Breakdown of Xi's Speech on China's Quest for Science & Technology Strength
Hi folks,
Earlier today, Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the 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 (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).
Below is a detailed breakdown of the full speech, which will undoubtedly be the top story in the People’s Daily tomorrow.
Xi told the gathering that “when science and technology flourish, the nation flourishes; when science and technology are strong, the country is strong. Our Party has always attached great importance to the development of science and technology. Since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee has deeply promoted the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, put forward the strategic task of accelerating the construction of an innovative country, established the goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, continuously deepened the reform of the science and technology system, fully stimulated the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of scientific and technological workers, and vigorously promoted scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement. As a result, China’s scientific and technological undertakings have achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic transformations.”
“New breakthroughs have been achieved in basic frontier research, and a number of major original achievements have been made in the fields of quantum technology, life sciences, material sciences, space sciences, etc. The two core conjectures of differential geometry have been successfully proven, small chemical molecules have induced the reprogramming of human cells, and the artificial synthesis of starch from carbon dioxide has achieved a ‘technological creation.’ New strides have been made in strategic high-tech fields: the Chang'e mission exploring the moon, the Tianhe module operating in space, the Tianwen mission probing Mars, the ‘Crust-1’ drilling deep into the Earth, the submersible Fendouzhe exploring the depths of the ocean, and the world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant beginning commercial operations. Innovation-driven high-quality development has achieved new results. Emerging industries such as integrated circuits and artificial intelligence have flourished, the first 6G satellite has been successfully launched, BeiDou navigation provides precise global services, domestically produced large aircraft have commenced commercial flights, high-speed rail technology has set international standards, new energy vehicles are adding new momentum to the global automotive industry, and advancements in biological breeding, new drug creation, and green low-carbon technologies are supporting food security, health initiatives, and the construction of a Healthy China and Beautiful China. The reform of the science and technology system has opened up a new situation, the science and technology management system has been reshaped, the national strategic science and technology forces have been accelerated, and the vitality of innovation entities and talents has been further released. New progress has been made in international openness and cooperation. We have initiated international science and technology cooperation initiatives, and taken the lead in organizing major international science programs. China’s influence as an important pole of global innovation continues to grow. All these have laid a solid foundation for building China into a powerful country in science and technology.” 科技兴则民族兴，科技强则国家强。我们党历来高度重视科技事业发展。党的十八大以来，党中央深入推动实施创新驱动发展战略，提出加快建设创新型国家的战略任务，确立2035年建成科技强国的奋斗目标，不断深化科技体制改革，充分激发科技人员积极性、主动性、创造性，有力推进科技自立自强，我国科技事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革。基础前沿研究实现新突破，在量子科技、生命科学、物质科学、空间科学等领域取得一批重大原创成果，微分几何学两大核心猜想被成功证明，化学小分子诱导人体细胞实现重编程，二氧化碳人工合成淀粉实现“技术造物”。战略高技术领域迎来新跨越，“嫦娥”揽月，“天和”驻空，“天问”探火，“地壳一号”挺进地球深处，“奋斗者”号探秘万米深海，全球首座第四代核电站商运投产。创新驱动引领高质量发展取得新成效，集成电路、人工智能等新兴产业蓬勃发展，第一颗6G卫星发射成功，北斗导航提供全球精准服务，国产大飞机实现商飞，高铁技术树起国际标杆，新能源汽车为全球汽车产业增添新动力，生物育种、新药创制、绿色低碳技术助力粮食安全和健康中国、美丽中国建设。科技体制改革打开新局面，科技管理体制实现重塑，国家战略科技力量加快布局，创新主体和人才活力进一步释放。国际开放合作取得新进展，主动发起国际科技合作倡议，牵头组织国际大科学计划，我国作为全球创新重要一极的影响力持续提升。这些都为建成科技强国打下了坚实基础.
