Strengthening China Through Science and Education: China's Development Strategy Toward the Twenty-First Century

The paper reviews the background against which the strategy of "revitalizing the nation through science, technology, and education" (kejiao xingguo) was put forward, related major national programs, and progress, problems, and prospects of China's science, technology, and education at the turn of the twenty-first century. With support from the Party leadership and the government, China during the past seven years has increased her funding for research and education, and implemented major programs that would elevate the country's standards in science and education. However, the nation is still facing challenges of insufficient funding, lack of high-quality researchers, weak industrial research and development (R&D) and high-tech capabilities, and lower research quality. Pursuing quick returns and short-term interests will only result in the stagnation of China as a second-tier science, technology, and education country for a long time to come.