China science: 7 sectors to get extra R&D funding, support as Beijing pushes for global leader status

Artificial intelligence and quantum information are among the seven key areas China has identified as priorities for development as it seeks to become a global leader in the scientific field by 2035.

Integrated circuits, brain sciences, genetics and biotechnology, clinical medicine and health care, and deep Earth, sea, space and polar exploration were named as the other five sectors that will be given priority in terms of funding and resources, according to a draft of the government’s 14th five-year plan for 2021-25, and its vision through 2035.

The draft, which was released on Friday at the opening session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, said innovation and technological self-sufficiency were at the core of China’s strategy to “develop new advantages” in the face of increased hostility and decoupling pressures from major Western countries.

“Internationally speaking, unstable and uncertain factors are increasing. Our innovation capability is not strong in some key fields,” Premier Li Keqiang said as he delivered the government’s annual work report.