Looking back at China's technological achievements in 2025, "astonishing the world" stands out as a defining theme. China broke into the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index for the first time, while the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster claimed the top spot globally. In November, six Chinese cities ranked among the world's top 10 in the "2024 Nature Index - Research Cities" ranking. DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng and geologist Du Mengran from the Chinese Academy of Sciences were listed in Nature's "Ten People Who Mattered in Science."
As emphasized at the recent Central Economic Work Conference, China has prioritized innovation-driven development to accelerate new growth drivers. This year witnessed vibrant technological breakthroughs, rapid formation of new productive forces, and thriving high-tech manufacturing and digital economies—all powering high-quality economic growth.
**Breakthroughs in Original Innovation and Core Technologies** Deep underground in Jiangmen, Guangdong, a 35-meter-wide "glass sphere" silently captures cosmic neutrinos. On November 19, the China-led JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory) project released its first results, achieving measurement precision 1.5–1.8 times higher than previous international benchmarks. "This facility will yield major discoveries and nurture future physicists for decades," said Wang Yifang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Global attention turned eastward as China delivered landmark innovations: - The Institute of Physics developed the world’s first large-scale 2D metal material, named a 2025 Top 10 Breakthrough by Physics World. - The University of Science and Technology of China built "Zuchongzhi-3," hailed as the most advanced superconducting quantum computer. - Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center pioneered a nasal cancer immunotherapy strategy and led global treatment guidelines, marking China’s shift from "follower" to "leader" in clinical research.
Supporting data: China accounted for 53.2% of global hot papers (2,342) and ranked second in highly cited papers (76,271). Its research led nine fields, including materials science and engineering, in citation impact.
**Integration of Tech and Industrial Innovation** 2025 was the year embodied AI robots went mainstream. At the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China’s "Ultra Embodied TianGong" set a 21.50-second 100-meter record, earning European media praise for China’s "cutting-edge prowess." From CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala to national sports events, robots like Unitree H1 and "Lu Xiaoming" showcased seamless tech-industry synergy.
Other milestones: - The first 6G multi-station RIS network test in Beijing advanced seamless connectivity. - The AES100 turboshaft engine earned civil aviation certification, demonstrating China’s independent R&D capability. - The CR450 high-speed train hit 453 km/h (896 km/h in passing tests), cementing its "world’s fastest" status.
Industrial data: High-tech manufacturing grew 9.6% YoY in Q1–Q3 2025, with IC production up 22.4% and robotics output surging 29.8%. China’s valid invention patents exceeded 5.01 million, averaging 15.3 high-value patents per 10,000 people.
**Regional Advances in New Productive Forces** Hangzhou’s DeepSeek became a global sensation, topping app charts and rivaling AI giants. The New York Times noted Silicon Valley’s keen interest in this open-source LLM.
Regional highlights: - Anhui led national auto and NEV production through integrated supply chains. - Guangdong’s low-altitude economy expanded with infrastructure in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. - Tianjin’s digital transformation boosted core digital industries by 12.8% in H1 2025.
"Little巨人" (specialized SMEs) drove growth, with Q1–Q3 revenue up 8.2% (11.8% for high-tech manufacturers).
"Developing new productive forces is key to high-quality growth," said Zhang Bin of CASS. As China steps into its 15th Five-Year Plan, the engine of innovation roars louder, propelling the nation forward.