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China actively integrates into global biopharmaceutical innovation system

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By Gao Qiao

In recent years, China’s groundbreaking advancements in biomedicine have garnered significant global attention.

Experts highlight China’s robust innovation prowess in biotechnology, which is enticing greater investment from multinational biopharmaceutical firms. Simultaneously, the expansive international pharmaceutical market is propelling Chinese biopharmaceutical companies towards global expansion. China is actively immersing itself in the global biopharmaceutical innovation system.

According to a 2024 report on the development of life sciences and biotechnology in China released by the China National Center for Biotechnology Development, China published 222,964 life science papers in 2023, with a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 11.38 percent, significantly higher than the international average.

In the same year, the number of patent applications in life sciences and biotechnology in China surged by 30.59 percent compared to the previous year, with an 11.39 percent increase in granted patents. China’s share of global patent applications and granted patents stood at 39.38 percent and 41.33 percent, respectively.

Data from the China’s National Medical Products Administration indicated that in 2023, China green-lighted 36 domestically developed innovative drugs for market entry, alongside 6,151 Class III medical devices, 2,079 of which were first-time registrations..

The significant growth across various metrics indicates that China’s innovation capabilities, market size, and international competitiveness in biotechnology have been rapidly advancing in recent years.

A recent 20-month investigation by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a Washington-based think tank, examined the innovation performance of 44 Chinese companies in key technology sectors like nuclear power, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles.

The findings revealed that in the biopharmaceutical sector, although China still trails behind the U.S. and other Western leaders, it is making swift progress in catching up. Notably, from 2002 to 2019, China’s share of added value in the global biopharmaceutical industry has experienced a significant increase.

A recent article in the Saudi Arabian newspaper Makkah highlighted China’s biotechnology industry as a prime example of transforming challenges into growth opportunities. With a focus on international cooperation, regulatory reforms, and innovation, China is poised to emerge as a key player in the global healthcare sector in the future. Despite encountering obstacles, the biotechnology sector in China has shown remarkable resilience and creativity, positioning it as one of the most promising industries for development in the years ahead.

Life sciences are at the forefront of modern research, and the biotechnology industry is a typical technology-intensive sector. Experts attributed China’s rapid progress in biotechnology innovation to the country’s solid support for human resource, technological reserves, and capital investment.

According to the Makkah article, in recent years, Chinese biotechnology startups have signed over 20 significant agreements with Western companies. These agreements not only involve financial investments but also demonstrate the increasing global recognition of the capabilities of Chinese biotechnology startups in drug research and development.

These collaborations span a wide range of areas, including the development of innovative drugs and advanced therapies such as immunotherapy and protein technology innovation. For China, this progress signifies a turning point, as local startups are increasingly becoming trusted partners for global enterprises.

Gao Fu, chairman of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, said the rapid development of biotechnology in China is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Chinese government, research institutions, and businesses.

The government has played a crucial role by formulating policies that specifically target the strengthening and expansion of strategic emerging industries like biotechnology, as well as by improving research mechanisms in the field.

Additionally, a number of research institutions and companies have aligned their research objectives with societal demands, focusing on addressing practical issues. By leveraging technological advancements such as gene editing, genetic recombination, and mRNA technologies, they are propelling the industrial application of biotechnology.

In recent years, China has made significant adjustments to its policies in the field of biology, actively promoting industrial development.

On one hand, the country has bolstered its intellectual property protection system to create a robust “protective barrier” for innovative accomplishments. This enables research institutions to commercialize their intellectual property rights, derive profits from innovative breakthroughs, and further support scientific research.

On the other hand, China has become a member of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, progressively integrating into the global pharmaceutical regulatory framework. This move is aimed at elevating domestic drug regulatory standards and enhancing the credibility of Chinese medical data within the international pharmaceutical sector.

Besides, Chinese technology-driven enterprises are utilizing various methods to expand internationally, and multinational pharmaceutical companies are intensifying their localization strategies through partnerships with Chinese domestic enterprises and institutions. China is steadily progressing in its integration into the global biotechnology innovation trend.

