The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made strategic arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, fully reflecting the historical initiative and firm confidence of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in unswervingly comprehensively deepening reform, and will surely open up a new realm of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese Modernization" (hereinafter referred to as the "Decision") adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made systematic arrangements for "deepening the reform of the science and technology system" in the section "Building institutional mechanisms that support comprehensive innovation," which is a key measure to stimulate the innovation and creativity of the whole society. We must conscientiously study and implement the major decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, strive to advance high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, and provide strong scientific and technological support for Chinese modernization.

　　Supporting and leading Chinese modernization through scientific and technological modernization requires deepening the reform of the science and technology system

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made a series of major decisions and arrangements on deepening the reform of the science and technology system, driving China's scientific and technological undertakings to achieve historic accomplishments and undergo historic changes. The key to Chinese modernization lies in scientific and technological modernization, and the key to building a great modern socialist country lies in scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening. Further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization require deepening the reform of the science and technology system.

　　Deepening the reform of the science and technology system is an inevitable choice for adapting to a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation and accelerating the building of a strong country in science and technology. At present, global scientific and technological innovation has entered a period of intensive activity, and a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is developing rapidly. Basic research is constantly expanding the boundaries of human cognition, and frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology have achieved breakthroughs at multiple points and triggered chain reactions, driving profound adjustments in global industrial structure, economic forms, and human lifestyles. At the same time, scientific research paradigms have undergone major changes, interdisciplinary integration is deepening, and strategic orientation and data-driven approaches have become important methods of scientific and technological innovation. We must build and improve the organizational methods and governance models of scientific and technological innovation, coordinate and advance the integrated reform of the systems and mechanisms for education, science and technology, and talent, and use more sound systems and mechanisms to continuously expand the depth and breadth of scientific research, spawn more original, disruptive, and frontier technologies, enhance China's scientific and technological competitiveness and leadership, seize the commanding heights of science and technology, and gain strategic initiative.

　　Deepening the reform of the science and technology system is an inevitable choice for developing new quality productive forces and achieving high-quality development. High-quality development is the primary task of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and scientific and technological innovation is the core element in developing new quality productive forces. At present, scientific and technological innovation, with its ubiquitous penetration, diffusion, and driving effects, is broadly empowering economic and social development, and new quality productive forces have already taken shape in practice and demonstrated strong driving force for high-quality development. We must further strengthen the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, promote a virtuous cycle among science and technology, industry, and finance, build new production relations that are compatible with new quality productive forces, let all kinds of advanced and high-quality innovation factors gather toward the development of new quality productive forces, and continuously spawn new industries, new models, and new drivers.

　　Deepening the reform of the science and technology system is an inevitable choice for enhancing national competitiveness and responding to external risks and challenges. At present, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the scientific and technological revolution and great-power competition are intertwined, and the high-technology field has become the forefront and main battlefield of international competition, profoundly affecting the global order and development landscape. The international situation is severe and complex, and China's development faces many challenges, such as externally manufactured scientific and technological barriers and attempts to split the global innovation chain and industrial chain. Competition among countries is competition of strength, the key is competition in scientific and technological innovation capacity, and what lies behind it is whose system is superior. We must fully leverage the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, unswervingly follow the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the "two-wheel drive" of scientific and technological innovation and institutional innovation, focus on solving prominent problems such as relatively weak original innovation capacity and key core technologies being controlled by others, and accelerate the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening.

　　Firmly grasping the practical foundation and overall requirements for further deepening the reform of the science and technology system in the new period

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has carried out strategic planning and top-level deployment for the reform of the science and technology system, promoted breakthroughs in reforms in key areas and key links, basically established the foundational institutional framework for scientific and technological innovation, and further improved the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system. In 2023, the Party Central Committee established the Central Science and Technology Commission and reorganized the Ministry of Science and Technology, promoting the systematic reconstruction and holistic reshaping of China's science and technology leadership and management system, and the reform of the science and technology system has continued to deepen and expand. First, the systems and mechanisms for the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over science and technology work have become more sound. The Central Science and Technology Commission has strengthened top-level design, overall coordination, holistic advancement, and supervision and implementation of science and technology work; science and technology management departments have strengthened their focus on strategy, reform, planning, policy, and services; the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide has become more sound; and the effectiveness of scientific and technological innovation governance has markedly improved. Second, coordination in key links of science and technology work has become more powerful. Coordination of science and technology strategic planning, policies and measures, major tasks, research forces, resource platforms, and regional innovation has been strengthened; the layout of national strategic scientific and technological forces has accelerated; and the science and technology strategic planning and policy system has been further improved. Third, the organization and coordination mechanism for major national science and technology tasks has become more complete. Focusing on the frontiers of global science and technology, the main economic battlefield, major national needs, and people's life and health, the systems and mechanisms for selecting major directions of scientific and technological innovation and for project initiation, organization and implementation, and policy support of major projects have been improved, and major national science and technology projects have accelerated in launching and implementation. Fourth, full-chain management of scientific and technological innovation has become more efficient. The systems and mechanisms running through basic research, technological innovation, achievement transformation, and industrialization have been improved; the combination of basic research and talent cultivation has become closer; the principal role of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation has been further strengthened; and the mechanism for transforming scientific and technological achievements has been continuously improved. Fifth, coordination and interaction in science and technology management have become smoother. Interdepartmental science and technology management responsibilities have continued to be optimized; the overall layout of the regional scientific and technological innovation system in the new era has taken initial shape; the systems and mechanisms for the integrated development of military and civilian science and technology have become more complete; and a preliminary synergy among departments, central and local authorities, and military and civilian science and technology work has been formed. These new developments have laid a solid foundation for further deepening the reform of the science and technology system.

