Strengthening confidence and further consolidating the foundations for building a strong country in science and technology

Editor's note: Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai on Thursday. The following are excerpts of a commentary about the speech published by People's Daily on Saturday.

The speech fully affirmed the historic achievements made in China's basic research, provided an in-depth analysis of the new circumstances and challenges facing its development, and set forth a strategic blueprint along with clear requirements for further strengthening basic research. It called for greater efforts and more concrete measures to strengthen basic research, enhance China's capacity for original innovation, and further solidify the foundation for building the country's strength in science and technology.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, China has placed the enhancement of original innovation capacity in a more prominent position. As a result, the overall strength and quality of basic research have markedly improved. Through continuous optimization of the research landscape, sustained increases in investment and support, and steady progress in institutional and mechanism innovation, a series of major original achievements in frontier basic research fields have emerged.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, investment in basic research experienced continuous and robust growth, reaching 277.8 billion yuan ($40.7 billion) in 2025. That figure represents an 11.1 percent year-on-year increase, pushing the sector's share of total research and development expenditure beyond the 7 percent threshold for the first time. This increase in funding has directly fueled groundbreaking breakthroughs, including leading-edge quantum technologies, artificial synthesis of starch from carbon dioxide, and globally influential open-source AI models.

These accomplishments have laid a solid foundation for building the country's strength in science and technology, and have further strengthened the confidence and resolve to consistently prioritize and reinforce basic research.

Practice has fully demonstrated that upholding the Party's overall leadership, particularly strengthening the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over scientific and technological work, constitutes the fundamental political guarantee for advancing basic research. By aligning closely with the strategic deployments of the CPC Central Committee, deeply recognizing the foundational and leading role of basic research in scientific and technological innovation, and implementing more forceful and targeted measures, China can firmly grasp the lifeline of technological development and secure the initiative in development.

The 20th National Congress of the CPC explicitly set forth the goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, 15 years ahead of the planned timetable for building a great modern socialist country in all respects. This highlights the strategic, pioneering and underpinning role of science and technology. A strong country in science and technology must be underpinned by solid basic research capabilities and robust original innovation capacity, capable of continuously producing major original and disruptive scientific and technological achievements.

At present, China stands at a critical stage of consolidating foundations and making comprehensive progress. The Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) has systematically laid out arrangements for elevating the level of basic research. On the new journey, it is imperative to seize the historical opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation.

Scientific and technological development must target the global science frontiers, serve the main economic battlefield, strive to fulfill the significant needs of the country and benefit people's lives and health.

Only by making sustained and long-term efforts to strengthen basic research, enhancing its capabilities for original innovation, and accelerating breakthroughs in key core and frontier technologies can China continuously consolidate the foundation for becoming a global leader in science and technology.

Looking back at history, from the era when China suffered from backwardness and vulnerability to aggression, to the present where the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has become an irreversible historical process, one profound truth stands out: whoever seizes the commanding heights of scientific and technological innovation will gain the strategic initiative amid profound global transformations. With less than a decade remaining before the 2035 goal, the task is pressing and the responsibility is significant.

We must rally closely around the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold a sense of urgency and perseverance, and strive to achieve new breakthroughs in basic research. Step by step, we will advance toward the grand goal of building China into a strong country in science and technology.