Ministry of Science and Technology: Research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, and brain-computer interfaces will be strengthened during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period
The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 29, the State Information Office held a press conference on the situation relating to promoting the construction of a scientific and technological power during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period. Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun mentioned focusing on the country's long-term development needs and strategic needs, implementing major national science and technology projects that have already been launched, and consolidating and deploying a number of major national science and technology projects for 2035. Focus on scientific and technological issues in national economic and social development, and fully launch the implementation of the “15th Five-Year Plan” national science and technology key projects. The whole chain promotes research in key areas such as integrated circuits, industrial parent machines, and high-end instruments, and solves all the problems of card points and blockages in the innovation chain. Strengthen research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, and brain-computer interfaces to seize the high ground of scientific and technological development.
Yin Hejun mentioned strengthening the application orientation of scientific and technological innovation, consolidating major scientific and technological issues from industrial development, and planning and deploying scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation in an integrated manner. Strengthen scientific and technological support to lead the construction of modern industrial systems, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and let “old trees sprout”; cultivate and expand emerging industries and build more trillion-level industrial clusters; lay out future industries in a forward-looking manner, and continuously cultivate new economic growth points. Further strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and promote the gathering of more innovation resources in enterprises.
Vice Minister of Science and Technology Zhang Guangjun mentioned strengthening enterprise-led integration and innovation between industry, education and research. Support enterprises to participate in national science and technology innovation decisions on a regular basis, and further enhance their right to speak. Establish and improve policy systems, promote the gathering of innovative resources such as projects, platforms, data, talents, and capital to enterprises, and comprehensively enhance the ability of enterprises to innovate. Accelerate the cultivation and expansion of leading science and technology enterprises, give full play to the leading and supporting role of large enterprises, guide the opening of scientific research platforms and application scenarios to small and medium-sized enterprises, and drive the industry forward into advanced and high-end fields. Support enterprises to take the lead in forming innovation consortia, jointly create science and innovation platforms with universities and research institutes, jointly refine scientific and technological issues in response to industry needs, and jointly carry out scientific research.
The transcript is as follows:
Shou Xiaoli, Director of the Information Bureau of the Information Office of the State Council and press spokesman:
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the press conference of the Information Office of the State Council. Today, we will continue to hold a series of press conferences on the theme of “Getting Started with the 15th Five-Year Plan” series. We are very happy to invite Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Yin Hejun, to brief you on the situation relating to the promotion of a strong science and technology nation during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period and answer everyone's concerns. Also attending today's press conference were Mr. Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of Science and Technology; Mr. Long Teng, Vice Minister; and Mr. Qiu Yong, Vice Minister.
Next, let's first ask Minister Yin Hejun to give an introduction.
Minister of Science and Technology Ein Ha-joon:
Good afternoon to all media friends, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for your long-term interest in and support for scientific and technological work.
The Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, attaches great importance to scientific and technological innovation, and has always placed scientific and technological innovation in a prominent position in the modernization drive. This year marks the beginning of the “15th Five-Year Plan”. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered important speeches at the National Science and Technology Award Conference, the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology, and the Symposium on Strengthening Basic Research. They made important arrangements for scientific and technological innovation, emphasized speeding up self-reliance and self-improvement in high-level science and technology, and making firm progress towards the goal of becoming a science and technology power by 2035.
Over the past five years, China's scientific and technological innovation has reached a new level, and the construction of a scientific and technological power has taken solid steps, strongly supporting high-quality development and improving people's livelihood. In 2025, the entire society invested more than 3.92 trillion yuan in R&D, accounting for 2.8% of GDP, surpassing the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries for the first time; PCT international patent applications and the number of high-level international journal papers remained the highest in the world for many years; major original achievements such as Jiuzhang, Tianwen, and Chang'e accelerated, new breakthroughs were made in chip research, leading the world. Emerging industries such as new energy vehicles and robots are booming, and a number of scientific and technological achievements such as innovative drugs and new crop varieties have benefited the public. According to the “National Innovation Index Report 2025” of the China Institute of Science and Technology Development Strategy, China ranks 9th in the world in the overall ranking of national innovation capacity. China is rapidly transforming from a global science and technology participant and contributor to a pioneer and leader, and has become one of the countries with the fastest rise in innovation.