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China’s new chapter in global innovation

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By Gu Yekai, Liu Yiqing, People’s Daily

At a smart construction project site managed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a quiet technological revolution is underway. Amid cranes and concrete, engineers are deploying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could fundamentally reshape the construction industry.

Li Fengjian, an AI specialistwith Xianyuan Technology, detailed how the company’s latest intelligent system – built on a large model – adapts to complex construction environments.”Engineering machinery equipped with intelligent agents can adjust its operations automatically in response to weather conditions,” Li explained, adding that a spatiotemporal sensing network further enhances the system, providing real-time tracking of both personnel and materials throughout the construction site.

In February this year, Xianyuan Technology rapidly integrated its self-developed model with DeepSeek-R1, effectively blending a general-purpose framework with industry-specific models. This integration, Li noted, has produced a solution capable of delivering expert-level performance in challenging, dynamic environments. The firm is based in the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, aburgeoning AI incubator that now hosts over 200 innovative enterprises.

China’s technological transformation extends well beyond the construction sector. Overthe past three decades, the country has evolved from its initial forays into internet connectivity to becoming a key player in global digital innovation.

Here, a steady stream of technological innovations are emerging, from the early days of emails and web browsing to the cutting-edge technologies represented by DeepSeek and the dynamic evolution of social media.

Wu Jianping, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and headof the Zhongguancun Laboratory, pointed out that while China had introduced only one internet standard before 2005, it now contributes to over 200 worldwide. Such strides illustrate the country’s concerted push toward high-level technological self-reliance – a journey marked by both persistence and determination.

Beyond the digital realm, China is makingsignificant inroads in aerospace, new energy, and other high-tech sectors. It has transitioned from being a follower to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders, and in some areas, even taking the lead. Wu attributed these achievements to a dynamic ecosystem of policy reforms and talent cultivation that encourages creativity and technical expertise at every level.

Amid intensifying international competition, collaborative research and the integration of new technologies with traditional industries are central to China’s high-quality economic development.

Mei Linhai, a researcher at China’s State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Intelligence, remarked that the age of AI calls for continuous exploration. “In this era, everyone is an innovator. Only by persistently pushing the boundaries can we remain at the forefront of both technological and industrial development,” Mei observed.

In the field of general-purpose AI, Mei emphasized that independent innovation is paramount. He advocates for a self-driven industrial ecosystem that leveragesbreakthrough technologies to boost productivity and unlock new possibilities, Mei said.

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Chinese democracy in action:a village bench meeting shapes national law

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By Wei Zhezhe, Liu Botong, People’s Daily

In a modest corner of Jiangmen, south China’s Guangdong province, residents of Weidong village are experiencing firsthand a form of democracy that starts at the grassroots level and reverberates all the way to Beijing.

Wu Tengxin, a local villager who relies on a scooter for daily mobility after contracting polio, recalls a time when the village’s public spaces were ill-equipped for people with disabilities. Now, thanks to a simple suggestion made during a meeting, his everyday life has changed.

In November 2022, a team from a local legislative outreach office – a branch of China’sNational People’s Congress (NPC) – visited Weidong village and set up a “bench-style meeting.” Residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities, gathered to voice their concerns about inadequate accessibility.

Amid the conversation, Wu offered a straightforward proposal: “I hope rural accessible facilities can be improved to make mobility easier for people with disabilities and the elderly.” His words were relayed verbatim to lawmakers.

The response was swift. On June 28, 2023, at the third session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, legislators passed a law on building a barrier-free living environment. The law stipulates that improvements”shall align with social and economic development levels, coordinate urban and rural progress, and gradually narrow the gap in infrastructure between urban and rural areas.”

Today, Wu observes that the village’s main roads and public squares have been upgraded with accessibility features that make getting around considerably easier.

This episode illustrates what Chinese officials call “whole-process people’s democracy” – a system where citizen input is woven into every stage of policy development.