In the next paragraph, Xi outlines the important experiences that have been accumulated:
“adhere to the overall leadership of the Party, strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over scientific and technological work; observe the general trend, take the overall situation into consideration for planning, and grasp the fundamentals to ensure that the development of science and technology always moves in the right direction.
adhere to the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics, rely on self-reliance and hard work, leverage the advantages of our socialist system of concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks, promote high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and firmly grasp the lifeline of science and technology and the initiative of development in our own hands.
adhere to innovation-driven development, establish the concept that grasping innovation is grasping development and pursuing innovation is pursuing the future, lead high-quality development and use scientific and technological innovation to lead high-quality development and ensure high-level security.
adhere to the strategic positioning of the ‘four orientations‘, i.e., focus on the forefront of world science and technology, the main economic battlefield, the major needs of the country, and the health of the people. Strengthen the deployment and layout of the entire chain and all fields of scientific and technological innovation to comprehensively enhance scientific and technological strength and innovation capability.
adhere to stimulating innovation vitality through deepening reform, resolutely eliminate ideological concepts and institutional mechanisms that hinder scientific and technological innovation, and effectively transform institutional advantages into competitive advantages in science and technology.
promote a virtuous cycle of education, science and technology, and talents; comprehensively implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, the strategy of strengthening the country through talents, and the strategy of innovation-driven development; and promote education development, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation in an integrated manner.
persist in cultivating innovative culture, inherit the innovative genes of Chinese excellent traditional culture, create an environment that encourages exploration and tolerates failure, and make the admiration of science and the pursuit of innovation a common practice in society.
adhere to open cooperation in science and technology for the benefit of mankind, pursue an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and contribute Chinese wisdom and China’s strength to meet global challenges and promote human development and progress.
These experiences are invaluable and must be adhered to for a long time and continuously enriched and developed in practice.”
在新时代科技事业发展实践中，我们不断深化规律性认识，积累了许多重要经验。主要是：坚持党的全面领导，加强党中央对科技工作的集中统一领导，观大势、谋全局、抓根本，保证科技事业发展始终沿着正确方向前进。坚持走中国特色自主创新道路，立足自力更生、艰苦奋斗，发挥我国社会主义制度集中力量办大事的优势，推进高水平科技自立自强，把科技命脉和发展主动权牢牢掌握在自己手中。坚持创新引领发展，树牢抓创新就是抓发展、谋创新就是谋未来的理念，以科技创新引领高质量发展、保障高水平安全。坚持“四个面向”的战略导向，面向世界科技前沿、面向经济主战场、面向国家重大需求、面向人民生命健康，加强科技创新全链条部署、全领域布局，全面增强科技实力和创新能力。坚持以深化改革激发创新活力，坚决破除束缚科技创新的思想观念和体制机制障碍，切实把制度优势转化为科技竞争优势。坚持推动教育科技人才良性循环，统筹实施科教兴国战略、人才强国战略、创新驱动发展战略，一体推进教育发展、科技创新、人才培养。坚持培育创新文化，传承中华优秀传统文化的创新基因，营造鼓励探索、宽容失败的良好环境，使崇尚科学、追求创新在全社会蔚然成风。坚持科技开放合作造福人类，奉行互利共赢的开放战略，为应对全球性挑战、促进人类发展进步贡献中国智慧和中国力量。这些经验弥足珍贵，必须长期坚持并在实践中不断丰富发展.
In the next section, Xi says that currently humanity is in an era where “technological innovation has entered an unprecedented period of intensive activity, and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology have emerged in a concentrated manner, triggering chain changes. At the same time, the world is experiencing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with the technological revolution intertwined with great power competition. Increasingly, high-tech fields have become the forefront and main battleground of international competition, profoundly reshaping the global order and development landscape. Although China’s scientific and technological undertakings have made significant progress, its original innovation capabilities are still relatively weak, with some key core technologies being controlled by others, and there being a shortage of top scientific talent. There is an urgent need to further enhance the sense of urgency, intensify efforts in scientific and technological innovation, and seize the strategic heights of technological competition and future development.” 技术创新进入前所未有的密集活跃期，人工智能、量子技术、生物技术等前沿技术集中涌现，引发链式变革。与此同时，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，科技革命与大国博弈相互交织，高技术领域成为国际竞争最前沿和主战场，深刻重塑全球秩序和发展格局。虽然我国科技事业发展取得了长足进步，但原始创新能力还相对薄弱，一些关键核心技术受制于人，顶尖科技人才不足，必须进一步增强紧迫感，进一步加大科技创新力度，抢占科技竞争和未来发展制高点。
He then refers to the plans outlined at the 20th Party Congress, and stresses the importance of appreciating the “strategic leading position and fundamental supporting role of science and technology” in China’s overall modernisation. He added:
“The strong science and technology nation we aim to build should possess world-leading scientific strength and innovation capabilities; should support the overall enhancement of economic strength, national defense, and comprehensive national power, should improve human well-being, and should promote global development. It must possess the following essential elements:
First, it must have strong basic research and original innovation capabilities, and continuously produce major original and disruptive scientific and technological achievements.
