Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

China to expand global access to innovation achievements: spokeswoman

China

China to expand global access to innovation achievements: spokeswoman
China

China

China to expand global access to innovation achievements: spokeswoman

2026-01-14 20:14 Last Updated At:20:37

China will continue to promote open cooperation, ensure broader global access to its innovation outcomes, and contribute to worldwide development and prosperity, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

The statement comes as China recently unveiled a series of innovations, after breaking into the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index last year.

According to the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China has risen to 10th place in the global innovation ranking, up one spot from the previous year, marking its first entry into the top 10.

At a regular press briefing in Beijing, spokeswoman Mao Ning said that innovation will remain a top priority in China's next five-year plan, and emphasized the country's commitment to an open approach that opposes technological barriers and works to narrow the global sci-tech divide.

"Over the past year, China has integrated science and technology deeply with industries, yielding a stream of innovation achievements. Looking ahead, innovation will be the main engine for China’s high-quality development. The recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) mention 'innovation' 61 times, placing sci-tech innovation at the heart of the national development agenda. While advancing its own progress, China is sharing its innovation outcomes with the world, ensuring that scientific and technological advances benefit all humanity. China's major research facilities, including the five-hundred-meter aperture spherical telescope (FAST) Tianyan, are open to global researchers. Our deep-sea and deep-space exploration programs are pursued through international cooperation. And livelihood-focused technologies -- from hybrid rice and aquaculture to Juncao technology (a Chinese-invented technology using grass to grow mushrooms) -- are helping developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty," said Mao.

"We have also released the Global AI Governance Initiative, which calls for an open, fair and non-discriminatory international environment for innovation. China will stay true to the principle of open cooperation, oppose technology barriers, bridge the science and technology gap, promote inclusive sharing of innovation achievements, and support global development and prosperity," she added.

China to expand global access to innovation achievements: spokeswoman

China to expand global access to innovation achievements: spokeswoman

The death toll from a crane collapse that derailed a passenger train in northeastern Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province has risen to 32, with the number of injured now standing at 67, authorities said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday morning when the construction crane used for a high-speed rail bridge collapsed onto the train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Speaking at a press briefing, Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum said the State Railway of Thailand expects to take approximately seven days to clear the wreckage and restore the track to normal operation while a full investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn earlier told reporters that he has instructed agencies to conduct a transparent, comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and prevent recurrence.

According to Thai media reports, the main contractor for the involved railway section is Italian-Thai Development PLC, which has issued a statement on the accident, saying that the company will fully assume responsibilities related to compensation and medical treatment.

Songrit Yoonsoongnern, a rescuer, said that rescue teams are waiting for some parts of the wrecked train to be moved before continuing operations.

"Right now, we are waiting for the cranes to secure the carriage and the crane above, and to remove some debris that is on the bodies. For safety reasons, we must wait until Italian-Thai Development’s cranes complete the operation and safety is 100-percent assured, before ordering rescue personnel to enter and recover the bodies," he said.

32 killed after crane collapse derails train in Thailand

32 killed after crane collapse derails train in Thailand

Recommended Articles