Premier Li Qiang: China continued digital, innovation-driven development in 2025

A total of 583 national standards for key areas were formulated or revised in 2025 as China pursued innovation-driven development and continued to build a modernized industrial system, according to a government work report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday.

"We moved ahead with digital transformation of manufacturing and the AI Plus Initiative," said Li, noting that AI's industrial application gathered pace and new intelligent terminals emerged continuously.

He said that the potential of data as a production factor was unlocked more quickly, and the value added of core digital economy industries exceeded 10.5% of China's gross domestic product.

China has drafted the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, which was submitted Thursday to the top legislature for review.

Among the 20 main indicators outlined in the area of innovation, three indicators are proposed concerning investment and outcomes, said Li.

Based on a comprehensive assessment of the research and development spending growth trajectory and enterprise investment capacity, the draft outline projects an annual average increase of at least 7% in national research and development spending, the same as the target in the 14th Five-Year Plan. "This will ensure that research and development spending continues to grow at a steady pace," he said.