China targets AI and frontier tech in newly unveiled innovation blueprint
China’s top state research body has put artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies at the heart of its new five-year plan, unveiled on Monday, as global competition in science and technology heats up. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China’s highest academic institution, laid out a detailed blueprint for research and technology development aligned with the country’s 15th five-year…
China's top research institution, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has prioritized artificial intelligence (AI) and frontier technologies in its newly released five-year plan, unveiled on Monday. The plan, which spans 2026 to 2030, underscores China's commitment to innovation in key sectors like AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, life sciences, biotechnology, brain-computer interfaces, and controlled nuclear fusion.
The blueprint emphasizes the integration of AI into scientific research, aiming to accelerate breakthroughs in basic and strategic technologies, as well as sustainable development. China Science Daily, the academy's official newspaper, highlights the plan's focus on transforming scientific research through AI-driven methods.
To bolster China's scientific talent pool, the plan proposes training strategic scientists, top engineers, young researchers, and innovation teams. It also seeks to attract high-level domestic and overseas talent, while strengthening international scientific cooperation.
This plan comes amid heightened global competition in science and technology. China's science and technology budget has steadily increased since 2020, with the Ministry of Finance projecting an annual growth rate of over 7% from 2026 to 2030. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of basic research in achieving global leadership in science and technology.
Several of the technologies highlighted by the academy are also strategic priorities for the United States, including biotechnology, quantum information science, and semiconductors. The US has imposed export controls on advanced semiconductors and related technologies on China, while China has responded with export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals.
These restrictions have heightened competition between the two nations, raising concerns over the potential impact on global technology supply chains. However, no progress appears to have been made on semiconductor chip export controls during President Xi's recent summit with US President Donald Trump.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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