools will be enhanced, promoting equitable and high-quality development of compulsory education, increasing the supply of senior high school education, and gradually introducing free preschool education. The development of special education, continuing education, and specialized education will be improved, and the orderly development of private education will be encouraged. The integration of vocational and general education and the integration of industry and education will be promoted to enhance the adaptability of vocational education. Higher education reform will be advanced categorically, with solid progress in expanding high-quality undergraduate education, accelerating the construction of “Double First-Class” universities, and improving disciplinary adjustment mechanisms and talent cultivation models. Psychological health education will be popularized, and a high-quality, professional teaching workforce will be developed, with enhanced efforts in teacher ethics and remuneration. Education reform and development will be pursued in alignment with national needs and public concerns, accelerating the transition from a large education system to a strong one.
The advancement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength will be promoted. The advantages of the new nationwide system will be fully leveraged, and efforts will be made to strengthen breakthroughs in key core technologies and cutting-edge, disruptive technologies, with the accelerated implementation and forward planning of major scientific and technological projects. The layout of national strategic scientific and technological forces will be optimized, the reform of research institutions will be promoted, and a new national laboratory research model will be explored to enhance the driving capacity of international and regional science and technology innovation hubs. The proportion of research funding allocated to basic research will be increased, and an investment mechanism combining competitive and stable support will be improved to enhance the organizational structure of basic research. Leading technology enterprises will play a key role in strengthening the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, ensuring that enterprises participate in national science and technology decision-making and undertake major projects. The allocation and management mechanisms for central fiscal science and technology funding will be improved. Policies and market services for technology commercialization will be strengthened, promoting the transfer of scientific achievements, reforming intellectual property rights and asset management of job-related innovations, and enhancing the efficiency of technology commercialization. The protection and utilization of intellectual property rights will be strengthened. The development of concept validation, pilot testing, and industry-wide technology platforms will be accelerated. Venture capital regulation will be refined, and policy-driven financial support will be enhanced to develop venture capital and expand patient capital. International scientific and technological cooperation will be expanded, and efforts to popularize science and improve public scientific literacy will be intensified. The spirit of scientists will be promoted, fostering an environment that encourages exploration and tolerates failure.
The overall quality of the talent workforce will be comprehensively improved. The radiating effects of talent hubs and talent platforms will be leveraged, and efforts will be accelerated to build a national strategic talent force, with a focus on cultivating top-tier innovative talent, urgently needed professionals in key fields, and high-skilled talent. Young scientific and technological talent will be strongly supported and boldly utilized. A world-class industrial technical workforce will be cultivated. The support mechanisms for overseas talent introduction will be improved, and services for foreign professionals in China will be optimized. The reform of talent management and utilization will be deepened, granting greater autonomy to employers, and promoting joint training and exchange programs for industry, academia, and research talents. The regional distribution of talent will be optimized, strengthening talent collaboration across eastern, central, and western regions. The reform of talent evaluation systems will be deepened, transitioning to an innovation-, quality-, and contribution-oriented evaluation model. The governance of honorary titles in the scientific and educational sectors will be improved, encouraging all types of talents to focus on in-depth research and achieve long-term success.
International Trade Foreign Investment Policy relating to Technology
Promote the development of cross-border e-commerce, improve the cross-border delivery logistics system, and strengthen the construction of overseas warehouses. Expand the functions of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, develop intermediate goods trade, and explore diversified markets. Support the integration of domestic and foreign trade, and accelerate the resolution of issues related to standards certification and market channels.
Promote innovative development in trade in services, enhance the competitiveness of traditional advantageous services, encourage service exports, and expand the import of high-quality services. Foster new growth drivers such as green trade and digital trade, and support eligible regions in developing new offshore trade models.
Vigorously encourage foreign investment. Advance comprehensive pilot and demonstration programs for the expansion of service sector opening-up, promote orderly liberalization in sectors such as the Internet and culture, and expand pilot programs for opening up telecommunications, healthcare, and education. Encourage foreign investors to expand reinvestment and support their participation in industry chain collaboration.
Ensure national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises in resource access, qualification approvals, standard-setting, and government procurement. Strengthen services and support for foreign enterprises, accelerate the implementation of landmark projects, and continue to build the "Invest in China" brand.
Enhance the quality and efficiency of pilot free trade zones (FTZs) and expand reform authorization. Accelerate the implementation of core policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, improve development policies for economic and technological development zones, and promote the transformation and upgrading of comprehensive bonded zones. Continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment to enable better development for foreign enterprises.