China to enhance enterprises' role as core driver of innovation: minister

China is stepping up efforts to solidify the role of enterprises as a core driver of innovation, and enhance financial support for small and medium-sized scientific-technological enterprises, Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said in an interview aired on Sunday.

In the interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Yin outlined the ministry's roadmap for the opening year of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan for national socioeconomic development in the 2026-2030 period.

"We will strengthen the principal status of enterprises in technological innovation decision-making. We'll support state-owned and private enterprises in deeply engaging in national sci-tech innovation decision-making, with more attention given to enterprise opinions in the formulation of major strategies, major plans, and major policies. We will also strengthen the principal status of enterprises in organizing scientific-technological research. More efforts will be made to support enterprises in taking on or participating in more national major scientific research tasks, establish mechanisms for enterprise projects to be elevated to national projects, support leading sci-tech enterprises in building innovation consortia with various key players in innovation, such as universities, research institutes, and SMEs, and build sci-tech innovation platforms and bases to promote integrated innovation across the upstream and downstream industrial chain," Yin said.

In May 2025, the Ministry of Science and Technology, together with six other competent central government agencies, rolled out 15 concrete measures to promote financial services for sci-tech innovation, to improve the country's self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

In December last year, the national venture capital guidance fund was launched as part of efforts to mobilize more patient capital for innovative and future industries.

Looking ahead, the ministry plans to further refine a sci-tech finance system tailored to innovation needs, scale up financing support for small and medium-sized sci-tech firms, and streamline channels for converting scientific and technological research achievements into applicable know-hows, according to Yin.

"We will keep improving the implementation mechanisms for preferential tax policies on scientific and technological innovation, raise the additional tax deductions for enterprises' research and development expenses, and lead enterprises to increase their research and development investment. We will also strengthen enterprises' principal status in practical application of scientific-technological research achievements, enhance their capacity to absorb and apply scientific-technological research achievements, accelerate efficient application of major sci-tech research achievements, and promote incubation and cultivation of sci-tech SMEs. The Ministry of Science and Technology will work together with other competent authorities to keep strengthening coordination and implementation of policies, and providing sustained and strong policy support for enterprises' scientific-technological innovation," said the minister.

China to enhance enterprises' role as core driver of innovation: minister

An exciting wave of innovative winter tourism experiences is drawing visitors to the icy parts of China, as destinations transform ice and snow resources into immersive, experience-driven attractions that boost local consumption and development.

In Jiuru Mountain Scenic Area in Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, towering icefalls formed by the area's canyon terrain and sustained winter cold create a spectacular frozen landscape.

Covering around 30,000 square meters, dense icicles and ice curtains hang like crystal glass, offering visitors a prime viewing season.

This winter, the scenic area has creatively incorporated fire elements, installing more than 100 stoves and log cabins throughout the park, creating a unique scene with "a stove available every few steps and a wooden cabin every 100 meters."

"The experience is really amazing and far beyond my expectations," said a tourist named Tian Yujuan.

Beyond sightseeing, the tourist attraction has also introduced more than 20 creative handicraft studios where visitors can make sachets and chocolates, while its snow play park that features ice sleds and snow tubing has become especially popular with families.

Since the New Year's Day, both visitor numbers and operating revenues at the site have more than doubled year on year.

In Yinchuan City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, local attractions are also expanding winter offerings through a "snow and ice plus" model.

On the Yuehai Lake, tourists wearing specially designed red protective suits float calmly in icy water in an activity known as "ice floating". The suits feature heat-locking inner layers and high-buoyancy outer layers, ensuring warmth and safety, while on-site photography services use drones and cameras to capture the experience.

"On weekends, I am willing to come to nearby cities to experience this kind of effortless relaxation. I find it quite stress-relieving," said a tourist.

In Pingxiliang Village, a small mountain village in suburban Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, ice and snow tourism has become a catalyst for rural revitalization.

Once an extremely impoverished village, Pingxiliang has developed winter cultural tourism by leveraging local resources.

Nowadays, more than 80 percent of households in the village operate homestays, and 236 villagers work in tourism, with related income accounting for over 70 percent of the total revenue.

Meanwhile, at the Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, winter visitors are flocking to newly created blue ice waterfalls -- each about 10 meters high and covering a total area of 15,000 square meters.

Built by staff who erected supports and sprayed water starting in November, the frozen formations preserve the natural shape of cascading water, creating a striking man-made icefall.

Shared widely on social media, the blue ice waterfalls have become a new must-see destination for winter tourists to the Sayram Lake.

China's winter tourism blends ice landscapes with immersive experiences

China's winter tourism blends ice landscapes with immersive experiences