The “15th Five-Year Plan” period is a critical period for building a strong science and technology nation. The “Outline” of the national “15th Five-Year Plan” takes “a significant increase in the level of self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology” as one of the main goals of economic and social development, and makes systematic arrangements for scientific and technological innovation. We will adhere to the “four directions”, firmly grasp the historical opportunities of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, accelerate self-reliance and self-improvement in high-level technology, lead the development of new quality productivity as the main line, and take original leading scientific and technological research as the main focus, and push the construction of a strong scientific and technological nation to a new level. Focus on the following areas of work:
The first is to strengthen the foundation, comprehensively enhance original innovation capabilities, and establish a strong foundation for a strong nation in science and technology. To strengthen the strategic, forward-looking, and systematic layout of basic research, we must not only face the world's scientific and technological frontiers, strengthen original innovation “from 0 to 1”, and actively explore “no man's land”; it is also necessary to reveal the underlying scientific issues and technical principles “from 1 to 0” around strategic areas relating to national security and major interests. It is necessary to accelerate scientific research enabled by artificial intelligence and lead a paradigm shift in scientific research. Strengthen the construction of high-quality subject systems, and focus on cultivating emerging disciplines and developing interdisciplinary disciplines.
The second is to tackle the problem, fight against key core technologies, and provide strong support for high-quality development and a high level of safety. Focus on the country's long-term development needs and strategic needs, implement major national science and technology projects that have already been launched, and consolidate and deploy a number of major national science and technology projects for 2035. Focus on scientific and technological issues in national economic and social development, and fully launch the implementation of the “15th Five-Year Plan” national science and technology key projects. The whole chain promotes research in key areas such as integrated circuits, industrial parent machines, and high-end instruments, and solves all the problems of card points and blockages in the innovation chain. Strengthen research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, and brain-computer interfaces to seize the high ground of scientific and technological development.
The third is the plastics industry, which promotes the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, and leads the development of new quality productivity through scientific and technological innovation. Strengthen the application orientation of scientific and technological innovation, consolidate major scientific and technological issues from industrial development, and plan and deploy scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation in an integrated manner. Strengthen scientific and technological support to lead the construction of modern industrial systems, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and let “old trees sprout”; cultivate and expand emerging industries and build more trillion-level industrial clusters; lay out future industries in a forward-looking manner, and continuously cultivate new economic growth points. Further strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and promote the gathering of more innovation resources in enterprises.
Fourth, benefit people's livelihood, rely on scientific and technological innovation to provide more high-quality products and services, and enhance people's livelihood and welfare. Strengthen agricultural scientific and technological innovation, accelerate scientific and technological research in fields such as prevention and control of major diseases, ecology and environmental protection, raise the level of technical equipment in the fields of production safety and response to major disasters, etc., and make the sky bluer, cleaner water, better food, and healthier through scientific and technological innovation, so that the people's sense of attainment, happiness, and security is fuller, more secure, and more sustainable.
Fifth, strengthen the system, further coordinate the resources and forces of all parties, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system. Optimize the positioning and layout of the country's strategic scientific and technological forces, and strengthen collaborative innovation. Promote the development of educational science and technology talents in an integrated manner, and achieve healthy interaction between independent scientific and technological innovation and independent talent training. Promote the construction of regional science and technology innovation systems in an integrated manner, build international science and technology innovation centers and regional science and technology innovation centers, and encourage all regions to build characteristic innovation highlands according to local conditions. Optimize the scientific research ecosystem, improve the market environment that encourages innovation, vigorously promote the spirit of scientists, strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity, and make advocating science and pursuing innovation popular throughout society.
The sixth is to promote cooperation, promote a high level of technological openness, and build a global science and technology community. Strengthen bilateral, multilateral and private scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation between governments. Strengthen joint research and development on global challenges such as climate and energy. Organize and implement major international scientific programs and major scientific projects, and encourage the establishment of international science and technology organizations in China. Actively participate in formulating international governance rules in the field of emerging technologies, and work with other countries to build a global science and technology governance system.
That's all I'll introduce first, thank you all! Below, my colleagues and I will be happy to answer your questions. Thank you.
Xiaoli Shou:
Thank you, Minister Yin, for the introduction. Now let's move on to the questioning session. Please inform your news agency before asking questions.
China Central Radio and Television Reporter:
The first question I want to ask is the pussy manager. Promoting high-quality development places higher demands on the supply of science and technology. How will the Ministry of Science and Technology arrange scientific and technological research tasks during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period? And how will we ensure that these tasks are carried out effectively? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
Thank you for your question. Achieving high-quality development must rely on scientific and technological modernization to provide support. The “Outline” of the “15th Five-Year Plan” lays out special chapters on scientific and technological innovation. At the same time, the construction of a manufacturing power, an agricultural power, a beautiful China, a healthy China, and a safe China all put forward clear requirements for science and technology. We will keep abreast of planning and deployment, and systematically lay out a number of major national scientific and technological tasks.
