China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) administered by the central government increased research and development (R&D) spending in 2025, reinforcing the country’s push for innovation-driven growth and strengthening technological self-reliance across strategic industries.
Data released by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) showed that central SOEs invested a total of 1.1 trillion yuan (about $158.51 billion) in R&D last year. Importantly, this marked the fourth consecutive year that their annual R&D spending exceeded the 1-trillion-yuan threshold.
The figures highlight the strong commitment of central SOEs to technological advancement and industrial upgrading. R&D intensity, measured as the percentage of revenue reinvested into research, reached 2.86 percent in 2025. This steady rise indicates that these enterprises continue to prioritize innovation as a core development strategy.
Moreover, central SOEs strengthened their talent base. By the end of the year, they employed 1.44 million R&D personnel. This large research workforce supports projects in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, new energy, information technology, aerospace, and high-end equipment production.
In addition, these enterprises established 474 national-level R&D platforms. These platforms serve as hubs for scientific research, pilot testing, and industrial application. They also help accelerate the commercialization of technological breakthroughs and improve the efficiency of innovation processes.
SASAC noted that central SOEs have played an increasingly important role in promoting collaborative innovation. They have expanded cooperation with private enterprises, universities, and research institutes. Through joint laboratories and industry-academia partnerships, they aim to address critical technological bottlenecks and enhance supply chain resilience.
Overall, the sustained increase in R&D investment reflects China’s broader strategy to achieve high-quality development. By strengthening innovation capacity and core technologies, central SOEs are expected to support economic transformation and improve global competitiveness in strategic industries.
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