By Special Correspondent

China strengthened its innovation system and advanced industrial upgrading in 2025 as spending on basic research increased by 27.7 billion yuan, representing an 11.1% rise compared with the previous year, according to the report on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development reviewed at the national legislative session in Beijing.

The report notes that the increase in research spending formed part of broader efforts to enhance the country’s scientific and technological capabilities and support the development of a modern industrial system.

China continued implementing policies aimed at promoting innovation-driven development and accelerating the creation of what the report describes as “new quality productive forces.”

According to the report, steady progress was made in strengthening China’s innovation system and improving the overall capacity for scientific and technological development.

Authorities launched several major national science and technology programs to support breakthroughs in key fields and strengthen the country’s strategic scientific capabilities.

The report highlights that China continued improving the system of national laboratories while supporting the development of major scientific research platforms.

Efforts were also made to enhance the planning, construction and management of major science and technology infrastructure facilities.

According to the report, China completed and brought into operation 44 major science and technology infrastructure facilities during the year.

These facilities contributed to a number of research achievements, including the development of a domestically produced high-performance superconducting magnetic resonance imaging device.

The report also highlights progress in nuclear fusion research through the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which maintained steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for more than 1,000 seconds at a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius.

In addition, researchers advanced quantum computing technology with the development of the Zuchongzhi 3.0 quantum computer prototype.

China also continued strengthening the role of enterprises in technological innovation by encouraging companies to participate in national science and technology programs.

Authorities promoted collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes to accelerate the transformation of scientific discoveries into practical applications.

The report notes that national technological innovation platforms and centers were further developed to support research and industrial innovation.

China also worked to build national innovation centers for emerging industries and upgrade national industrial technology and engineering centers.

Efforts were made to strengthen regional technology transfer centers linking universities and industries to promote the commercialization of research outcomes.

According to the report, progress in innovation and research has supported the continued upgrading of key industries and the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities.

China’s industrial enterprises above the designated size recorded value-added growth of 5.9% in real terms during the year, while profits of manufacturing enterprises increased by 5.0% year on year.

The report states that continued investment in scientific research and technological development will play an important role in strengthening industrial competitiveness and supporting high-quality economic development.

Credit: INP-WealthPk