Accelerating High-Level Scientific and Technological Self-Reliance and Self-Strengthening with Systematic Thinking

Chinese-path modernization must be supported by scientific and technological modernization. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, focusing on economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, emphasized the need to “accelerate high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, and lead the development of new quality productive forces.” [1] Currently, the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century, accelerating in intensity, and a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is deepening. Accelerating the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening is a complex systemic project involving multiple subjects, multiple links, and multiple levels. We must adhere to systematic thinking to coordinate the overall situation of scientific and technological innovation, strengthen forward-looking thinking, overall planning, and holistic advancement, grasp the general trend, face problems directly, and make precise efforts, continuously enhancing the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system, and forging a Chinese path from a large scientific and technological country to a powerful scientific and technological country.

中国式现代化要靠科技现代化作支撑。党的二十届四中全会围绕“十五五”时期经济社会发展，强调要“加快高水平科技自立自强，引领发展新质生产力”。当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，新一轮科技革命和产业变革深入发展。加快实现高水平科技自立自强，是一项涉及多主体、多环节、多层次的复杂系统工程。我们必须坚持以系统思维统筹科技创新全局，加强前瞻性思考、全局性谋划、整体性推进，把握大势、直面问题、精准发力，不断提升国家创新体系整体效能，走出一条从科技大国迈向科技强国的中国路径。

Promoting the Systematic Integration of the Innovation System

推动创新体系系统集成

Adhere to overall planning and build an efficient and collaborative national innovation system. Systematic thinking emphasizes holism, which is to coordinate various elements and links from an overall perspective to achieve the optimization of system functions. Scientific and technological innovation is a complex ecosystem composed of multiple subjects such as the government, enterprises, universities, research institutes, and financial institutions, which are interconnected and interact with each other. The overall effectiveness of the system depends not only on the strength of individual subjects but also on the network structure and collaborative efficiency among the subjects. Currently, China has a large scale of scientific and technological resources and has built a relatively complete system of research facilities, but there are also problems such as poor connection of innovation chains, scattered resources, and redundant construction, which constrain the exertion of overall effectiveness. It is necessary to break down organizational barriers and disciplinary boundaries, promote the deep integration of the “four chains” of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, and talent chain, and build a unified, efficient, open, collaborative, and benignly interactive national innovation system. We must optimize the layout of national strategic scientific and technological forces, clarify the functional positioning of national laboratories, high-level research universities, and leading scientific and technological enterprises, form a systematic pattern with echelon connection and complementary advantages, promote deep integration and benign interaction among various innovation subsystems, and achieve the systemic gain effect of “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.”

坚持整体性谋划，构建高效协同的国家创新体系。系统思维强调整体性，是从全局高度统筹各要素、各环节，实现系统功能的最优化。科技创新是政府、企业、高校、科研院所、金融机构等多元主体相互关联、相互作用构成的复杂生态系统。系统的整体效能不仅取决于单个主体的强弱，更取决于各主体间的网络结构与协同效率。当前，我国科技资源规模庞大，已建成较为完备的科研设施体系，但也存在创新链条衔接不畅、资源分散、重复建设等问题，制约了整体效能的发挥。必须打破组织壁垒和学科界限，推动创新链、产业链、资金链、人才链“四链”深度融合，构建统一高效、开放协同、良性互动的国家创新体系。要优化国家战略科技力量布局，明确国家实验室、高水平研究型大学和科技领军企业等功能定位，形成梯次衔接、优势互补的体系化格局，促进各创新子系统之间的深度融合与良性互动，实现“整体大于部分之和”的系统增益效应。

Strengthen dynamic evolution and realize the “energy-level leap” of innovation capability. Systems are dynamically developing, and technological competition is essentially a competition of dynamic capabilities. Sustained competitive advantage comes from the ability to integrate internal and external resources to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. China has achieved parallel running or even leading in some frontier fields, but there are still certain shortcomings in basic research and original innovation capabilities. To this end, it is necessary to strengthen the source supply of basic research, improve the long-term stable support mechanism, smooth the channels for transforming scientific and technological achievements, and establish and improve an evaluation system centered on actual contributions and innovation value. Through the continuous interaction and reconstruction of various elements within the system, stimulate the “emergence effect” of the innovation system, generate new system characteristics and functions, and realize the “energy-level leap” of innovation capability.