　　The "Decision" proposes that the general goal of further comprehensively deepening reform is to continue to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's governance system and governance capacity. Deepening the reform of the science and technology system must firmly grasp this general goal, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, take General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on comprehensively deepening reform and scientific and technological innovation as the fundamental guideline, and continuously enrich and develop the practical experience and important principles of deepening the reform of the science and technology system. First, uphold Party leadership and improve the science and technology management system. We must firmly grasp the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over science and technology work, improve the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, and ensure that the reform of the science and technology system always advances in the correct direction. Second, adhere to the "Four Orientations" and strengthen institutional safeguards for science and technology to support high-quality development and guarantee high-level security. We must strengthen the layout of scientific and technological innovation across all fields and the deployment across the entire chain, improve the systems and mechanisms for tackling key core technologies, comprehensively enhance China's scientific and technological strength and innovation capacity, and lay an institutional foundation for realizing high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening. Third, adhere to a systematic perspective and enhance the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system. We must focus on building an efficient, coordinated, and open national innovation system, plan the reform of the science and technology system from an overall perspective and advance it holistically, and strengthen the positive interaction between scientific and technological innovation and reform and development in all fields of the economy and society. Fourth, adhere to a people-centered approach and stimulate the innovation vitality of the whole society. We must take stimulating the enthusiasm and creativity of all kinds of innovation entities and scientific and technological personnel as the starting point and ultimate goal, create an institutional environment that encourages innovation and tolerates failure, and stimulate the vitality and motivation of talent resources.

　　Fully implementing the Party Central Committee's important tasks for deepening the reform of the science and technology system

　　The 20th National Congress of the CPC drew a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and clearly set the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035. The "Decision," oriented toward basically realizing Chinese modernization by 2035, made systematic arrangements for deepening the reform of the science and technology system. We must resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, adhere to the "Four Orientations," fully understand the strategic leading position and fundamental supporting role of scientific and technological innovation, build a new system for mobilizing resources nationwide that is suited to leading high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, build a national innovation system that meets the requirements of building a strong country in science and technology, advance the modernization of the national science and technology governance system and governance capacity, and provide support for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

　　Improve the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide and optimize the organization mechanism for major scientific and technological innovation. Strengthen the building of national strategic scientific and technological forces, improve the national laboratory system, optimize the positioning and layout of national research institutions, high-level research universities, and leading science and technology enterprises, advance central-local coordination in scientific and technological innovation, coordinate the building of various science and technology innovation platforms, encourage and regulate the development of new-type research and development institutions, leverage the leading role of China's ultra-large-scale market, strengthen the coordination of innovation resources and the organization of forces, and promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. Adhere to the "Four Orientations," coordinate and strengthen efforts to tackle key core technologies, and promote the systematization, institutionalization, and coordination of scientific and technological innovation forces, factor allocation, and talent teams. Improve the systems and mechanisms for the development of key industrial chains such as integrated circuits, industrial mother machines, medical equipment, instruments and meters, basic software, industrial software, and advanced materials, and advance technological breakthroughs and application of achievements across the entire chain. Build a system for monitoring, early warning, and response to scientific and technological security risks, and strengthen independent support for basic conditions for science and technology.

　　Improve the reform of science and technology project and funding management and optimize the coordinated allocation of national science and technology resources. Implement classified management and organization models for major national science and technology tasks, and establish a new mechanism for incorporating local and enterprise science and technology projects into the national science and technology plan system. Improve science and technology plan management and strengthen forward-looking and leading layouts in basic research fields, interdisciplinary frontier fields, and key fields. Strengthen organized basic research, increase the proportion of science and technology expenditure used for basic research, improve the basic research investment mechanism that combines competitive support and stable support, encourage qualified localities, enterprises, social organizations, and individuals to support basic research, support the diversification of basic research topics, and encourage high-risk, high-value basic research. Establish a screening mechanism for non-consensus projects based on real-name recommendation by experts. Improve the allocation, management, and use mechanisms of central fiscal science and technology funds, and improve the management systems for the implementation of central fiscal science and technology plans and professional institutions. Expand the scope of the "lump-sum system" for fiscal research project funds, and give scientists greater decision-making power over technical routes, greater power to allocate funds, and greater power to deploy resources.