Second, it must have strong capabilities in tackling key core technologies, effectively supporting high-quality development and high-level security.
Third, it must have strong international influence and leadership, and become an important scientific center and innovation highland in the world.
Fourth, it must have strong capabilities in cultivating and attracting high-level scientific and technological talent, and continuously expand the pool of top international scientific talent and national strategic scientific and technological forces.
Fifth, it must have a strong science and technology governance system and governance capabilities to establish a world-class innovation ecology and scientific research environment.”
我们要建成的科技强国，应当具有居于世界前列的科技实力和创新能力，支撑经济实力、国防实力、综合国力整体跃升，增进人类福祉，推动全球发展。必须具备以下基本要素：一是拥有强大的基础研究和原始创新能力，持续产出重大原创性、颠覆性科技成果。二是拥有强大的关键核心技术攻关能力，有力支撑高质量发展和高水平安全。三是拥有强大的国际影响力和引领力，成为世界重要科学中心和创新高地。四是拥有强大的高水平科技人才培养和集聚能力，不断壮大国际顶尖科技人才队伍和国家战略科技力量。五是拥有强大的科技治理体系和治理能力，形成世界一流的创新生态和科研环境.
Then Xi talked about the fact that the 2035 goal is just 11 years away and requires concerted effort across the following five domains.
First, fully leverage the advantages of the new national system to accelerate the advancement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening. Under this, Xi said:
“It is necessary to improve the system of centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over scientific and technological work; strengthen strategic planning, policy measures, major tasks, research forces, resource platforms, and regional innovation; build a coordinated and efficient decision-making and command system and organizational implementation system; and gather a strong synergy to promote scientific and technological innovation. It is necessary to fully harness the decisive role of the market in allocating scientific and technological resources while better utilizing the various functions of the government. This involves mobilizing the enthusiasm of all links in the industry-academia-research chain to create a collaborative working pattern for jointly tackling key core technologies. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of national strategic scientific and technological forces, optimize their positioning and layout, improve the national laboratory system, and enhance the integrated capabilities of the national innovation system. It is necessary to maintain strategic focus, adhere to doing what we must do and not doing what we mustn’t (i.e., prioritise certain actions and areas while deliberately choosing not to pursue others), emphasise national strategic needs, implement scientific and technological strategic deployments in several key areas, refine and implement a batch of new major scientific and technological projects, form competitive advantages, and gain the strategic initiative. It is necessary to improve the organization of basic research, improve the investment mechanism that combines competitive support and stable support, strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at major scientific issues, while also encouraging free exploration. At the same time, encourage free exploration, strive to propose original basic theories, master fundamental technological principles, and solidify the foundation of scientific and technological innovation.” 第一，充分发挥新型举国体制优势，加快推进高水平科技自立自强。要完善党中央对科技工作集中统一领导的体制，加强战略规划、政策措施、重大任务、科研力量、资源平台、区域创新等方面的统筹，构建协同高效的决策指挥体系和组织实施体系，凝聚推动科技创新的强大合力。要充分发挥市场在科技资源配置中的决定性作用，更好发挥政府各方面作用，调动产学研各环节的积极性，形成共促关键核心技术攻关的工作格局。要加强国家战略科技力量建设，优化定位和布局，完善国家实验室体系，增强国家创新体系一体化能力。要保持战略定力，坚持有所为有所不为，突出国家战略需求，在若干重要领域实施科技战略部署，凝练实施一批新的重大科技项目，形成竞争优势，赢得战略主动。要提高基础研究组织化程度，完善竞争性支持和稳定支持相结合的投入机制，强化面向重大科学问题的协同攻关，同时鼓励自由探索，努力提出原创基础理论、掌握底层技术原理，筑牢科技创新根基和底座.