强化动态性演进，实现创新能力的“能级跃迁”。系统是动态发展的，科技竞争本质上是动态能力的竞争。持续的竞争优势来源于整合内外部资源以适应快速变化环境的能力。我国在部分前沿领域已实现并跑甚至领跑，但在基础研究、原始创新能力方面仍存在一定的短板。为此，必须强化基础研究的源头供给，完善长期稳定支持机制，畅通科技成果转化通道，建立健全以实际贡献和创新价值为核心的评价体系。通过系统内部各要素的持续互动与重构，激发创新体系的“涌现效应”，产生新的系统特性和功能，实现创新能力的“能级跃迁”。

Build an open architecture, forming an innovation pattern with a stable core and an open periphery. Systems are open and continuously exchange matter, energy, and information with the external environment. In the era of economic globalization, it is neither realistic nor feasible to engage in innovation behind closed doors. It is necessary to correctly handle the dialectical relationship between independent innovation and open cooperation, and build a collaborative innovation pattern with a stable core and an open periphery. For general competitive technologies and industrial generic technologies, we should adhere to open innovation, actively integrate into the global innovation network, and leverage international knowledge spillovers to enhance innovation efficiency. By reasonably opening and sharing large scientific facilities and building joint laboratories, we can attract top global talent and resources, and enhance China’s voice in international science and technology governance. In key core technology fields related to national security and the overall development situation, we must adhere to a self-reliant, independent innovation approach, leverage the advantages of the new nationwide system to concentrate forces for systematic breakthroughs. [2]

构建开放性架构，形成内核稳固、外圈开放的创新格局。系统是开放的，与外部环境不断进行物质、能量和信息的交换。在经济全球化时代，关起门来搞创新既不现实，也不可行。必须正确处理自主创新与开放合作的辩证关系，构建内核稳固、外圈开放的协同创新格局。对于一般竞争性技术和产业共性技术，应坚持开放式创新，主动融入全球创新网络，借助国际知识溢出提升创新效率。通过合理开放共享大科学装置、建设联合实验室等方式，吸引全球顶尖人才与资源，提升我国在国际科技治理中的话语权。在关系国家安全与发展全局的关键核心技术领域，则必须坚持以我为主、自主创新，发挥新型举国体制优势，集中力量进行体系化攻关。

Promoting the Organic Integration of the Innovation Ecosystem

促进创新生态有机融合

Promote the transformation of the governance model to “agile governance.” Current scientific and technological development is characterized by high uncertainty and rapid iteration, and traditional, linear, plan-oriented scientific research management models are no longer suitable. This requires us to promote the transformation of scientific research organization models and science and technology governance methods towards “agile governance.” Agile governance emphasizes adaptability, responsiveness, and participation, requiring the establishment of scientific research organization methods that can quickly respond to technological changes and market demands; promoting the shift of scientific research evaluation from a single “paper orientation” to a diversified “value orientation,” paying more attention to actual contributions and innovation value; innovating the way resources are allocated, guiding more social capital towards basic research and frontier fields. It is necessary to establish and improve mechanisms for innovation trial and error, fault tolerance, and correction, to “support and encourage” those who dare to explore, and to build a modern science and technology governance system that can stimulate internal vitality and effectively respond to uncertainty.

推动治理模式向“敏捷治理”转型。当前科技发展呈现出高度不确定性和快速迭代的特征，传统的、线性的、计划导向的科研管理模式已难以适应。这要求我们必须推动科研组织模式和科技治理方式向“敏捷治理”转型。敏捷治理强调适应性、响应性和参与性，要求建立能够快速响应技术变革和市场需求的科研组织方式；推动科研评价从单一的“论文导向”向多元的“价值导向”转变，更加注重实际贡献和创新价值；创新资源配置方式，引导社会资本更多投向基础研究和前沿领域。要建立健全创新试错容错纠错机制，为敢于探索者“撑腰鼓劲”，构建起能够激发内在活力、有效应对不确定性的现代化科技治理体系。

Realize “coordinated operations” among innovation subjects. Strengthen the principal position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, promote the concentration of innovation factors in enterprises, and support leading enterprises to take the lead in forming innovation consortia and undertaking major national scientific and technological tasks. Deepen the reform of universities and research institutes, grant greater autonomy to research institutions and personnel, and establish a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented by innovation value, capability, and contribution. Remove institutional and mechanism barriers that restrict the free flow of innovation factors such as knowledge, technology, and talent, promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application, and form a benignly interactive innovation ecosystem of “government, industry, academia, research, finance, application, and intermediaries.” [3] Fully leverage the organizational platform advantages and driving effects of leading scientific and technological enterprises, promote private enterprises to play an important role in breakthroughs in major technology fields, and form a national scientific and technological force coordination mechanism with primary and secondary roles and functional connections.

实现创新主体“协同作战”。强化企业科技创新主体地位，促进创新要素向企业集聚，支持领军企业牵头组建创新联合体，承担国家重大科技任务。深化高校和科研院所改革，赋予科研机构和人员更大自主权，建立以创新价值、能力、贡献为导向的科技人才评价体系。破除制约知识、技术、人才等创新要素自由流动的体制机制障碍，推动产学研用深度融合，形成“政产学研金服用”良性互动的创新生态。充分发挥科技领军企业的组织平台优势和带动效应，推动民营企业在重大技术领域突破中发挥重要作用，形成有主有次、功能衔接的国家科技力量协同机制。