Jilie Ziri, head of Abuluoha village in Butuo county, southwest China’s Sichuan province, remarked that for young generations in China, democracy has become a lived experience. “Villagers are the masters of village affairs,” he said, emphasizing how active villager participation has injected new vitality into local governance.

Experts point to consultative democracy as a cornerstone of this process. Tao Kaiyuan, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, underscores the important role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, whose members hail from every stratum of society and bring a wealth of expertise and connections.

Their regular forums, field research, and public consultations have created robust channels for citizens to contribute ideas and forge consensus.”This approach gathers collective wisdom and transforms public voices into policy,” Tao said.

Another crucial manifestation is the effectiveness of China’s political party system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese democratic parties actively fulfill their duties, offering recommendations that often translate into concrete policy decisions. This integrated approach demonstrates the unique strengths of China’s political system and the advantages of whole-process people’s democracy.

Tao emphasized that whole-process people’s democracyhas evolved into an efficient and dynamic democratic practice – one that not only reflects the essence of socialist democracy but also presents a pioneering model of political civilization, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global governance and democratic development.

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Chinese modernization: blueprint for global progress

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By He Yin, People’s Daily

At China’s recent annual “two sessions,” Chinese modernization once again captured global attention. International observers are closely following a range of new measures designed not only to accelerate Chinese domestic transformation but also to unlock fresh opportunities for global development.

They believe that Chinese modernization, built on a foundation of openness and cooperation, will continue to yield global benefits with each new milestone.

Today, China stands as a formidable force in the global economy – accounting for around 18 percent of the global economy and nearly 30 percent of world manufacturing output. Year after year, the nation has contributed about 30 percent to global economic growth. With import and export records with almost all countries and regions designated in the United Nations Statistics Division, the country is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. In 2024, its exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth.

Often hailed as the “world’s largest developing country,”the “second-largest economy,””world’s factory,””global market,” and “innovation powerhouse,” China is increasingly viewed as a beacon of stability and progress.

In recent years, high-profile events such as the seventh China International Import Expo – where intended deals exceeded $80 billion – and the establishment of over 1.239 million foreign-invested enterprises have reinforced the nation’s reputation as a vast, dynamic market.

Meanwhile, policies encouraging Chinese companies to “go global” have seen a steady stream of new technologies, goods, and services permeate international markets, knitting the country ever tighter into global value chains and bolstering its commitment to win-win cooperation.

The influence of Chinese modernization is evident far beyond its borders. In the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera has repeatedly screened China’s political documentary Carry the Reform Through to the End for cabinet discussions, while officialsin Uzbekistan are adapting China’s poverty-reduction experience to suit their national context. These moves challenge the assumption that modernization must follow Western models, suggesting that China’s alternative pathway offers a viable route to development.

Beyond economic growth, Chinese modernization is increasingly celebrated for its potential to foster win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for example, Kazakhstan secured its first maritime access and Laos launched its first modern railway. Support from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has propelled over 160 projects, benefiting more than 30 million people. Moreover, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, signaling its commitment to an open and inclusive global economy.

China’s modernization agenda also tackles global challenges head on. In response to global environmental risks, China advocates for building a community of all life on the Earth. To bridge the digital and AI divide, it has launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All to ensure that technological advancements benefit every corner of the globe.

On the security front, China continues to promote dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones while engaging in multilateral security collaborations, reinforcing its reputation as a nation committed to peace and stability.

By proposing initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative, China is not just charting its own course toward modernization but championing an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization – one that seeks to ensure that no nation is left behind on the path to prosperity.

The global appeal of Chinese modernization is far from accidental. Decades of reform and opening up have accelerated its development while enabling the country to contribute to global governance. On the international stage, it has taken on a leadership role – actively shaping global norms, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and advancing world peace and development. By sharing its successful experiences and technological advancements, the country seeks to help other developing countries chart their own courses toward progress.

With over 1.4 billion people engaged in this modernization journey – a number that surpasses the total population of all developed countries combined – China’s approach is redefining the global modernization landscape. For China, modernization is not solely a national endeavor but a blueprint for global progress – a vision that promises a more inclusive future for all.

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