Page 12 - The Indian EYE 101626

OPINION OCTOBER 16, 2026 | The Indian Eye 12

The Evolution of

China’s Science and

Technology Policy

The Chinese political leadership continues to place utmost importance on promoting
science for economic development. However, technology’s impact on society, especially

in the era of automation, remains challenging

OPANGMEREN JAMIR China’s economic transformation before the 1978 opening and reform, its rise from one of the poorest countries to the world’s second-largest
economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product is no small achievement (IDSA)
t the National Science and
Technology Award Confer-
Aence held on 8 July 2026 in Chinese government’s strong focus often used as a single entity. But in tion depend on progress in basic sci-
Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping on science and technology, this brief reality, both have distinct meanings entific knowledge. Hence, scientific
called upon the members of the Chi- examines the factors behind the Chi- and activities, yet they are highly in- powerhouses like China consistently
nese Academy of Sciences and the nese political fascination with science terdependent. In general, ‘science’ focus on strengthening basic research
Chinese Academy of Engineering to and technology. It briefly reviews the seeks knowledge based on truth, to enhance their capacity for original
“accelerate efforts” to become a lead- importance of science to economic whereas ‘technology’ employs that innovation.
ing country in science and technology growth, which helps explain one of particular knowledge, derived from China’s economic transfor-
by 2035. This comes against the back- the fundamental reasons the Chinese science, to solve practical problems. mation before the 1978 opening
drop of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan political leadership continues to pri- Thus, amid persistent debate over and reform, its rise from one of the
(FYP) (2026–2030), approved in oritise promoting science. whether to emphasise basic scientific poorest countries to the world’s sec-
March 2026, which set an ambitious research or disruptive technology in- ond-largest economy in terms of
goal of increasing average annual Science and Technology for novation research, it is generally rec- Gross Domestic Product is no small
investment in research and develop- Economic Growth ognised that basic scientific research achievement. Among the most strik-
ment (R&D) by at least 7 per cent. In everyday conversation, the has a broader impact than the latter, ing features that have captured the
Against the backdrop of the terms ‘science’ and ‘technology’ are as technological change and innova- Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com