“Second, solidly promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, and support the development of new quality productive forces. The basis of integration is to increase the supply of high-quality science and technology. It is necessary to focus on the key areas and weak links in the construction of a modern industrial system, and increase the intensity of technological research and development to ensure the autonomy, security and controllability of important industrial chains and supply chains. It is necessary to aim at the commanding heights of future science and technology and industrial development, accelerate scientific and technological innovation in the fields of new generation information technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, new energy, new materials, etc., and cultivate and develop emerging industries and future industries. It is necessary to actively use new technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries, and promote the high-end, intelligent and green development of industries.” 第二，扎实推动科技创新和产业创新深度融合，助力发展新质生产力。融合的基础是增加高质量科技供给。要聚焦现代化产业体系建设的重点领域和薄弱环节，针对集成电路、工业母机、基础软件、先进材料、科研仪器、核心种源等瓶颈制约，加大技术研发力度，为确保重要产业链供应链自主安全可控提供科技支撑。要瞄准未来科技和产业发展制高点，加快新一代信息技术、人工智能、量子科技、生物科技、新能源、新材料等领域科技创新，培育发展新兴产业和未来产业。要积极运用新技术改造提升传统产业，推动产业高端化、智能化、绿色化.
Under this point, Xi also talks about strengthening “the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation”, supporting “scientific and technological innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises and private enterprises”, and encouraging enterprises to work closely with universities and scientific research institutions. He also talked about leveraging China's industrial advantages and the advantages of its vast market to promote the widespread application and iterative upgrading of independently developed products.
He added: “It is necessary to do a good job in the field of science and technology finance, guiding financial capital to invest early, invest in small-scale projects, invest for the long term, and invest in hard technology.” 要做好科技金融这篇文章，引导金融资本投早、投小、投长期、投硬科技.
Third, he stressed the importance of comprehensively deepening the reform of the science and technology system and mechanism. Under this, he called to:
“adhere to the combination of goal orientation and problem orientation, deepen the reform of the science and technology management system, coordinate the construction of various innovation platforms, and strengthen the coordination of innovation resources and the organization of forces in order to address the low degree of organization and coordination of science and technology innovation in China, the dispersion and duplication of science and technology resources.” 要坚持目标导向和问题导向相结合，针对我国科技创新组织化协同化程度不高，科技资源分散、重复等问题，深化科技管理体制改革，统筹各类创新平台建设，加强创新资源统筹和力量组织。
He also called to “improve the regional science and technology innovation layout, strengthen the coordination and linkage between the central and local governments, and create an innovation highland with global influence” and “improve the management of science and technology plans, deepen the reform of the mechanism for the allocation and management of science and technology funds, give scientific research units and researchers greater autonomy, and improve the efficiency of science and technology innovation investment.” 完善区域科技创新布局，强化央地协同联动，打造具有全球影响力的创新高地。要改进科技计划管理，深化科技经费分配和管理使用机制改革，赋予科研单位和科研人员更大自主权，提升科技创新投入效能。
Xi then said:
“In recent years, there has been positive progress in reducing the burden on researchers, but many researchers still report significant non-academic burdens.” To address this, he called to improve the “evaluation system and assessment mechanism that conforms to the laws of scientific research activities”; improve incentive systems such as scientific and technological awards, income distribution, etc; and “continue to rectify the excessive issuance of ‘hats’ and ‘labels’, allowing researchers to be single-minded and concentrate on their research, effectively reducing distractions and strain caused by pursuing projects, publishing papers, evaluating awards, and competing for resources. 近年来，为科研人员松绑减负工作取得了积极进展，但也有不少科研人员反映，各种非学术负担仍然较重。要坚持“破四唯”和“立新标”相结合，加快健全符合科研活动规律的分类评价体系和考核机制。要完善科技奖励、收入分配、成果赋权等激励制度，让更多优秀人才得到合理回报、释放创新活力。要持续整治滥发“帽子”、“牌子”之风，让科研人员心无旁骛、潜心钻研，切实减少为报项目、发论文、评奖励、争资源而分心伤神.
