Xi Jinping Calls for Accelerated Technological Self-Reliance to Build a Strong Nation
President Xi Jinping has issued a directive calling for accelerated high-level technological self-reliance as a cornerstone of China’s path to becoming a strong nation, state media reported on May 29. The directive, published by Xinhua News Agency under the series “Learning New Words: The General Secretary Leads the Path to a Strong Nation,” emphasizes indigenous innovation and reducing dependence on foreign technology at a critical juncture for China’s development strategy.
Context: The 15th Five-Year Plan Framework
The directive arrives as China enters the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which explicitly prioritizes technological sovereignty and positions science and technology as central to national security and development strategy. According to BBC Chinese analysis, the plan reveals three strategic economic priorities: upgrading the technology self-reliance strategy from reactive to proactive, launching an “AI+” strategy modeled on the earlier “Internet+” initiative, and shifting from investment-driven to consumption-driven growth.
The term “science and technology” appears 46 times in the Plan proposal, while “innovation” appears 61 times, underscoring the centrality of technological autonomy to China’s future trajectory.
The 16 Strong Nation Goals
The 15th Five-Year Plan outlines 16 “Strong Nation” construction goals, up from 11 in the previous plan. The Chinese government website detailed these goals in March 2026, with “Science and Technology Strong Nation” prominently featured. Five new goals were added: Aerospace Strong Nation, Energy Strong Nation, Financial Strong Nation, Agricultural Strong Nation, and Tourism Strong Nation.
CCTV reported that the 16 goals span both hard and soft power dimensions, including manufacturing, quality, aerospace, transportation, networking, education, science and technology, talent, culture, sports, trade, ocean, energy, finance, agriculture, and tourism.
Key Achievements and Historical Continuity
The Xinhua directive highlights major indigenous innovations including the “Jiuzhang” quantum computer, the “Tianwen” Mars exploration mission, and the “Chang’e” lunar exploration program as examples of China’s growing technological capabilities. The article states: “Major original achievements such as Jiuzhang, Tianwen, and Chang’e are emerging at an accelerated pace; technology and industry are deeply integrated; new quality productive forces are flourishing.”
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Xi Jinping has consistently placed scientific and technological innovation at the core of national development. The directive reaffirms this longstanding priority, signaling policy continuity rather than a shift in direction.
Analysis: Implications for US-China Technology Competition
The directive comes amid intensifying US-China technology competition, particularly in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing. According to experts cited by BBC Chinese, the 15th Five-Year Plan marks a shift from “passive response” to “active offense” in technology competition. China has identified rare earths as a strategic countermeasure and adjusted visa policies to attract global tech talent.
Wang Dan of the Eurasia Group noted that Chinese officials have reached an “overwhelming consensus” that China must win this competition regardless of cost. Michael Hirson of 22V Research described the plan as both continuity and intensification from the 14th Five-Year Plan, aimed at addressing weaknesses exposed by US technology restrictions.
”New Quality Productive Forces” and Industrial Transformation
A key concept in Xi’s economic vision, “new quality productive forces” refers to productivity driven by technological revolution, data, and green development. The 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly links technological self-reliance to the development of these new productive forces. National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie noted that emerging industries could expand to 10 trillion yuan by 2030.
What to Watch For
As China accelerates its push for technological sovereignty, several key questions remain. How Beijing balances self-reliance with continued foreign investment and technology cooperation will shape global supply chains. The “AI+” strategy’s impact on employment and social stability, and whether the shift toward consumption-driven growth complements or conflicts with technology investment priorities, will be critical to watch in the coming years.
The directive from Xi Jinping makes clear that technological self-reliance is not merely an economic objective but a national security imperative — one that will define China’s trajectory through the 15th Five-Year Plan period and beyond.