Xi Jinping pledges more funding and support for research in face of international competition
- In an article published in a Communist Party journal, Xi said the country must achieve technological self-reliance and urged businesses to help fund research
- He also said China should work to ensure its ‘own research platforms, instruments and equipment’ could solve fundamental scientific questions
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to boost investment and support for research into scientific fundamentals, saying the country must achieve technological self-reliance.
In an article published in the Communist Party’s theoretical journal Qiushi on Tuesday, Xi said strengthening fundamental research was an imperative for China.
He added that it was an urgent matter to build up research in the face of international scientific and technological competition.
The call comes amid the intensifying strategic competition between China and the United States in crucial technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, aerospace technology and biotech.
In the article, Xi called for a steady increase in funding and for a solid base for investment in research to be established.