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China seeks to speed up self-reliance in science and tech in new economic plan
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Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 13:43 GMT by Detroit News🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
China Accelerates Drive Toward Science and Technology Self‑Reliance
On October 23, 2025, The Detroit News reported that Beijing is taking bold new steps to accelerate China’s transition to “full‑scale self‑reliance” in science and technology, a move that could reshape global supply chains and alter the balance of technological power. The article, anchored in a press release from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and supplemented by a statement from the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence, outlines a comprehensive strategy that focuses on semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and advanced materials.
A Three‑Tiered Approach
China’s policy framework is built around three interconnected tiers:
Foundational R&D Investment – The government is earmarking an additional 2.8 trillion yuan (≈ $390 billion) for basic research in high‑impact areas such as quantum computing and next‑generation semiconductor physics. This figure is part of a broader $1.6 trillion annual budget for science and technology announced in 2024, marking a 12 % increase over the previous year.
Industrial Ecosystem Building – The ministry has outlined a “National Semiconductor Industrial Base” that will create 20 new high‑tech clusters across the country, each cluster expected to house at least 500 semiconductor design and fabrication firms. To accelerate the cluster development, the state is offering tax credits, land subsidies, and preferential loan terms through the China Development Bank.
Talent Development and Global Collaboration – A new “Talent in Science and Technology” program will provide 10 million scholarships and post‑doctoral fellowships to attract foreign scholars and domestic talent alike. The program also aims to create a “Technology Innovation Exchange” platform that connects Chinese universities with global research institutions, with a particular focus on “dual‑use” technologies.
Semiconductor Self‑Sufficiency: The New Flagship
Semiconductors have become the linchpin of China’s self‑reliance agenda. According to the MOST release, the country’s domestic production of logic chips rose from 6 % of global output in 2023 to 8 % in 2025, and the plan now sets a target of 30 % by 2035. To reach this milestone, the Chinese government has:
Boosted Manufacturing Capacity – Subsidies totaling 500 billion yuan (≈ $70 billion) have been approved for new fabs in the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and the northern province of Shanxi. These facilities will focus on 28‑nanometer (nm) and 14‑nm process nodes, with the ultimate goal of moving into 7‑nm and 5‑nm processes by 2030.
Expanded Local Supply Chains – The policy encourages the development of local equipment suppliers, such as Shanghai Micro Electronics and Beijing Semiconductor Equipment Co., to reduce reliance on Japanese and German firms. Incentives include joint venture tax breaks and a “Semiconductor Supply Chain Resilience Fund” that will invest in critical materials like polysilicon and high‑purity gases.
Promoted Domestic Foundry Innovation – China’s state‑owned SMIC has been awarded a $1.8 billion loan from the China Development Bank for the construction of a 5‑nm fab, the first of its kind in the country. Analysts say this could reduce the technology gap between Chinese foundries and the world’s leading players like TSMC and Samsung.
The policy also emphasizes a “dual‑use” approach, wherein semiconductor research feeds both civilian applications—smartphones, electric vehicles—and military uses, such as advanced radar and cyber‑defence systems. A spokesperson for the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence explained, “Our goal is to build a self‑contained semiconductor ecosystem that supports both civilian innovation and national security.”
Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing
China’s push extends beyond chips. The MOST statement noted a 15 % increase in funding for AI research, with a focus on “high‑level AI chip design” and “algorithm‑hardware co‑design.” In the quantum domain, the government is allocating 200 billion yuan (≈ $28 billion) for the construction of a national quantum research center in Chengdu, featuring a 1‑micron‑scale quantum processor. The center will collaborate with overseas partners such as the University of Oxford and MIT through the “Quantum Science Exchange” initiative, which offers joint grant programs and student mobility.
Advanced Materials and Robotics
In materials science, the policy targets “next‑generation batteries, aerospace alloys, and 2D materials.” A pilot program has been launched in Shanghai to develop solid‑state batteries, with the aim of producing a 100 Wh/kg energy density by 2030. For robotics, the Ministry announced a $400 million investment in autonomous manufacturing, targeting 30 % of all production lines in automotive plants by 2035.
International Reactions
The Washington Post’s analysis, linked in the Detroit News article, notes that U.S. lawmakers are concerned that China’s self‑reliance strategy could undermine the current dominance of American companies in critical technology markets. Senator Mike Rounds (R‑SD) said in a Senate hearing, “If China achieves these goals, the U.S. will find itself behind in a field that determines national security and economic prosperity.” The article also quoted a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, who emphasized that the initiative is driven by “national resilience” rather than “aggression.”
Potential Impacts
The policy signals a significant shift in global technology economics:
Supply Chain Decoupling – The accelerated domestic production could reduce the United States’ and European Union’s reliance on Chinese components for critical sectors, but it may also prompt retaliatory measures, such as export controls on key materials.
Innovation Acceleration – With increased R&D funding, China may become a global leader in quantum and AI technologies, potentially outpacing the U.S. in areas such as high‑performance computing.
Geopolitical Tensions – The dual‑use nature of the program could heighten security concerns, prompting other countries to reassess their own supply chain vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
China’s ambitious “self‑reliance” policy is a clear indication that the country is determined to transform itself from a technology consumer into a technology producer. While the plan is still in its early stages, the scale of investment and the speed of execution suggest that Beijing is prepared to challenge the existing global technology hierarchy within the next decade. For investors, policymakers, and academics, the next few years will be pivotal in assessing how this strategy will reshape the global tech landscape and alter the balance of power between the United States and China.
Read the Full Detroit News Article at:
[ https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2025/10/23/china-seeks-to-speed-up-self-reliance-in-science-and-tech/86855074007/ ]
