Recently, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the Chinese mainland’s research and development (R&D) intensity — measured as R&D spending as a share of GDP — climbed to 2.8% in 2025. That means, for the first time, it has surpassed the average level of OECD members! 🎉
Also in 2025, the Chinese mainland broke into the top 10 economies on the Global Innovation Index, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. Innovation is officially on the rise! 💡
High-tech manufacturing saw explosive growth last year. Production of 3D-printing equipment soared by 52.5%, civilian drones by 37.3%, and industrial robots by 28% year on year. 🤖✨ For many of us, factories churning out humanoid robots sound like sci-fi, but it’s happening now!
By the end of 2025, over 500 excellence-level smart factories were up and running, says the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Sectors like high-end equipment, green energy, and intelligent manufacturing are pulling in more investment and scaling up output fast.
Digital transformation is in full swing. Investment in information services jumped 28.4%, while funding for aircraft, spacecraft, and equipment manufacturing climbed 16.9%. The future is digital, automated, and interstellar! 🚀
And let’s talk green energy. New energy vehicle output topped 16 million units in 2025 — that’s about 45,000 EVs rolling off production lines every single day, making up over half of new car sales. 🌱🚗 Clean power generation at large industrial enterprises also rose by 8.8%, thanks to hydropower, nuclear, wind, and solar sources.
All these trends show the Chinese mainland is powering into a high-tech, green future. For students, entrepreneurs, and explorers alike, there’s never been a more exciting time to watch innovation in action! 🌏✨
Reference(s):
China's R&D intensity exceeds OECD average for the first time
cgtn.com