　　Coordinate and advance the integrated reform of the systems and mechanisms for education, science and technology, and talent, and promote a virtuous cycle among science and technology, education, and talent. Establish a discipline-setting adjustment mechanism and talent cultivation model driven by scientific and technological development and national strategic needs, make extraordinary arrangements for urgently needed disciplines and majors, focus on strengthening the cultivation of innovation capacity, and strengthen the synergy between science and technology education and humanities education. Improve the scientific and technological innovation mechanism of universities, advance university-enterprise collaborative innovation, and improve the effectiveness of achievement transformation. Implement a more proactive, more open, and more effective talent policy, and improve the mechanism for independent talent cultivation. Accelerate the building of national strategic talent forces, focus on cultivating and bringing up strategic scientists, first-class leading science and technology talent and innovation teams, and focus on cultivating and bringing up outstanding engineers, great craftsmen of the nation, and highly skilled talent. Improve the mechanism for discovering, selecting, and cultivating young innovative talent, and better guarantee the treatment of young scientific and technological personnel. Strengthen the talent incentive mechanism, improve the system for ensuring that research personnel can concentrate on research, adhere to delegating authority to employers and loosening constraints on talent, and establish a talent evaluation system oriented toward innovation capacity, quality, effectiveness, and contribution. Deepen the income distribution reform of universities and research institutes. Deepen the reform of the science and technology evaluation system, strengthen science and technology ethics governance, and rigorously rectify academic misconduct. Open up channels for talent exchange among universities, research institutes, and enterprises.

　　Strengthen the principal role of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation and promote the integrated development of science and technology, industry, and finance. Establish a mechanism for cultivating and strengthening leading science and technology enterprises, strengthen enterprise-led deep integration of industry, academia, and research, establish an enterprise research and development reserve fund system, support enterprises in taking the lead in or participating in national science and technology research tasks, and further open major national scientific research infrastructure to private enterprises. Build a mechanism to promote the development and growth of specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. Encourage small and medium-sized technology-based enterprises to increase research and development investment, and raise the proportion of additional tax deductions for research and development expenses. Allow research-type public institutions to implement more flexible management systems than ordinary public institutions and explore the implementation of enterprise-style management. Improve the systems and mechanisms for developing new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, strengthen innovation in key generic technologies, frontier-leading technologies, modern engineering technologies, and disruptive technologies, and strengthen institutional supply for new fields and new tracks. Deepen the reform of the mechanism for transforming scientific and technological achievements, strengthen the building of the national technology transfer system, accelerate the layout and construction of a number of proof-of-concept and pilot testing and validation platforms, improve application policies for first sets of equipment, first batches of materials, and first editions of software, and increase government procurement of independent innovation products. Strengthen the building of the technology manager workforce. Allow scientific and technological personnel greater autonomy in the distribution of income from the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, establish a separate asset management system for job-related scientific and technological achievements, and deepen the reform of empowering job-related scientific and technological achievements. Encourage and guide universities and research institutes to license scientific and technological achievements to small, medium-sized, and micro enterprises for use on a pay-after-use basis. Allow more qualified state-owned enterprises, oriented toward innovation and creativity, to carry out various forms of medium- and long-term incentives among research personnel. Build a science and technology finance system compatible with scientific and technological innovation, strengthen financial support for major national science and technology tasks and small and medium-sized technology-based enterprises, and improve support policies for long-term capital to invest early, in small enterprises, for the long term, and in hard technology. Improve the risk diversification mechanism for major technological breakthroughs and establish a science and technology insurance policy system. Improve the convenience for foreign capital to carry out equity investment and venture capital in China.

　　Expand international scientific and technological exchange and cooperation and build an open innovation environment with global competitiveness. Deeply integrate into the global scientific and technological innovation network, deepen government and nongovernmental scientific and technological innovation cooperation, and achieve deeper institutional opening-up in scientific and technological innovation. Strengthen the building of an internationalized research environment and establish mechanisms for opening major scientific and technological infrastructure and platforms to scientists worldwide. Encourage the establishment of international scientific and technological organizations in China and improve the system for Chinese research personnel to hold positions in international scientific and technological organizations. Improve the support and guarantee mechanism for introducing overseas talent and form a talent system with international competitiveness. Explore the establishment of an immigration system for high-tech talent. Optimize the management mechanisms for external professional exchange and cooperation of universities, research institutes, and science and technology societies.