Strengthening basic research reflects the long-termism of China's development

On April 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping attended a symposium on strengthening basic research, stressing that basic research should be advanced with greater intensity and more practical measures, further solidifying the foundation for building a strong country in science and technology, and calling for sustained efforts to achieve continuous new progress. The article argues that this arrangement reflects longtermism and strategic resolve in China's development. The article points out that basic research is the source of the science and technology system. It has a long cycle and high uncertainty, which determines that this work cannot pursue quick results, but must be carried through with sustained effort over a long period. Faced with the increasingly frontierfocused international competition in science and technology, China needs to make overall plans, toplevel designs, and systematic arrangements, clarify the main direction of effort, and promote the combination of free exploration and goal orientation. The article also mentions that in recent years China has continued to increase investment in basic research, with related funding rising from less than 50 billion yuan in 2012 to nearly 280 billion yuan in 2025, and its share of total R&D investment across society exceeding 7% for the first time. At the same time, supporting measures in areas such as talent cultivation, research platforms, and evaluation mechanisms are also being continuously improved, aiming to build longerterm momentum for technological innovation.