N※N

China to focus on speeding up self-reliance in science and tech in new economic plan

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ce-in-science-and-tech-in-new-economic-plan.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 6:44 GMT by WNYT NewsChannel 13
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-10-23 300 x 168 / 12710 Bytes

2025-10-23 275 x 183 / 6936 Bytes

2025-10-23 275 x 183 / 11283 Bytes

2025-10-23 125 x 224 / 6796 Bytes

2025-10-23 310 x 162 / 7671 Bytes

China Accelerates Self‑Reliance in Science and Technology Under New Economic Blueprint

China’s latest economic blueprint, unveiled at the annual National People's Congress (NPC) in early 2024, marks a decisive shift toward greater autonomy in the country’s science and technology sectors. The plan, announced by Premier Li Qiang and endorsed by the State Council, is an ambitious response to the twin pressures of escalating U.S. export controls and an increasingly volatile global supply chain. In a series of speeches and accompanying documents, Chinese officials laid out a five‑year strategy to leapfrog foreign dependence, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing.

1. A Strategic Imperative

At the heart of the blueprint is a clear acknowledgment that China’s current reliance on imported high‑end components and critical technologies threatens its long‑term security and competitiveness. Premier Li framed the plan as “a national necessity” and underscored that the country must reduce its vulnerability to external shocks. The U.S. has tightened restrictions on Chinese firms such as Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), limiting their access to advanced lithography equipment and cutting‑edge software. China’s response, therefore, is to re‑invest in domestic research and development (R&D) and nurture homegrown talent.

The State Council’s draft “China’s Long‑Term Economic and Social Development Plan (2024‑2035)”—released through the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)—provides a structured roadmap. It identifies eight core pillars: digital economy, green transformation, high‑end manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, quantum information, semiconductors, and new materials. Each pillar includes specific targets for research output, investment, and industrial scale‑up.

2. Concrete Targets for Semiconductors

Semiconductors, the backbone of modern electronics, occupy a central place in the plan. China has historically imported more than 90 % of its advanced chips, especially those manufactured with 7 nm and below processes. The new blueprint sets a goal of achieving a domestic production capacity of 50 % for chips used in smartphones and 30 % for high‑performance computing and military systems by 2030. To support this, the government will increase funding for foundational research in quantum lithography and ultra‑low‑power transistor design, and will streamline regulatory approvals for domestic fabs.

A linked press release from the NDRC highlighted the creation of a “Semiconductor Strategic Innovation Fund” with an initial capital of 400 billion yuan (≈US$57 billion). The fund will focus on both public and private partnerships, with the aim of accelerating the development of 5 nm and 3 nm technology nodes in Chinese facilities. The plan also earmarks 100 billion yuan for “chip talent training,” emphasizing the need to cultivate engineers and scientists in semiconductor physics and materials science.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing

China’s AI ambitions are detailed in a dedicated “AI Development Action Plan” released by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The new economic blueprint integrates this action plan by targeting a 30 % increase in AI research publications and a doubling of AI‑powered industrial applications. The government will also allocate 250 billion yuan for “AI talent cultivation” and 180 billion yuan for “AI infrastructure,” including supercomputing clusters and cloud‑based AI platforms.

Quantum computing, viewed as the next frontier, receives a separate focus. The National Key R&D Program for Quantum Information Science, announced in 2022, is to be scaled up with an additional 80 billion yuan over the next three years. This funding will support quantum communication networks, secure quantum key distribution for government use, and the commercialization of quantum sensors for industrial and defense applications.

4. Green Energy and Climate Goals

While the blueprint’s primary emphasis is on technology self‑reliance, it also dovetails with China’s climate commitments. The plan projects a 50 % increase in the share of renewables in the national energy mix by 2035, with particular attention to solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind power. To achieve this, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has proposed a “Green Tech Investment Initiative” that will provide tax incentives and subsidies to firms developing high‑efficiency PV cells and offshore wind turbines.

The link to the Ministry’s policy document reveals that China aims to install an additional 120 GW of wind capacity and 160 GW of solar capacity by 2030, surpassing the current cumulative installations by roughly 25 %. The initiative also calls for the development of advanced battery storage technologies, with a goal of 200 GW of battery storage capacity by 2035.

5. Talent Development and International Collaboration

Recognizing that technology is ultimately human‑driven, the plan places a strong emphasis on education and talent pipelines. The Ministry of Education will roll out new curricula across universities, focusing on emerging fields such as nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and AI ethics. The blueprint also outlines a “Global Talent Exchange Program,” designed to attract overseas Chinese scholars and industry experts while maintaining stringent security vetting.

A linked policy brief from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights that the program will facilitate joint research centers between Chinese universities and leading institutions in Europe and Southeast Asia. The initiative aims to provide a dual benefit: exposing Chinese researchers to global best practices while protecting sensitive technology from unauthorized transfer.

6. Implications for the Global Market

Industry analysts suggest that China’s push for self‑reliance could reshape global supply chains. Companies such as Micron, Samsung, and Intel may face increased competition from domestic Chinese firms that, under the new plan, are set to accelerate their R&D cycles. On the other hand, the increased domestic investment in chip fabs and AI infrastructure may spur a wave of outsourcing for companies looking to tap into China’s manufacturing capabilities while avoiding U.S. technology restrictions.

The plan also raises questions about intellectual property and cybersecurity. Chinese officials have stressed that the strategy will “uphold international norms” and avoid infringing foreign patents. However, the rapid scaling of domestic R&D and the emphasis on “open‑source” platforms could blur the lines between collaboration and appropriation, particularly in sensitive sectors like quantum computing and AI.

7. Domestic Reception and Future Challenges

Within China, the announcement has been met with cautious optimism. The state‑owned media praised the blueprint as a “comprehensive and realistic roadmap” for achieving technological independence. However, business groups have expressed concerns about the potential short‑term costs of ramping up R&D and the uncertain return on investment for high‑risk projects.

The plan’s success will hinge on several factors: sustained political support, efficient allocation of resources, and the ability to mitigate supply‑chain bottlenecks, especially for critical materials like rare earths and advanced metals. Additionally, the global geopolitical climate—particularly the U.S. administration’s stance on technology export controls—will continue to shape China’s strategic options.

Conclusion

China’s new economic blueprint represents a bold, multi‑pronged strategy to secure its future in an increasingly fragmented global technology ecosystem. By setting ambitious targets for semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, and green energy, and by aligning these goals with robust talent development and international collaboration, the country aims to reduce its reliance on foreign technology while positioning itself as a global leader in next‑generation innovation. Whether the plan can deliver on its promises will be judged in the next five to ten years, as China wrestles with the twin demands of domestic ambition and international scrutiny.