China to step up sci-tech supply for future industries: minister

China will continue to strengthen sci-tech supply for its future industries and drive breakthroughs in critical technologies, said Li Lecheng, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, at the ongoing China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday.

Addressing the forum, Li said that the development of future industries is not a "solo performance" by any single country but rather a "symphony" of global innovation cooperation. He noted that China is sharing technological innovation achievements with other countries around the world to jointly promote the growth of future industries for the benefit of all humanity, while multinational enterprises are increasingly integrating into this evolving landscape with a more proactive stance.

During the period of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national socioeconomic development, China aims to accelerate innovative development of future industries. The government plans to coordinate and advance in an orderly way the construction of pilot zones for future industries, guiding local regions to leverage their comparative advantages for differentiated development. A key focus will be placed on enhancing technological supply by cultivating leading science and technology enterprises with core competitive advantages and strong innovation capabilities, aiming to create a batch of new tracks with international influence.

"We will make systematic arrangements for original and pioneering research and development to tackle hard technological problems, with a focus on sectors including quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interface, embodied intelligence and 6G, in efforts to actively integrate into the global innovation network," Li said.

Themed "China in its 15th Five-Year Plan period: advancing high-quality development and creating new opportunities together", the two-day 2026 China Development Forum kicked off on Sunday in Beijing, bringing together global business leaders, renowned scholars and representatives from international organizations to explore shared opportunities arising from China's high-quality development.

Since its inception in 2000, the forum has established itself as a key high-level platform for dialogue between Chinese government officials, global business elites, international organizations and scholars.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a statement Saturday to firmly deny media reports that claimed the UAE has transferred funds to Iran, including allegations involving 3 billion U.S. dollars.

The statement said the allegations "are entirely false and unfounded," and reiterated the UAE has not unfrozen, transferred or assisted in transferring any Iranian funds.

On Friday, media outlets citing unnamed sources reported that the UAE had agreed to unfreeze at least 10 billion U.S. dollars in funds for Iran, with over 3 billion allegedly already in place.