The first is to strengthen basic research. Closely follow the world's scientific frontiers, and deploy and carry out basic theoretical research such as mathematical theory and application, and physical state control. Deploy basic research tasks such as synthetic biology, material genomics, controlled nuclear fusion, and intelligent scientist systems around scientific issues in key fields such as biology, materials, energy, and information.
The second is in terms of leading scientific and technological research. Focusing on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biomantry, key fields such as integrated circuits and industrial motherboards, and strategic fields such as deep space, deep sea, and deep earth, the whole chain promotes research on key core technologies.
The third is in terms of improving people's welfare. Deploy tasks such as environmental pollution prevention and control, resource recycling, agricultural biological breeding, and food safety around sky blue water; focus on health, deploy tasks such as innovative drug research and development, high-end medical equipment, and aging response.
Fourth, in terms of ensuring safety in key areas. In order to deal with major natural disasters and extreme climate change, missions such as disaster monitoring and early warning, risk prevention and control, emergency rescue, and meteorology and ocean forecasting are deployed. In order to improve social security capabilities, tasks such as public health safety and production safety are deployed.
Technological innovation involves all aspects of the modernization drive. These major scientific and technological tasks are all formed by us working with relevant departments, regions, and enterprises. In the next step, we will work with all parties to form joint efforts. The first is to strengthen departmental collaboration to ensure that R&D projects provide real support for economic and social development. The second is to strengthen cooperation between the central government and the region, support local authorities to take on more major national scientific and technological tasks, and guide local authorities to use their advantages and set up major research projects focusing on national needs. The third is to strengthen policy and condition guarantees, and promote science and technology policies to resonate and work in the same direction as fiscal, finance, talent, intellectual property rights, and market access policies. Strengthen coordination and coordination of major scientific and technological tasks and major science and technology infrastructure. Fourth, strengthen diversified investment, give full play to the role of financial resources as a weather vane, guide local authorities, enterprises, and society to increase investment in research and development, and jointly support scientific and technological innovation.
Thank you.
Hong Kong Economic Report Reporter:
On April 30, the Party Central Committee held a symposium on strengthening basic research, which sent a clear signal to further strengthen basic research. What work will be focused on in strengthening basic research during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
I would like to ask Vice Minister Long Teng to answer this question.
Vice Minister of Science and Technology Long Teng:
Thank you for your question. Basic research is the source of the entire scientific system and the general authority for all technical issues. In recent years, China's basic research capabilities have been significantly strengthened. It has achieved a number of major original achievements in basic mathematics, quantum technology, physical science, space science, etc., and basic research has entered a new stage of comprehensive improvement and key breakthroughs. In the next step, the Ministry of Science and Technology will focus on advancing work in four areas.
The first is to strengthen the strategic orientation and original orientation of basic research. Starting from the country's urgent needs and long-term needs, further clarify the main direction and key areas of basic research, and promote original innovation and key core technology research in an integrated manner. Mobilize the forces of all parties, strengthen the coordination and linkage of scientific and technological forces, integrate resources to promote original and disruptive innovation, and comprehensively enhance the ability to systematize basic research. Continuously improve the discipline setting adjustment mechanism, focus on supporting unpopular disciplines and weak disciplines, cultivate emerging disciplines, and encourage interdisciplinary integration and interdisciplinary research.
The second is to vigorously support outstanding young science and technology talents. Strengthen stable support for outstanding young scientific and technological talents, and support outstanding young scientific and technological talents to take the lead and take the lead in major scientific research tasks. Improve the basic research talent funding system and continue to train a team of young talents. Universities and research institutes are increasing their stable support for young talents in the early stages of their careers, and supporting young talents to practice basic scientific research skills. Strengthen the construction of basic research reserves and attract outstanding young students to participate in basic research.
The third is to improve the diversified investment pattern. Continue to increase central financial investment and improve the investment mechanism combining competitive support and stable support for basic research. Encourage local authorities to strengthen support for basic research in line with economic and social development needs. Encourage and guide enterprises to increase investment in basic research, implement preferential tax policies for enterprises to invest in basic research, and step up efforts to establish joint funds between the National Natural Science Foundation of China and enterprises. Encourage social forces to invest in basic research through multiple channels such as setting up science funds and scientific donations, and expand financial policies to support basic research.
