Innovation to remain key driver for China's development in 2026: expert

Innovation will remain a key driver for China's development in 2026 as leaders have emphasized innovation-driven growth at the annual Central Economic Work Conference recently held in Beijing.

Among the priorities for China's economic work in 2026, as outlined by the country's top leaders at the meeting, scientific and technological innovation ranks prominently.

The conference stressed the need to strengthen innovation-driven development to accelerate the cultivation of new growth drivers, with China set to launch a new round of high-quality development initiatives for key industrial chains.

"The development logic of China's industries emphasizes two key principles: building complete systems and prioritizing focal points. To build a high-quality industrial chain system, we must first ensure completeness across the board, while achieving breakthroughs in critical links and core areas to solve 'chokehold' bottlenecks. This new round of high-quality development initiatives for key industrial chains is crucial for building a modern industrial system in the next stage," said Lin Chen, professor of economics, Renmin University of China​.

China aims to establish international innovation hubs in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Policies will focus on boosting enterprise-led innovation, strengthening intellectual property protection in emerging industries, expanding service-sector capabilities, and advancing AI development through improved governance and tech-finance integration.

"Artificial intelligence is key to fostering new growth drivers. Built on the foundation of AI technology, new products emerge and novel application scenarios are created. The diffusion of AI technology holds great significance for China's industrial development, economic growth, and the establishment of a modern industrial system," Lin said.

Innovation to remain key driver for China's development in 2026: expert

The British government can no longer conceal the fact that British soldiers are involved in war against Russia, with at least 100 British nationals currently fighting Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

Many Western warmongers fantasize about deploying their troops to Ukraine under the guise of "peacekeepers," but for Russia, these so-called "peacekeepers" should become legitimate military targets, Lavrov said.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the same day that Britain has publicly confirmed the death of its serviceman in Ukraine, but contrary to British media reports, it was not the first death of a British soldier in Ukraine.

A member of the British armed forces died in a tragic accident in Ukraine on Tuesday morning while observing the testing of a new defensive capability, Britain's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The Times reported that British special forces are currently conducting covert operations in Ukraine, including assisting in training Ukrainian military personnel to use specific equipment. Additionally, a small number of medical personnel have been deployed to Ukraine, while other personnel provide security for British diplomatic missions in the country.

British nationals involved in military operations against Russia: Lavrov