China's research, development spending surges 50 pct in 2024

China's research and development spending surged in 2024, up 50 percent from the end of the 13th Five-year Plan period (2016-2020), Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Zheng highlighted the significant progress China has made in advancing sci-tech innovation. "Last year, the total research and development spending across society increased by 50 percent, or 1.2 trillion yuan (about 166.7 billion U.S. dollars), compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period. The research and development spending intensity (or the expenditure on research and development as a percentage of its GDP) rose to 2.68 percent, approaching the average level of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries," said Zheng.

According to Zheng, China has secured leading positions in innovation across multiple critical technologies of national importance.

"Sci-tech advancements have been driving industrial upgrading toward medium- and high-end development, with many sectors accelerating their transformation from quantitative to qualitative growth, from low-medium to medium-high end development, and from followers to frontrunners. Facts have proven that decoupling and attempts to suppress China's development only strengthen our resolve and capability for self-reliance, and only accelerate the pace and breakthroughs of our independent innovations," he said.

China's research, development spending surges 50 pct in 2024

China's research, development spending surges 50 pct in 2024

China's research, development spending surges 50 pct in 2024

China's research, development spending surges 50 pct in 2024

China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.'s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Saturday.

It's reported that the U.S. launched military strikes on Venezuela and Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. has "successfully" carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife, have been taken and "flown out of the country."

Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region, the spokesperson said, adding that China firmly opposes it.

"We call on the U.S. to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security," said the spokesperson.

China strongly condemns U.S. use of force against Venezuela