China’s research and development spending intensity reached 2.8% of GDP in 2025, up 0.11 percentage points from 2024, surpassing the average of OECD economies for the first time, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The country also entered the global Top Ten innovation rankings, reflecting significant progress in AI, quantum computing, digital industries, and green technologies.
In 2025, China’s investment in digital products, new energy vehicles, industrial robots, and green power expanded rapidly. The country became the first to hold over 5 million valid domestic invention patents, while Patent Cooperation Treaty filings led the world for the sixth consecutive year. Technological breakthroughs, including the Tianwen-2 mission, the Jiutian drone, and the CR450 high-speed train, highlighted China’s growing innovation capabilities.
China’s technological and industrial integration accelerated industrial upgrading, with high-tech and equipment manufacturing accounting for 17.1% and 36.8% of industrial value added. Digital penetration, AI adoption, and clean energy efforts strengthened economic transformation and sustainability, positioning China as a global leader in innovation-driven growth and green development.
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