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

The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.

The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.

In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.

Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.

Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.

Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.

The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.

History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.

South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.

U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.

In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.

They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.

They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.

U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide