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　　On July 22, 2025, a special press conference for the “Development Strategy Series of China’s Engineering Science and Technology 2040” was held at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Jointly hosted by the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the event unveiled a series of reports and related outcomes from medium- and long-term strategic research in China’s engineering science and technology field.

　　According to reports, since 2009, the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the National Natural Science Foundation of China have jointly conducted research on the medium- and long-term development strategy for China’s engineering science and technology. The “Research on the Development Strategy of China’s Engineering Science and Technology 2040” is the third issue of this series, focusing on the critical year of 2040. It explores the essence and fundamental task of building a great power in science and technology, addressing the nation’s major strategic needs, and tackling key engineering and technology issues related to economic development and national security. This research has brought together nearly 300 academicians and almost 900 experts and scholars to systematically examine global engineering science and technology trends, thoroughly assess China’s future development needs, and innovatively develop a methodology for the “Vision-driven Research on the Development Strategy of China’s Engineering Science and Technology 2040,” creating a scientific blueprint for the future development of China’s engineering science and technology. The findings have been incorporated into the “Development Strategy Series of China’s Engineering Science and Technology 2040,” funded by the National Publication Foundation.

　　At the press conference, Li Xiaohong, Secretary of the Leading Party Group and President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noted that as China embarks on its great journey to fully build a modern socialist country, it is especially critical to conduct strategic research with a medium- and long-term outlook toward 2040. He highlighted the importance of planning innovation in engineering science and technology with a forward-looking and global perspective, in order to fully harness its powerful driving and supporting role in the great practice of Chinese modernization. These strategic research outcomes provide strong support for the systematic planning and forward-looking deployment of national engineering science and technology. They offer important reference value for the deployment of basic research in relevant fields and help China gain a strategic edge in global technological competition.

　　Dou Xiankang, Secretary of the Leading Party Group and Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, stated that amid the new wave of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, the connection between basic research and engineering science and technology is growing ever closer. Strengthening the synergy between these two fields is essential to addressing major national strategic needs, fulfilling the new mission of the Science Foundation, and laying a solid groundwork for achieving sci-tech self-reliance and self-strengthening at higher levels. To this end, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Engineering have jointly conducted research on the Development Strategy for China’s Engineering Science and Technology 2040, outlining the blueprint for China’s engineering science and technology development by 2040. The research identifies key priorities and targets for basic research in engineering science and technology, positioning itself to play a leading and strategic role. Looking ahead, both parties will continue to strengthen their collaboration, offering sustained support for the country’s top-level planning in science and technology innovation and the strategic layout of basic research. Their shared goal is to make even greater contributions to achieving sci-tech self-reliance and self-strengthening at higher levels and to building a great power in science and technology.

　　At the press conference, several academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering delivered special reports on the comprehensive study, focusing on key areas including information electronics, energy and mining, chemical engineering, metallurgy, and materials. They offered an in-depth interpretation of the series’ core insights and further emphasized the critical role of engineering science and technology in advancing Chinese modernization.