Two sessions on Science, Technology and innovation

Every Spring, China holds its most important political events of the year, the “Two Sessions"(两会), the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). At the opening ceremony at NPC this year, the Premier delivered the government working report to the Congress, including the review of the work in 2024, the overall targets for economic and social development and government working plan in 2025. During the meeting, the delegates discussed and reviewed the government work report and finally vote at the closing ceremony.

In the past year, China has accelerated the improvement of the basic system to support comprehensive innovation, and the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productivity. Spending on research and development (R&D) hit 3.6 trillion yuan, an increase of 8% in real terms. Investment in basic research accounted for 6.91% of the country’s total R&D spending.

In 2025, related to science and technology, innovation and higher education, China will

• adhere to innovation-driven development and promote education development, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation in an integrated manner.
• advance integrated and clustered development of strategic emerging industries along with other efforts to foster emerging and future industries.
• carry out demonstration initiatives on the large-scale application of new technologies, products and scenarios, and promote safe and sound development of commercial space, the low-altitude economy and other emerging industries.
• establish a mechanism to increase funding for the future and foster industries such as biomanufacturing, quantum technology, embodied artificial intelligence, and 6G technology.

75th Anniversary of Diplomatic relation between Sweden and China

This year is the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic relation between Sweden and China. Sweden is the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. As one of the highlighted events to celebrate, Seminar on Sustainable Material and Design was jointly organized by OSI Beijing and other sections in embassy at the Residence on April 8th.

Starting with the welcome remarks by Ambassador of Sweden to China Mr. Per Augustsson, the Swedish Ambassador for Climate Mr. Mattias Frumerie gave the keynote speech on Swedish Climate Policy Framework and actions plan on the Swedish Climate goal that zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. VINNOVA, IVL and one Chinese textile recycling company shared the Swedish strategic research and innovation programs on sustainable material and design, Life Cycle thinking driving sustainable eco-design, innovation and cutting-edge technology on reuse of Fabrics and sustainable supply chain. An active panel discussion on developing eco-friendly products from the phase of design and material selection – Innovation and inspiration. Experts from H&M Group China, SKF China, China Forest Green Carbon (Beijing) Technology and one Chinese designer shared their thoughts, experiences and achievements in the perspective of textile industry, industrial products and materials, forest and fashion design.

Joint Committee on Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation

Originally in 1978, Sweden and China established the Joint Committee on Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation. In April this year, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce led a delegation to Sweden for the meeting of the Joint Committee. Both sides have decided to merge the “FDI Working Group” and the “Environmental Protection and Energy Conservation Working Group” into the “Working Group on Green Transition Investments”. The Working Group will focus on four key areas of shared interest for Swedish and Chinese companies investing in the green transition:

• green energy and production, e.g. sustainable heating and renewable energy,
• green mobility, e.g. low-carbon and smart transportations,
• supply chain and circularity, e.g. increased transparency and innovative materials,
• sustainable urban development, e.g. green infrastructure and efficient waste management.