High-tech drives nation's innovation capabilities

Cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, are forming new drivers of economic growth in China, a senior official said on Thursday.

Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun told a news conference held by the State Council Information Office that the country has developed multiple world-class general-purpose artificial intelligence models, some with accuracy rates exceeding 95 percent.

Over 100 exemplary application scenarios for artificial intelligence were created, Yin said.

Breakthroughs in humanoid robotics technology have accelerated their use in industries such as automotive manufacturing, logistics, and power inspection.

"It lays a foundation for a future trillion-renminbi industry," Yin said.

Brain-machine interface technology has enabled paraplegic patients to stand and walk and helped blind individuals regain light perception. The brain pacemaker made in China is now fully commercialized, with implants conducted in 400 hospitals across eight countries. The pacemaker improves motor functions for about 30,000 patients with Parkinson's disease, he said.

"This has become a new driver for high-quality development in healthcare," Yin said.

"China will promote the combination of technological and industrial innovations to drive high-quality growth," he added.

Artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and big data technologies are empowering the transition from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing, Yin said.

For example, the development of a large-scale open-pit mine robotic transport and loading system provides a Chinese solution for global mining industry intelligent upgrades.

The innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises have significantly improved, according to Yin.

In 2024, the number of high-tech enterprises surpassed 500,000, an 83 percent increase from recorded figures in 2020.

China has achieved significant original breakthroughs in quantum technology, life sciences, material sciences, and space sciences over the past five years, Yin said.

The country's comprehensive innovation capability ranking rose from 14th place in 2020 to 10th place in 2024, he said.

For five consecutive years, China has led the world in the number of high-level international journal publications and international patent applications, he added.

Last year, China's R&D investment across society exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan ($506 billion), marking a 48 percent increase compared to 2020. The investment intensity reached 2.68 percent, surpassing the average level of European Union countries. The number of people engaged in R&D ranked first in the world, he said.