Fourth, improve the basic research support guarantee system. Accelerate the construction of basic research platform bases, continue to strengthen research and development of high-end scientific research instruments, further promote the construction of scientific databases and germplasm resource banks, accelerate the construction of world-class science and technology journals, further strengthen the open sharing of major scientific and technological infrastructure and high-end scientific research instruments, and enhance the ability to independently guarantee basic scientific and technological conditions.
Thank you.
Top News Reporter:
The “Outline” of the “15th Five-Year Plan” is proposed to promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, and continuously spawn new quality productivity. May I ask, how will China further promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
I would like to ask Vice Minister Zhang Guangjun to answer this question for everyone.
Vice Minister of Science and Technology Zhang Guangjun:
Thank you for your question. Promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation is the key to leading the development of new quality productivity with a high level of technological self-reliance and self-improvement. In the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, we will coordinate the supply and demand of science and technology, break the inertial mindset of “having results first, then considering transformation, what is changed”, strengthen the institutional arrangement of “tackle where the demand is, and can be used”, and promote the formation of a new pattern of integrated planning, mutual integration and promotion of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, thus opening up a channel from strong science and technology to a strong industry, economy, and a strong country.
The first is to strengthen the application orientation of scientific and technological innovation. Improve innovation coordination mechanisms, strengthen collaboration in strategic planning, major tasks, policies and measures, etc., focus on key areas and weak links in the construction of a modern industrial system, and deploy and implement a number of major national scientific and technological tasks. Reform the task organization model to promote the participation of various parties, including the scientific community, industry, and users. Improve project acceptance mechanisms to apply assessment techniques and market assessment products. Continuously improve the degree of compatibility between scientific and technological achievements and industry needs, and increase the supply of high-quality technology.
The second is to strengthen enterprise-led industry-university-research integration and innovation. Support enterprises to participate in national science and technology innovation decisions on a regular basis, and further enhance their right to speak. Establish and improve policy systems, promote the gathering of innovative resources such as projects, platforms, data, talents, and capital to enterprises, and comprehensively enhance the ability of enterprises to innovate. Accelerate the cultivation and expansion of leading science and technology enterprises, give full play to the leading and supporting role of large enterprises, guide the opening of scientific research platforms and application scenarios to small and medium-sized enterprises, and drive the industry forward into advanced and high-end fields. Support enterprises to take the lead in forming innovation consortia, jointly create science and innovation platforms with universities and research institutes, jointly refine scientific and technological issues in response to industry needs, and jointly carry out scientific research.
The third is to step up efforts to efficiently transform and apply major scientific and technological achievements. Focus on technology transfer, verification and demonstration, promotion and application, etc., to target blockages and promote connectivity. Improve the national technology transfer system, strengthen team building of technical managers, and strengthen the accurate connection between supply and demand. Deepen the reform of the mechanism for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, encourage people who have completed scientific and technological achievements to participate in the transformation of achievements throughout the process, and break down barriers to the flow of innovation elements among universities, research institutes, and enterprises. Build a proof-of-concept and pilot verification platform to accelerate technology maturation and iterative upgrading. It is also necessary to give full play to the advantages of China's hyperscale market, increase scenario cultivation and openness, innovate technology financial services, strengthen intellectual property protection, explore ways to supervise the application of new technologies, and continuously improve the effectiveness of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.
Thank you.
China Business Daily Reporter:
Technological innovation depends on talents, and talent cultivation depends on education. May I ask, what work has China done to promote the development of education science and technology talents in an integrated manner in recent years, and how can we better promote a virtuous cycle of education science and technology talents? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
Let me answer this question. First of all, thank you for your question. Education, technology, and talent are the basic and strategic supports of Chinese-style modernization. Development depends on technology, science and technology depend on talents, and talents depend on education. Integrated development is not only an inevitable requirement for the intrinsic relationship between the three, but also an inevitable choice for scientific and technological development and the building of a strong nation.
In recent years, we have strengthened our work interface with education, talent and other departments, strengthened planning links, policy coordination, resource coordination, and evaluation linkages, and made joint efforts to promote the integrated development of educational science and technology talents.
The first is to focus on developing talents in scientific research practice. Coordinate scientific and technological research and talent development in the organization of major tasks, implementation of major projects, and construction of major platforms. For example, during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the national key research and development programs supported more than 700,000 people, the National Natural Science Foundation of China supported more than 500,000, and the total number of front-line R&D personnel from research institutes, universities, and enterprises is expected to exceed 8 million per year, effectively supporting scientific and technological innovation in various fields and industries.
