China fails to meet research spending goal but aims to double efforts in applied research, science minister says
- Country will put semiconductors – including integrated circuits, software and advanced chips – among its research and development priorities, Wang Zhigang says
- Government will present full version of its new five-year development plan at annual legislative session next week
China will double efforts in developing applied research in the next five years even though the country failed to meet its research spending target for its last five-year plan, according to its science minister.
Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said on Friday that China does not want a technology decoupling with the United States, especially in areas such as semiconductors and scientific research collaboration, but it will put semiconductors – including integrated circuits, software and advanced chips – among its research and development priorities.
“We still hope to forge international scientific and technology cooperation in semiconductors,” he said at a press conference in Beijing Friday.
“We will actively create a friendly environment for international companies to invest and develop in China … and we will strengthen intellectual property rights protection in our cooperation, strictly enforce protection for integrated circuits and software, and up the punishment for infringement of intellectual property rights.”
Ahead of China’s annual key parliamentary session next week where the government will present a full version of its new five-year development plan, the ministry on Friday elaborated how Beijing plans to become a world science and technology leader including promoting Hong Kong as a centre for innovation.