The fourth point that Xi made is about nurturing science and technology talents. In this context, he stressed on education and pointed to the shortage of talent supply. To achieve better talent supply, he said:
“It is necessary to adhere to the demand for scientific and technological innovation as the driving force, optimize the discipline at higher education institutions, innovate the training mode of talents, and effectively improve the level and quality of independently training talents. It is necessary to prioritize the construction of national strategic talent as a top priority, focus on cultivating strategic scientists, leading talents in science and technology, and innovative teams. It is crucial to cultivate outstanding engineers, skilled craftsmen, and high-level technical talents. It is necessary to strengthen the training of young scientific and technological talents, fully trust them, empower them, carefully guide them, and warmly care for them, encouraging more young outstanding talents to emerge. It is necessary to implement a more active, open and effective talent policy, accelerate the formation of an internationally competitive talent system, and build an innovative highland that gathers global intellectual resources. The growth and development of talents are inseparable from the nurturing of an innovative cultural environment. It is necessary to continue to create a social atmosphere that respects labour, knowledge, talents, and creativity, vigorously promote the spirit of scientists, and encourage the majority of scientific researchers to have lofty ambitions, patriotic dedication, and unwavering commitment to innovation. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity and academic work conduct, promoting the formation of a clean and upright research ecology.” 当前，我国人才培养与科技创新供需不匹配的结构性矛盾比较突出。要坚持以科技创新需求为牵引，优化高等学校学科设置，创新人才培养模式，切实提高人才自主培养水平和质量。要把加快建设国家战略人才力量作为重中之重，着力培养造就战略科学家、一流科技领军人才和创新团队，着力培养造就卓越工程师、大国工匠、高技能人才。要突出加强青年科技人才培养，对他们充分信任、放手使用、精心引导、热忱关怀，促使更多青年拔尖人才脱颖而出。要实行更加积极、更加开放、更加有效的人才政策，加快形成具有国际竞争力的人才制度体系，构筑汇聚全球智慧资源的创新高地。人才成长和发展，离不开创新文化土壤的滋养。要持续营造尊重劳动、尊重知识、尊重人才、尊重创造的社会氛围，大力弘扬科学家精神，激励广大科研人员志存高远、爱国奉献、矢志创新。要加强科研诚信和作风学风建设，推动形成风清气正的科研生态.
“Fifth, it is necessary to deeply practice the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and promote open cooperation in science and technology. Scientific and technological progress is a global and contemporary issue, and only open cooperation is the right way. The more complex the international environment is, the more we should open our minds and doors, coordinate openness and security, and achieve self-reliance and self-improvement through open cooperation. It is necessary to deeply implement international scientific and technological cooperation initiatives, broaden channels for government and private sector exchanges and cooperation, leverage platforms like BRI, take the lead in organizing international large-scale scientific plans and projects, and support researchers from various countries to jointly tackle key problems. It is necessary to actively integrate into the global innovation network, deeply participate in global science and technology governance, work with countries around the world to create an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory international science and technology development environment, jointly respond to global challenges such as climate change, food security and energy security, and make science and technology better benefit mankind.” 第五，深入践行构建人类命运共同体理念，推动科技开放合作。科技进步是世界性、时代性课题，唯有开放合作才是正道。国际环境越复杂，我们越要敞开胸怀、打开大门，统筹开放和安全，在开放合作中实现自立自强。要深入践行国际科技合作倡议，拓宽政府和民间交流合作渠道，发挥共建“一带一路”等平台作用，牵头组织好国际大科学计划和大科学工程，支持各国科研人员联合攻关。要积极融入全球创新网络，深度参与全球科技治理，同世界各国携手打造开放、公平、公正、非歧视的国际科技发展环境，共同应对气候变化、粮食安全、能源安全等全球性挑战，让科技更好造福人类.
Towards the end, Xi expressed hope that “scientific and technological workers will consciously integrate their academic pursuits into the great cause of building a strong country in science and technology.” He also called on leading cadres at all levels to attach importance to learning new scientific and technological knowledge and enhancing their abilities to lead and promote scientific and technological work.