At the recent provincial science and technology work conference held in Hefei, reporters learned that in 2025 Anhui advanced in major indicators such as total R&D expenditure and saw a surge of significant achievements: 24 companies from the province were listed on the STAR Market, ranking sixth nationally; there were 42,281 technology‑based small and medium‑sized enterprises (fifth nationally); and the province was home to 18 unicorns (sixth nationally).

During the 14th Five‑Year Plan period, the provincial science and technology system proactively integrated into national strategic layouts, strove to build a leading high ground for scientific innovation, continuously promoted deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, and steadily deepened reforms of the S&T system and mechanisms. The main goals of the 14th Five‑Year science and technology innovation plan have largely been achieved, major strategic tasks have been comprehensively implemented, and the province's regional innovation capacity has remained among the country's top ranks — taking solid steps toward becoming a source of scientific and technological innovation with significant influence.

2026 marks the opening year of the 15th Five‑Year Plan. How will Anhui achieve new breakthroughs in becoming a highly influential S&T innovation source? The conference proposed advancing construction of the Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta) International Science and Technology Innovation Center at a high level, and carrying out institutional reforms to materialize Binhu Science City. It called for strengthening S&T planning and monitoring and evaluation, enhancing the "Rixin: Jianghuai Science & Tech Salon" platform, and improving the overall effectiveness of the innovation system. The province will build up strategic scientific and technological capabilities tightly aligned with major national strategic needs, establish a "3+N" pattern for a science‑led innovation high ground, and create a matrix of high‑level innovation platforms to comprehensively strengthen its role as an originator of innovation.

At the same time, the province will reinforce original innovation and tackle key core technologies, strengthen organized basic research, and enhance high‑quality scientific and technological supply. It will promote deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, reinforce the dominant role of enterprises in innovation, and continuously improve the efficiency of technology transfer. The province will implement “AI+” initiatives to cultivate future industries and accelerate the formation of a new pattern in which technological innovation and industrial innovation mutually reinforce each other.

Moreover, the province will build an integrated development mechanism for education, science and technology, and talent — continuing efforts in collaborative talent cultivation, attracting and nurturing high‑level personnel, overseas talent recruitment, and talent evaluation reform. To expand open scientific and technological cooperation, Anhui will refine precise attraction mechanisms, improve the science‑and‑technology finance system, vigorously foster an innovation culture, promote coordinated regional innovation development, deepen international S&T cooperation, and build a competitive innovation ecosystem.

Source: Anhui Daily