The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the country’s top science institute, has undergone an organisational overhaul, with more focus on strengthening frontier and basic research capabilities.
New bureaus have been set up for frontier sciences and basic research, sustainable development research, and basic science and technology capacity, according to the CAS website.
These replaced previous departments that had also been responsible for education, science promotion and dissemination.
China has stepped up its push for innovation and tech breakthroughs by fixing flaws in the scientific research system and focusing on original innovation in a bid to counter hi-tech containment by the US and power economic growth through technology and high value-added manufacturing.
The new three bureaus will focus on research in fields such as life science, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and interdisciplinary studies while leading and managing major scientific research programmes.
The frontier sciences and basic research bureau is in charge of planning and leading disciplines including mathematics, astronomy, life sciences, and fundamental interdisciplinary frontiers.
A robotic arm for surgery is displayed at the 2023 World Robot Conference in Beijing on August 16. China is under pressure to narrow the tech gap with advanced economies. Photo: AFP
As the country faces pressure to narrow the tech gap with advanced economies, Chinese leaders have called for efforts to seek breakthroughs in original innovation and push “disruptive innovation” with the potential to transform industry and human life.
But original innovation has consistently been the weakest link in Beijing’s push to become a tech superpower by the middle of the century and counter US tech restrictions.
Major cities and provinces have ramped up efforts to develop new sectors such as artificial intelligence and the drone-driven “low-altitude economy”.
During a key economic conference late last year, the central government also listed quantum and life sciences as emerging industries for future growth.
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