Speaking at a Symposium on Basic Research in Shanghai on April 30, President Xi urged researchers to push the envelope on developing basic science. The recent 15th Five-year Plan increases the investment in basic science more than the overall increase in science and technology more broadly. There is a clear understanding in China that “basic science,” which often has no immediate applications for technology or the economy, assures the development of the next stage in science. It is the key to finding those “disruptive technologies” which can change the overall parameters of development.
In the speech, Xi stressed the need to strengthen basic research with greater effort and more concrete measures to enhance the country’s original innovation capabilities and further solidify the foundation for building a strong nation in science and technology.