Second, focus on developing talents by focusing on demand. Focusing on the needs of science and technology and economic and social development, the proportion of graduate students who graduate from science, technology, agriculture, and medicine every year already exceeds 60%. They optimize university subjects and majors in response to the country's urgent needs, promote the construction of national colleges in key fields such as artificial intelligence; deepen the reform of master's degree in engineering and doctorate; more than 60 universities and more than 100 enterprises jointly recruit more than 20,000 master's degrees in engineering to provide engineering and technical talents for industrial development.
Third, focus on stimulating talent vitality through reforms. Jointly formulate and implement reforms such as the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and scientific research autonomy of universities and research institutes, promote industry-university-research cooperation, and continuously improve talent flow and incentive policies. A total of 123 universities and research institutes in 12 departments and regions have launched pilot scientific and technological talent evaluation reforms to explore evaluation mechanisms adapted to the growth of different types of talents.
At the same time, all regions are focusing on scientific and technological innovation and industrial development needs, piloting new models such as “order-based training” and “shared use of school recruitment” for talents, and actively exploring new paths to promote them in an integrated manner.
After years of unremitting efforts, China has built the largest education system in the world. It has the most complete talent resources in all subject categories, and has the world's largest R&D talent team, providing a strong talent guarantee for the continuous rise in China's scientific and technological strength, and has also laid a solid foundation for further integrated development.
In the next step, China will aim to support and lead high-quality development, give full play to the leading role of self-reliance and self-reliance in high-level science and technology, use the integration of science and education as a starting point, deepen the reform of integrated institutional mechanisms, strengthen the forecast of supply and demand for scientific and technological talents, optimize and adjust subject and professional settings, clear talent circulation channels, improve the talent evaluation and incentive mechanism, and effectively play the multiplier effect of the integrated development of education, science and technology talents.
Thank you.
General station CCTV reporter:
The financing of technology-based enterprises has always received everyone's attention. How can technology finance work further play a role, continue to guide active finance to irrigate fertile ground for innovation, and support the innovation and development of enterprises? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
I would like to ask Vice Minister Qiu Yong to answer this question.
Vice Minister of Science and Technology Qiu Yong:
Thank you for your question. Technology finance plays an important role in promoting the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. In recent years, our Ministry of Science and Technology, together with the People's Bank of China, the General Administration of Financial Supervision, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, etc., have jointly established a mechanism to promote technology finance. A series of policies and measures have been introduced, and the sense of access to financing for technology-based enterprises has improved markedly.
First, venture capital is picking up. Investing early, investing in small, long-term, and hard technology has become a trend vane for the industry. In the first half of this year, according to statistics from relevant agencies, the amount of newly raised funds in the equity investment market exceeded 1 trillion yuan, an increase of 49% over the previous year. The three regional funds of the National Venture Capital Guidance Fund, a financial asset investment company, and a social security science and technology innovation fund have also achieved results, with a scale of over 700 billion yuan. The investment field focuses on hard technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology and future industry tracks to help industrialize key core technologies and achievements.
Second, bank credit supports technology-based enterprises more accurately and efficiently. The amount of refinancing for scientific and technological innovation and technological transformation was increased to 1.2 trillion yuan, interest rates were reduced to 1.25%, and private small and medium-sized enterprises with high R&D investment levels were included in the scope of support. Implement the “Innovation Credit System 2.0” to promote local pilot projects in constructing regional characteristic index systems and building digital intelligence platforms to accurately portray enterprises. Financial institutions have also launched exclusive products and solutions for technology finance. By the end of June, the number of technology-based SMEs receiving loan support reached 306,000, with a loan balance of over 4 trillion yuan, and a loan receiving rate of more than 50%.
Third, the capital market has become an important platform for serving scientific and technological innovation. The Science and Technology Innovation Board and GEM have successively introduced the “1+6” reform and the fourth set of listing standards. A number of high-quality technology companies in emerging and future industries that have not yet been profitable and have outstanding innovation capabilities have been listed and financed. The hard technology market is even stronger, and the A-share technology sector accounts for more than 30% of the market value. Since the “technology board” of the bond market was launched more than a year ago, a total of about 3 trillion yuan of science and technology innovation bonds have been issued, becoming an important source of medium- to long-term financing for technology-based enterprises.
Fourth, technology insurance has become a stabilizer and shock absorber for innovative activities. In February of this year, the Ministry of Science and Technology, together with the General Financial Supervisory Authority and other departments, issued technology insurance policy documents to guide insurance institutions to provide risk protection and financial support for major technical research and technology-based SMEs. Local governments and insurance institutions are also actively exploring. Beijing and Anhui have set up commercial aerospace and quantum technology co-insurance institutions, Shanghai has included innovative pharmaceutical devices in commercial insurance, and banking insurance linked products such as “pilot insurance and financing” have been launched one after another.
