Science and technology achievements drive nation's progress

Research and innovation key to goal of self-sufficiency. Zhang Zhihao reports.

Starting the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) with a bang may have been the essence of China's science and technology sector last year, highlighted by the fact that many major original breakthroughs, from basic sciences to core technologies, came to fruition.

With feats such as landing the nation's first rover on Mars, synthesizing starch from carbon dioxide and discovering PeVatron－the most powerful particle accelerator in our galaxy and a source of Very-High-Energy Cosmic Rays capable of accelerating particles to an energy level of 1 quadrillion (1 million billion) electron volts－China's scientists bolstered the search for a high level of self-reliance and strength in science and technology by expanding the boundaries of knowledge.

One key indicator of China's growing innovative prowess is that last year it climbed two spots to 12th place among 132 countries and economies on the Global Innovation Ranking, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization.