China's technology market maintained strong growth momentum in the first four months of 2025, with the transaction value of technology contracts reaching 1.6 trillion yuan (about 222 billion U.S. dollars), up 13.3 percent year on year, according to the data released by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Thursday.
In the first four months of this year, a total of 228,000 technology contracts were registered nationwide, according to the data.
As a key component of the country's factor markets, the technology market has played a pivotal role in driving the integrated advancement of technological and industrial innovation.
In 2024, the total transaction value of technology contracts rose by 11.2 percent year on year to reach 6.8 trillion yuan, marking the eighth consecutive year of double-digit annual growth.
It also signaled the early achievement of the 5-trillion-yuan target set in the special plan for the technology factor market under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025).
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said, greater efforts will be made to guide enterprises on the demand side to become the main body of technology absorption and transformation, encourage universities and research institutions on the supply side to pursue market-oriented research and development, and guide professional institutions on the service side to provide targeted supply and demand matchmaking services, so as to accelerate the construction of a prosperous technology market ecosystem.
"Efforts will be made to improve the foundational systems of the technology market, including the registration of technical rights and interests, value discovery, transaction standards, and intellectual property protection. Meanwhile, work will be done to develop a unified national platform for technology transactions and to accelerate the establishment of a standardized system of technology trading rules," said Lyu Xianzhi, director of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
China's technology market sees robust growth in January-April
China's technology market sees robust growth in January-April
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
