China to empower innovation, target social needs in 2026 sci-tech push: minister

China

China to empower innovation, target social needs in 2026 sci-tech push: minister

2026-01-18 01:07 Last Updated At：09:07

In 2026, China's science and technology efforts will target urgent social needs and empower innovation entities to drive the development of new quality productive forces, according to Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun.

The Central Economic Work Conference held in December 2025 identified innovation-driven development and the cultivation of new growth drivers as key priorities for China's economic agenda in 2026.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Yin said that the Ministry of Science and Technology will focus on the strategic goal of building a strong nation in science and technology, adhere to innovation-driven development, strengthen strategic planning, enhance central-local coordination and inter-departmental collaboration, and improve the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system.

"We will focus on the urgent needs of economic and social development, deploy and implement major national sci-tech projects, and strengthen original innovation and breakthroughs in key core technologies. We will reinforce the leading role of enterprises in sci-tech innovation, support the cultivation of leading sci-tech enterprises, accelerate the efficient transformation and application of major sci-tech achievements, promote sci-tech innovation in financial services, and promote the mutual integration and coordinated development of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation to support the construction of a modern industrial system," said the minister.

The Global Innovation Index 2025 report, released in September 2025, shows that China has 24 innovation clusters among the world's top 100, ranking first globally. The Central Economic Work Conference proposed the development of international sci-tech innovation centers in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"Leveraging the leading role of Beijing and Shanghai, we will drive coordinated development and complementary advantages among the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta, strengthening resource sharing, joint talent cultivation, and joint platform construction. Simultaneously, we will promote the alignment of rules and mechanisms among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, deepen cooperation in sci-tech innovation within the Greater Bay Area, and build a global hub for sci-tech innovation," he said.

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) proposal called on relevant departments to promote talent cultivation in the education and sci-tech sectors and to accelerate the development of a national strategic talent pool.

"We will leverage national-level major sci-tech missions and innovation platforms to accelerate the gathering and cultivation of top-tier leading sci-tech talents. Focusing on sci-tech innovation, industrial development, and national strategic needs, we will make extraordinary arrangements for urgently needed disciplines and specialties, deepen the integration of science and education, as well as industry and education, and emphasize the discovery and cultivation of young sci-tech talents. We will deepen reforms in project review, institutional evaluation, talent assessment, and income distribution, facilitate talent exchange channels between universities, research institutes, and enterprises, and fully stimulate the innovation and creativity of the vast number of personnel in the sci-tech sector," Yin said.

South Africans rally in solidarity with Venezuela against U.S. aggression

Demonstrators from civil groups, labor unions and other communities in South Africa rallied outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg on Friday, denouncing U.S. unilateral military actions against Venezuela and voicing solidarity with the Latin American nation.

They gathered along the street in front of the consulate, carrying banners that read "Hands Off Venezuela" and "Stop Imperialism," chanting slogans against U.S. hegemony and aggression.

"We are here to protest the U.S. threats to global peace, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro Moros of Venezuela, which was done in violation of international law, in violation of territorial integrity of Venezuela, of course, in violation of national sovereignty of Venezuela," said Solly Afrika Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party.

In the early hours of Jan. 3, the United States carried out a military strike against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, taking them to the United States.

Some protesters said the crisis in Venezuela shows how geopolitical struggles have direct and immediate effects on ordinary people's lives.

"Venezuela belongs to the people of Venezuela and nobody else. For American belligerent and colonial aggression, quite frankly, is not just something very distant. Never before have questions of geopolitics been of immediate and direct relevance and direct and immediate impacts on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people, as you are seeing today," said Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA).

Placards at the rally blended English and Spanish slogans, while some demonstrators sang liberation songs from South Africa's anti-apartheid era to express solidarity. Passing motorists slowed in front of the consulate, honking in support.

Defying the summer heat, the crowd remained spirited and resolute, their chants echoing along the street in a clear call for an end to foreign interference and respect for Venezuela's sovereignty.