In the next step, we will continue to work closely with financial management departments and financial institutions to focus on implementing policies, strengthening services, pilot demonstrations, and optimizing the ecosystem to promote a smooth cycle of technology, industry, and finance.
Thank you!
Shenzhen TV Reporter:
China has always insisted on open cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, and has now established scientific and technological cooperative relationships with more than 160 countries and regions. How will China further promote international cooperation in science and technology innovation during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
I would like to ask Vice Minister Zhang Guangjun to answer this question.
Zhang Guangjun:
Thank you for your question. Technological progress is a global and contemporary issue; only open cooperation is the right path. At present, China has established scientific and technological cooperative relationships with more than 160 countries and regions, signed 120 intergovernmental science and technology cooperation agreements, and initiated international scientific and technological cooperation initiatives around the world. During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, we will continue to adhere to the concept of international scientific and technological cooperation with openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit and sharing, and create an all-round, deep, and wide-ranging pattern of scientific and technological openness.
The first is to speed up the establishment of mutually beneficial and win-win technological partnerships. Guided by the diplomacy of the head of state, give full play to the role of mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and innovation policy dialogue, and promote multi-dimensional cooperation and collaboration on talents, technology, achievements, and platforms. Guide and support enterprises, universities, scientific research institutions, science and technology associations to carry out extensive international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. Organize and implement major international scientific programs and major scientific projects such as “Deep-Time Digital Earth,” “Negative Ocean Emissions,” and “Human Proteome Navigation,” and jointly carry out research on major scientific issues with other countries.
The second is to continuously expand the “Belt and Road” science and technology innovation action plan. Expand the scale of scientific, technological and cultural exchanges, continue to organize technical training courses for developing countries, and implement international youth programs. Give better play to the role of more than 80 “Belt and Road” joint laboratories that have already started construction, and expand new special cooperation plans on the basis of special cooperation in science and technology for poverty alleviation, artificial intelligence, traditional Chinese medicine, etc. Next year, we will also host the 3rd “Belt and Road” Science and Technology Exchange Conference to actively promote the high-quality development of the Innovative Silk Road and build a “Belt and Road” science and technology innovation community.
The third is to participate deeply in and lead global science and technology governance. Improve multilateral cooperation mechanisms on topics such as the application of emerging technologies, biosafety, and ethical governance, and promote the international community to jointly formulate regulatory frameworks, technical standards and specifications. Support the United Nations to play the role of artificial intelligence as the main channel for global governance and do a good job in building a world artificial intelligence cooperative organization. Innovate cooperation models, actively participate in important international science and technology organizations and multilateral mechanisms, and actively propose China's solutions in emerging fields such as the digital economy, green and low carbon, and outer space.
Fourth, build an open ecosystem for international scientific and technological innovation. Provide more convenient measures for researchers to carry out international exchanges and cooperation, promote the safe and orderly flow of innovative elements such as scientific research data, equipment, materials, etc., and support foreign-funded institutions to carry out scientific and technological innovation activities in China. Deeply implement global scientific research funds, welcome more overseas scientific and technological talents to innovate and start businesses in China, and strive to create an open innovation ecosystem with global competitiveness.
Thank you.
China Youth Daily Reporter:
Science and technology journals are an important vehicle for publishing scientific research papers and disseminating scientific research results. I would like to ask what major progress has been made in the construction of world-class science and technology journals in China at present? How will the next step be to promote the construction of world-class journals? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
I would like to ask Vice Minister Long Teng to answer this question.
Dragon:
Thank you for your question. Accelerating the cultivation of world-class science and technology journals is an important part of building a strong science and technology nation and achieving a high level of self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology. Implementing the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the Ministry of Science and Technology, together with relevant departments, has taken a series of measures to promote positive progress in the construction of China's world-class science and technology journals, showing a good development trend.
First, the construction of science and technology journals in China is progressing at an accelerated pace, and the number of science and technology journals entering the world's most popular list continues to grow. Under the guidance and impetus of national policies, in recent years, relevant universities, research institutes, and leading science and technology enterprises have launched new publications, effectively filling in a number of gaps. The management of the stock of science and technology journals is more scientific and efficient. A number of science and technology journals have adjusted their publishing units or organizers, and their publishing power and development vitality are constantly increasing. A number of science and technology journals have entered the world's most popular list. According to the “2025 Catalogue of World-Class Science and Technology Journals” published by the China Institute of Science and Technology Information, China has a total of 353 types.
