Beijing, July 8: President Xi Jinping on Wednesday asked Chinese scientists and engineers to make the country a leading power in science and technology by 2035 to achieve high-level self-reliance. Xi said that accelerated efforts should be made to achieve high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and leverage sci-tech innovation to accelerate Chinese modernisation.
“We must seize the historic opportunity, rise to the challenges of the times, accelerate efforts to achieve high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and make steady progress toward the 2035 goal of becoming a leading country in science and technology,” Xi said while addressing a meeting here that brought together heads of the top scientific and engineering bodies of the country.
He said the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) is a critical phase for tackling tough challenges in building up the country’s strength in science and technology.
In recent years, China has made big strides in several frontier technologies such as AI, EVs and battery technology, aided by massive state support, a huge domestic market, strong manufacturing capabilities and a large pool of engineers.
On the AI front, China has made it a national strategic priority, aiming to become the world’s leading AI innovation centre with heavy investments from the government in research, computing infrastructure, semiconductor development, and talent cultivation. (PTI)
