Foreign experts quoted in a Science and Technology Daily report argue that China is entering a new phase of technology development defined less by fast catch-up and more by what they term "systematic innovation." Rather than single, isolated centers pursuing breakthroughs independently, the country is increasingly organizing innovation through integrated regional networks.
The report highlights the consolidation of major economic belts into collaborative systems - naming Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta as examples where formerly independent hubs are now cooperating as interconnected networks. That regional integration is presented as a deliberate policy choice intended to spread capabilities and align research and industrial strengths across contiguous areas.
Alongside spatial integration, the experts point to governance changes. They describe a move toward an "open governance framework" characterized by "clear rules." Francesco Faiola, among those interviewed, said the new framework has effectively replaced what he labeled "ambiguous discretion," a shift he said has increased international confidence in forming long-term, large-scale scientific partnerships with Chinese institutions.
The forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) is framed as a policy pivot in how China engages with foreign technology. Instead of the prior emphasis on a "one-way introduction" of overseas technology, the plan envisions a "two-way exchange" in which Chinese scientists take on more prominent roles in global scientific conversations. The report cites examples of Chinese researchers increasingly participating in setting international standards, including in areas such as stem cell research.
Experts also flagged strategic ambitions in sustainability and industrial modernization. Salman Nasir, identified in the report as being from Pakistan, praised the alignment between national policy and industrial innovation, saying the high degree of synergy allows for the "rapid scaling" of critical green technologies. The report lists solar fuels, green hydrogen and carbon capture as areas positioned to benefit from this coordinated approach.
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to include detailed proposals for establishing a "new energy system" and advancing a circular economy. The foreign experts suggested that such policy prescriptions could serve as models for other countries looking to manage a sustainable green transition, although the report frames that as a potential outcome rather than a foregone conclusion.
Another theme running through the report is the coexistence of deep cultural traditions with frontier technology. Shahbaz Khan, a UNESCO representative cited in the piece, said China is seeking to balance high-technology ambitions - including work in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and microchips - with a respect for "human dignity" and established cultural norms.
Finally, the report notes expectations that the 2026 Two Sessions will codify sustainable practices and more open scientific ecosystems, reinforcing what the experts described as China’s "unique development path" and its continuing contribution to the international community.
Key points
- China is shifting from a rapid catch-up model to "systematic innovation," emphasizing coordinated regional networks - sectors impacted: technology, manufacturing, regional development.
- The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) aims to move from "one-way introduction" to "two-way exchange," with Chinese scientists taking leadership roles in international standards discussions - sectors impacted: biotech, research, standards-setting bodies.
- Policy alignment is expected to accelerate scaling of green technologies such as solar fuels, green hydrogen and carbon capture - sectors impacted: energy, clean technology, industrial supply chains.
Risks and uncertainties
- The formalization of proposals at the 2026 Two Sessions remains an expectation by experts but is subject to the outcomes of those meetings - sectors impacted: policy-dependent industries such as energy and technology.
- Wider international adoption of the plan’s approaches by other countries is presented as a possibility rather than a certainty - sectors impacted: global sustainability projects and international technology partnerships.
- Realizing a transition from a "one-way introduction" model to sustained "two-way exchange" depends on continued confidence from foreign partners and clear governance - sectors impacted: research collaboration, biotech, standards-setting.