Xi calls for strong sci-tech nation by 2035

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents medals and certificates of China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 to Li Deren (R), an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, and Xue Qikun, an academician of CAS from Tsinghua University, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping set out a sweeping vision on Monday to build China into a strong nation in science and technology by 2035, calling for stronger steps to bolster the nation's self-reliance drive while enhancing openness and global cooperation.

In a landmark speech delivered to academicians, researchers and senior officials in Beijing, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need for a stronger sense of urgency and greater strides in innovation to "seize the commanding heights in sci-tech competition and future development".

The speech was given at a meeting at the Great Hall of the People that combined 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.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends 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 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

During the meeting, Xi presented medals and certificates for the country's top sci-tech award to Li Deren, an academician of the CAS and CAE from Wuhan University, and Xue Qikun, an academician of the CAS from Tsinghua University.

"A nation thrives when its science and technology thrive, and a robust science and technology sector is the cornerstone of a strong nation," the president said in the 45-minute speech.

"Chinese modernization hinges on sci-tech advancement, and the nation's high-quality development depends on building new momentum of growth through innovation in science and technology," he said.

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 is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi summarized China's key achievements in sci-tech development since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in November 2012, before putting forward key experiences drawn from development practices during the period.

Going forward, Xi reiterated the need to maximize the decisive role of the market in allocating sci-tech resources while enhancing government functions, and to boost enthusiasm across industry, academia and research.

He called for steps to drive the integration of technological and industrial innovation to boost the development of new quality productive forces, saying that the supply of high-quality technological products must be increased, with a focus on key areas and weak links in the construction of a modern industrial system.

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 is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

He highlighted the significance of spawning emerging and future industries and actively using new technologies to upgrade traditional industries.

The priority is to train outstanding engineers, master craftsmen and highly skilled individuals, while strengthening the training of young scientific and technological talent, he said.

Xi stressed that China must practice the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and achieve self-reliance and self-improvement in the sci-tech sector through open cooperation.