China's rise in sci-tech: From stagnation to global power

Editor's note: Reform and opening-up policies hold the key to the destiny of contemporary China and determine the success of Chinese modernization. CGTN is rolling out a series of special reports to show how China is comprehensively deepening reform and opening wider to the world.

Landline home phones were a luxury in China back in the 1970s, when an average employee earned a few hundred yuan a month but had to pay a staggering 3,000 yuan for a new installation. Now, in 2024, new installations cost only 100 yuan ($13.8), while the average salary has increased to thousands of yuan.

The Chinese people can enjoy such drastic price cuts thanks to the country's sci-tech development. In the 1970s, China relied on imported telephone infrastructure. With no key technology at hand, the price of a phone service was largely decided by foreign tech powers. Now, China is a major player in 5G, with companies like Huawei and ZTE being industry leaders.

China's transformation from an underdeveloped nation to a global scientific powerhouse is a result of strategic planning and sustained investment. The cornerstone of this remarkable journey was the launch of the reform and opening-up policies in 1978.

Prior to this, China was mired in economic stagnation and poverty. Agriculture dominated the economy, characterized by low productivity and yields. Industry was underdeveloped, inefficient and heavily reliant on sectors like steel and coal.

Furthermore, the Cold War had limited China's access to advanced technology and new knowledge in foreign countries.

Recognizing the critical role of science and technology in driving economic growth, China made a pivotal shift in 1978 with the holding of the National Science Conference. The country's decision makers recognized science and technology as a "productive force" – a Marxist concept that drives the society forward. They embarked on a mission to rebuild the country's research infrastructure, foster collaboration with global researchers and align scientific endeavors with national development goals. In 1988, China's leadership further promoted sci-tech as the "primary productive force."

In 1995, China formalized its commitment to science by declaring it one of the two keys of national rejuvenation. The government further solidified this priority in 2006 with the Outline of National Medium- and Long-term Science and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020), elevating innovation to a national strategy.

This strategic focus bore fruit. By the end of 2023, China's research and development expenditure had skyrocketed over 200 times compared to 1991, reaching a staggering 3.3 trillion yuan ($460 billion). This massive investment fueled a vibrant innovation ecosystem, attracting and nurturing a burgeoning scientific workforce that grew ninefold to 6.35 million full-time equivalents by the end of 2023.

The results are undeniable. China's intellectual output has soared, with over 4 million invention patents granted by the end of 2023 – an 80-fold increase from 1991.

China's journey is a compelling case study of how strategic investment in science and technology can transform a nation's trajectory. By prioritizing research, development and innovation, China has catapulted itself into the ranks of global scientific leaders.

(Cover via CFP)