Second, guiding policies and measures are being implemented on multiple lines to effectively promote the launch of major scientific research achievements locally. In the work of selecting academicians from the two academies, reviewing national science and technology awards, and major national science and technology projects, etc., major scientific research results are guided through policies to be published in China's science and technology journals. Among them, key projects in the field of international cooperation require more than 50% of the papers co-authored by Chinese and foreign countries to be published in China's science and technology journals; most of the rest require a ratio of 20% or more and a gradual increase. Relevant requirements have also been put forward in some local science and technology planning projects.
Third, the science and technology journal publishing group continues to grow, and the pace of clustering development has accelerated markedly. Authorities in charge of science and technology journals have continuously improved the level and academic influence of science and technology journals in China through measures such as evaluating the effectiveness of publishing, expanding the size of the publication group, and constructing a pyramid-type multi-level publication group of “main journals - sub-magazines - partner magazines”. Currently, the total number of publication groups of the four leading science and technology journal publishing groups has reached 2,383, an increase of 1,111 over the end of 2024.
Fourth, initially establish a more open and scientific evaluation system for science and technology journals. A world scientific citation database covering about 31,000 domestic and foreign science and technology journals has been built, and a world-class science and technology journal evaluation index system covering the four dimensions of academic organization, academic leadership, academic influence, and social influence has been established to comprehensively consider the academic level and development capabilities of journals.
In the next step, the Ministry of Science and Technology will work with relevant departments and units to further improve the evaluation indicators for world-class science and technology journals, guide and motivate researchers to publish more scientific research results in China's science and technology journals and platforms, and support more science and technology journals to enter the world's top ranking.
Thank you.
Xiaoli Shou:
Keep asking questions. Two other reporters raised their hands, last two questions.
Dazhong News Dazhong Daily Reporter:
Scientific research integrity is the cornerstone of scientific and technological innovation. How will China promote the construction of scientific research integrity and continue to create a clean and good scientific research environment? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
Thank you. I would like Vice Minister Qiu Yong to answer this question.
Qiu Yong:
Thank you for your question. The issue of building integrity in scientific research has received widespread attention from all sectors of society. We know that honesty and trustworthiness are traditional virtues of our Chinese nation, and strict adherence to scientific research integrity is also the basic conduct of every science and technology worker. Our Ministry of Science and Technology, together with relevant departments, continues to establish and improve institutional mechanisms relating to scientific research integrity, strengthen positive publicity, education and guidance, adhere to a “zero tolerance” attitude, severely punish academic misconduct, and continue to create a clean and good scientific research environment.
The first is to improve the work system mechanism and continuously improve the scientific research integrity management pattern of collaborative and common governance. The Ministry of Science and Technology strengthens overall coordination and macroeconomic guidance for the construction of scientific research integrity. Relevant industry authorities and local governments at all levels strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity in the region of the system, and all types of scientific research institutions carry out the primary responsibility for building scientific research integrity. Continue to improve laws, regulations and policy systems combining prevention and punishment. Twenty-two departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology issued the “Rules for Investigating and Handling Untrustworthy Conduct in Scientific Research”, which clarified investigation procedures, certification standards, and punitive measures. The relevant departments have also formulated more than 30 relevant systems, covering various aspects such as improving the scientific research integrity work system, strengthening the honest management of science and technology plans and projects, and investigating and punishing academic misconduct.
The second is to severely punish untrustworthy behavior in scientific research and continue to release a “strict” signal. Take the lead in carrying out special rectification work for academic misdrafts, push relevant departments to establish and improve the normalized verification and processing mechanism for withdrawn papers in this system, and further consolidate the main responsibilities of scientific research units. Together with relevant departments, they continue to crack down on illegal acts such as the sale of papers. The relevant departments seriously deal with researchers who buy papers, as well as illegal business entities, websites, and online stores that sell papers, and publicly report typical cases. At the same time, establish a database of serious acts of loss of trust in scientific research integrity to support relevant parties to carry out scientific research integrity reviews in the establishment of science and technology projects, selection of academicians, science and technology awards, etc., and implement joint punishment for untrustworthy individuals and units in accordance with regulations.
The third is to vigorously promote the spirit of scientists and cultivate excellent work style and academic style. The “Promoting the Spirit of Scientists” column was set up in the central media to increase publicity for the “Two Bombs and One Star” founder and the older generation of scientists, and to work with relevant departments to select typical characters such as “models of the times” and “the most beautiful science and technology workers” to guide the vast majority of researchers to abide by scientific integrity and pass on the spirit of scientists. A demonstration presentation on the “First Button” of a good academic career was held. More than 1.7 million people participated to guide young science and technology workers to follow the path of scientific research.
Building integrity in scientific research requires continuous efforts and long-term efforts. In the next step, the Ministry of Science and Technology will work with relevant departments to improve the policy system and propose more practical measures to address current outstanding issues; consolidate the main responsibilities of scientific research units, strengthen active prevention and normalized management; strictly crack down on academic misconduct, and strengthen punishment and notification of untrustworthy behavior.
Thank you.
Xiaoli Shou:
Keep asking, last question.
Elephant News Reporter:
Recently, the World Intellectual Property Organization released the 2026 Global Top 100 Innovation Clusters list. China's three major international science and technology innovation centers all rank among the top in the world. Excuse me, how is the construction of China's international science and technology innovation center progressing? What is the next step to promote its upgrading? Thank you.
Yin He-joon:
Thank you for your question, I'll answer that question. The layout and construction of an international science and technology innovation center is a national strategic task personally planned, personally deployed, and personally promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping. At the end of last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping announced the strategic expansion of the International Science and Technology Innovation Center at the Central Economic Work Conference. The Ministry of Science and Technology, together with relevant departments, actively supports the three international science and technology innovation centers in Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei), Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta), and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to take advantage of the advantages of gathering scientific resources, organize scientific research, and support them to test policies such as technological finance innovation and convenient customs clearance of scientific research materials first. All regions are actively working to establish working mechanisms across provinces and cities, strengthen links between policy planning, etc., and deploy and implement major projects in an integrated manner. The three international science and technology innovation centers account for 58.8% of the country's R&D funding, and PCT international patent applications account for 81.1% of the country. Strong radiation drives the development of scientific and technological innovation in surrounding provinces, cities and the country. The construction of the three centers presented a new situation.
First, the spatial pattern is more optimized. Give full play to the strategic and leading functions of central cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen in the north, closely link surrounding cities, and form a city matrix to support the construction of international science and technology innovation centers. The Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) International Science and Technology Innovation Center uses Beijing's Zhongguancun as the source of innovation to build the Beijing-Tianjin-Beijing-Xiong New Quality Productivity Corridor, driving the three fulcrums of Tianjin Binhai New Area, Hebei Xiong'an New Area, and Shijiazhuang, and constructing a “one platform, two corridors, and three fulcrums” collaborative innovation pattern. The Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta) International Science and Technology Innovation Center is led by Shanghai, building the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, along the Shanghai-Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt, and the Hangzhou Bay Science and Technology Innovation Belt, driving 5 fulcrums including Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Hefei, and building a “one center, five fulcrums, one gallery and two belts” innovation backbone. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Science and Technology Innovation Center strengthens the interface between science and technology innovation systems and strengthens the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou and Macau-Zhuhai innovation clusters.
Second, the original ability to innovate is rapidly improving. The R&D investment intensity of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Province reached 4.48%, and a number of major scientific and technological achievements have emerged in the fields of artificial intelligence and biomantry. The Yangtze River Delta accounts for nearly 30% of the country's basic research funding. In 2025, enterprise basic research funding increased by 38.3% year-on-year, achieving key breakthroughs in the fields of integrated circuits and quantum technology. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area leverages Guangdong's industrial innovation and the advantages of science and education resources from Hong Kong and Macao to create an international scientific research environment. The three regions have jointly built 35 laboratories and 14,000 international cooperation papers, and their global influence has skyrocketed rapidly.
Third, the strength of industrial innovation has increased markedly. Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei has cultivated and formed trillion-level industrial clusters such as next-generation information technology, medicine and health, and scientific and technological services, and the artificial intelligence industry is developing rapidly. The Yangtze River Delta integrated circuit industry accounts for 3/5 of the country, and the biomedical industry accounts for 1/3 of the country. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is deeply embedded in the global innovation chain. PCT patent applications rank among the highest in the world, and the competitiveness of electronic information and other industries continues to grow.
In the next step, we will strengthen collaboration and departmental coordination between the central government and the region to jointly promote the construction of international science and technology innovation centers, further increase support in major task deployment, major platform construction, and policy testing first, enhance the three centres' scientific and technological innovation strategy capabilities, high-end industry leadership capabilities, and the ability to gather top talents, and accelerate the construction of an important strategic fulcrum for a scientific and technological power.
Thank you.
Xiaoli Shou:
Thank you Minister Yin, thank you to all the publishers, and thank all our reporters and friends for participating. That's all for today's press conference. Bye everyone.
This article was edited by China.com, Zhitong Finance Editor: Chen Wenfang.