Global Experts Applaud Sci-tech Achievements

When Professor Enrico Zio, an Italian engineering system expert, first visited China in the early 2000s, he encountered a nation stepping up efforts to promote sci-tech development. Over the years, as he returned for academic collaborations regularly, he witnessed a profound transformation not in one field, but across the entire innovation ecosystem.

From smart cities and high-speed rail to breakthroughs in AI and clean energy, the scale and coherence of China's scientific advancement left a deep impression. "China's development in the sci-tech field is amazing, stimulating and frankly, reassuring," Zio said.

His observation reflects a growing consensus among international scientists. China's scientific and technological progress during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021—2025) has transcended national advancement to become a driving force for global innovation, contributing to global sustainability, equity and shared progress.

Strategic, systematic, pioneering progress

International experts consistently describe China's scientific development in terms of long-term strategy and systemic coherence.

Professor Henry H. Radamson, a Swedish scientist at the Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said China now leads in many fields such as AI, space exploration, battery technology, biotechnology and renewable energy. The nation's ability to scale innovations rapidly and efficiently stands out.

Dr. Marie Luce Chevalier, a French-Belgian geoscientist at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, underscored the ambition and integration driving this progress.

"In recent years, China's scientific innovation has been truly ambitious, especially in Earth sciences and high-tech industries," she said. "The scale of national projects, from large geological surveys to major infrastructure developments like high-speed rail networks, shows how research and engineering are closely linked to solving real-world challenges. It has also been transformative both in terms of technology and in the way research is conducted."

Chevalier also pointed to the digital transformation of daily life. "At the same time, breakthroughs in digital technologies, including mobile payment platforms and advanced delivery logistics, have transformed everyday life and commerce, demonstrating China's ability to scale innovations rapidly and efficiently," she said.

Broader social implication

China's scientific achievements are not confined to laboratories. They are driving tangible improvements in health, energy, environment and culture.

In the energy sector, solar power stands out as a transformative success. Radamson emphasized China's breakthrough in scaling photovoltaic technology from research to mass production. Recent years have seen record installations of solar capacity, supported by advances in materials science.

"This is accelerating the global transition to clean energy," Radamson said. "China is not just producing solar panels, it is advancing the science behind them."

In environmental health, Professor Francesco Faiola from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the CAS said, "What makes this achievement so remarkable is that it has been realized in a developing nation of over 1.4 billion people, proving that robust economic growth and environmental protection can be pursued simultaneously."

Faiola is particularly impressed by a cutting-edge scientific innovation beyond macro-level progress: "China has done pioneering work in human stem cell-based testing systems for emerging pollutants."

By using organoids to simulate human liver and nervous system responses, Chinese scientists have created tools that overcome the limitations of animal testing. "This is groundbreaking because it allows regulators to assess health risks before pollutants become a widespread problem, fundamentally shifting policy from passive management to active intervention," he said.

The impact of science on daily life and public safety is also evident in geoscience. Chevalier highlighted how large-scale geophysical observation has advanced both knowledge and resilience.

"In Earth sciences, what has most inspired me is China's rapid advancement in large-scale geophysical observation and active fault research, especially across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau," she said.

Improved infrastructure, including better roads and access to remote areas, has made fieldwork more efficient and safer. "This combination of scientific ambition, practical infrastructure and societal relevance is one of the most inspiring aspects of China's geoscientific development to me," she added.

Advancing inclusive global development

Professor Felix Dapare Dakora, a member of the African Academy of Sciences, drew attention to large-scale scientific programs such as Genome to Phenome. He described them as "mega science" with real humanitarian value.

"This research helps smallholder farmers in Africa adapt to drought, salinity and climate change," Dakora said. "China's leadership in this area is visionary."

He praised platforms like the Belt and Road Initiative for creating new opportunities for scientists from developing countries. Through joint research, training and infrastructure support, these programs are narrowing the global science gap.

"Scientists from Africa, Asia and Latin America are now co-creators of knowledge," Dakora said. "This spirit of unity is essential. In the sci-tech field, collaboration multiplies strength."

Chevalier also noted the increasing openness of China's research community. International collaborations in earth sciences, climate modeling and high-tech industries are now common.

"Large joint programs foster meaningful exchange. The benefits extend far beyond national borders," she said.

In cultural heritage preservation, China's cooperation with other nations reflects a commitment to shared human values. Irina Bokova, former director general of UNESCO, emphasized the significance of the Beijing Central Axis being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

She said China is sharing its experience to help other countries preserve their own heritage. A prime example is China-ASEAN cooperation in cultural heritage protection.

"Collaborative digitalization efforts, such as 3D scanning of monuments or creating online cultural archives, have begun to emerge," Bokova said. "These initiatives are crucial for safeguarding heritage from climate change, conflict and time."

Chinese experts worked hand in hand with Cambodian teams to revive one of the world's most iconic sites, the Angkor Wat. "This collaboration is not just technical," Bokova remarked, "it is deeply symbolic of mutual respect and enduring friendship."

Source: Science and Technology Daily