China has achieved noteworthy industrial scientific and technological breakthroughs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), accelerating its transformation into an innovation-driven economy, officials said at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
The press conference highlighted efforts to advance new industrialization and strengthen the foundations of the real economy, with an emphasis on independent innovation and high-end manufacturing.
"Over the past five years, China has steadily increased investment in innovation. The research and development expenditure of manufacturing enterprises above the designated scale now exceeds 1.6 percent of their operating revenue. More than 570 Chinese industrial companies have ranked among the world's top 2,500 in research and development spending. China's industrial sci-tech innovation has entered a new phase where it is pacing up from follower to peer and increasingly becoming a lead runner," said Li Lecheng, minister of Industry and Information Technology.
"Landmark achievements such as the successful lunar landing of Chang'e probes, the Tianhe core module's deployment in space, the completion of the BeiDou satellite constellation, and the commercial launch of the domestically-produced C919 passenger jet all reflect this progress. Other major milestones include the completion and operation of the large cruise ship Adora Magic City, the rollout of the CR450 high-speed trains, and the development of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines, which filled a critical gap in domestic medical equipment capabilities. Breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, such as the anti-cancer drug Zanubrutinib, now globally recognized as a 'blockbuster medication,' as well as cutting-edge advances in artificial intelligence and quantum communication, have produced a number of innovation outcomes with global impact and recognition," said Li.
China's sci-tech innovation fruitful in past 5 years: officials
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