Promote the “systematic integration” of innovation policies. Since the New Era, China’s scientific and technological innovation policies have focused on the allocation of factors such as talent, capital, and projects, and a series of policy adjustments have been made, achieving phased results. As reforms enter the deep-water zone, the deep-seated contradictions constraining scientific and technological innovation are increasingly apparent. Facing the new stage and new requirements, the development of scientific and technological innovation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period needs to shift from relying on the primary drive of “single-point breakthroughs” to relying on the advanced empowerment of “policy integration” innovation. It is necessary to optimize the policy system with systematic thinking, build a governance system with aligned goals, coordinated measures, and multiplied effectiveness; proactively plan the “integrated upgrade plan” for policy supply, overcome the fragmentation of departmental games with the holism of top-level design, eliminate the loss of hierarchical transmission with the systematic nature of collaborative efficiency, and effectively activate the institutional effectiveness of innovation development.

推动创新政策“系统集成”。新时代以来，我国科技创新政策聚焦人才、资金、项目等要素配置，进行了一系列政策调整，取得了阶段性成效。随着改革步入深水区，制约科技创新的深层次矛盾日益显现。面对新阶段新要求，“十五五”时期科技创新发展需要从依赖“单点突破”的初级驱动，转向依靠“政策集成”创新的高级赋能。要以系统思维对政策体系进行优化，构建目标同向、措施协同、效能倍增的治理体系；主动谋划政策供给的“集成升级方案”，以顶层设计的整体性破解部门博弈的分散性，以协同高效的系统性消解层级传导的损耗性，有效激活创新发展的制度效能。

Achieving Continuous Improvement in Innovation Effectiveness

实现创新效能持续提升

Strengthen basic research and consolidate the foundation of scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening. Basic research is the source of the entire scientific system and the general organ of all technical problems. To achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, it is necessary to strengthen the source supply of basic research, improve the long-term stable support mechanism, and guide social capital to invest in basic research and frontier fields. We must aim at the frontiers of world science and technology, strengthen support for basic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and lay out a number of basic discipline research centers. Encourage basic research oriented towards major national strategic needs and the needs of industrial innovation and development, and open up the innovation chain from basic research to technology development to industrial application. Through sustained and stable investment and a scientific and effective evaluation mechanism, stimulate the innovation vitality of researchers, and produce a number of original achievements with world influence.

强化基础研究，夯实科技自立自强的根基。基础研究是整个科学体系的源头，是所有技术问题的总机关。要实现高水平科技自立自强，必须强化基础研究的源头供给，完善长期稳定支持机制，引导社会资本投入基础研究和前沿领域。要瞄准世界科技前沿，加强对数学、物理、化学等基础学科的扶持力度，布局一批基础学科研究中心。鼓励面向国家重大战略需求和产业创新发展需要开展基础研究，打通从基础研究到技术开发再到产业应用的创新链条。通过持续稳定的投入和科学有效的评价机制，激发科研人员的创新活力，产出一批具有世界影响力的原创性成果。

Break through key core technologies and seize the initiative in innovation development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that “key core technologies cannot

突破关键核心技术，掌握创新发展主动权。习近平总书记多次强调，“关键核心技术是要不来、买不来、讨不来的”。要发挥新型举国体制优势，围绕国家重大战略需求，布局一批具有前瞻性、战略性的重大科技项目和工程，在人工智能、量子信息、生命健康、能源材料等前沿方向实现重点突破，开辟人形机器人、脑机接口、量子科技等未来产业新赛道。要建立关键核心技术动态清单制，组织优势力量进行体系化攻关。完善关键核心技术攻关的“揭榜挂帅”制度，不论资历、不设门槛，让有能力的创新主体脱颖而出。通过关键核心技术的突破，带动产业链供应链优化升级，推动科技创新与产业创新深度融合，提升国家产业安全保障能力。

Foster an innovation culture, stimulate the creativity and vitality of the whole society for innovation. Vigorously promote the spirit of scientists and the spirit of craftsmanship, strengthen the construction of research integrity and scientific and technological ethics. Improve the intellectual property protection system that encourages innovation and the incentive mechanism for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. Strengthen the popularization of science and technology, enhance the scientific literacy of the entire population, and promote the formation of a strong atmosphere in the whole society that respects knowledge, advocates innovation, values talent, loves science, and devotes oneself to science, providing sustained cultural environmental support for the operation of the innovation system.

营造创新文化，激发全社会创新创造活力。大力弘扬科学家精神和工匠精神，加强科研诚信和科技伦理建设。完善鼓励创新的知识产权保护制度和科技成果转化激励机制。加强科学技术普及，提升全民科学素养，在全社会推动形成尊重知识、崇尚创新、尊重人才、热爱科学、献身科学的浓厚氛围，为创新系统运行提供持久的文化环境支撑。

(Author: Jiang Cheng, is a specially appointed researcher of the Beijing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center and Vice President of the Institute for the Development of Megacity Economy and Society at Capital University of Economics and Business)

（作者：江 成，系北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员、首都经济贸易大学特大城市经济社会发展研究院副院长）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