The leader spoke at the National Science and Technology Awards Conference, held in conjunction with the assemblies of members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology.

Xi stated that the period of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) represents a decisive stage in building a scientific and technological powerhouse.

The president emphasized that China must seize historic opportunities, face current challenges, and drive scientific innovation to support the country’s modernization.

Xi noted that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, innovation has held a central place in the national development strategy, and he affirmed that the country is transitioning from a participant and contributor to a pioneer and leader in science and technology.

The leader urged strengthening national innovation capacity, improving the coordination of scientific resources, accelerating the transformation of research results into productive forces, and reinforcing intellectual property protection.

He also called for expanding the training of young scientists, increasing the efficiency of research investment, deepening the reform of the scientific evaluation system, and strengthening governance regarding ethics and technological security. In the ceremony, Xi presented the 2025 State Preeminent Science and Technology Award to academicians Chen Liquan, of the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Ben De, of the No. 14 Research Institute of the China Electronics Technology Group.

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