Chinese researchers pledge greater contributions to China's sci-tech advances

From doctors to engineers, Chinese researchers are pledging to build the country into a leader in science and technology, after Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Wednesday for accelerated efforts to achieve high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and leverage sci-tech innovation to underpin and drive Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the statement at a meeting in Beijing that brought together the national science and technology award conference, the general assemblies of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the 11th national congress of the China Association for Science and Technology.

He said the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) is a critical phase for tackling tough challenges in building up the country's strength in science and technology.

"We must seize the historic opportunity, rise to the challenges of the times, accelerate efforts to achieve high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and make steady progress toward the 2035 goal of becoming a leading country in science and technology," he said.

At the meeting, Xi presented China's top sci-tech award for the year 2025 to two scientists.

Xi and other Party and state leaders, together with the two top-award winners, presented other awards, including the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

After the meeting, award recipients said they were inspired by Xi's speech, and will continue to dedicate themselves to advancing development in their professions.

"Over the past 10 years, we have grown from learning from international experience and benchmarking against international standards to leading clinical research, developing original diagnostic and treatment technologies, formulating international clinical guidelines, and promoting Chinese medical solutions globally. This is a testament to our innovative strength," said Wang Jianliu, vice-dean of Peking University People's Hospital, and one of the recipients of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

"We have always adhered to the principle of enterprise-led development, coordinating collaborative efforts across the entire industrial chain. Through innovative collaboration mechanisms between industries, universities, research institutes, and end-users, the enterprise-led and demand-driven deep integration has enabled a number of core manufacturing units in the industrial chain to achieve independent design, manufacturing, and operation and maintenance capabilities. We will keep in mind the general secretary's instructions, ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of crucial national projects, to make significant contributions to promoting high-quality development and securing strong progress toward a green transition in all areas," said Wang Zhilin, chief expert on the science and technology committee for major hydropower projects at China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), and one of the recipients of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

"We are fortunate to live in a period when this country places great emphasis on scientific and technological development. What impressed me most was the general secretary's emphasis on the development of young scientific and technological talents, who are a crucial reserve force for future development. With the support of the research environment, including ecological construction and the strength of the country's emphasis on scientific research, we are very confident that future generations will have even more outstanding talents willing to engage in scientific research," said Jiang Peng, chief engineer of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), and one of the recipients of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

Chinese researchers pledge greater contributions to China's sci-tech advances

A Chinese envoy said on Monday that the international community must make every effort to promote a ceasefire in Sudan.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the international community should persistently pursue peace talks, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and stand together to maintain regional stability.

"As the conflict in Sudan drags on, it has not only caused heavy casualties and displacement of ordinary people, but also severely undermined development of the country and impacted the stability of neighboring countries. This tragedy should not continue. The Sudanese people's desire for peace is growing, and the responsibility of the UN Security Council and the international community is becoming even greater. China has consistently stressed that sanctions are a means, not an end, and should not become a substitute for diplomatic efforts. The UN Security Council should use this special tool prudently, fully respect Sudan's sovereignty, take into account the legitimate concerns of the country concerned, and ensure that sanctions are objective, just and effective," said Sun.

China welcomes the Sudanese government's initiation of an inclusive political dialogue and supports the United Nations in playing its central mediation role, Sun said.

The international community should effectively safeguard Sudan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, adhere to the principle of Sudan's ownership, and avoid imposing external solutions, he added.

Since erupting on April 15, 2023, the war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and ruined the economy.

Politically, Sudan is deeply divided, with an internationally recognized government aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and a parallel administration declared by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in alliance with political and armed groups.

Analysts warn that this fragmentation of authority is prolonging the conflict and raising fears of further instability.

China calls for all-out efforts to promote ceasefire in Sudan