China releases its first national space science mid- and long-term development plan and strives to become a powerful country in space science_1
On October 15, 2023, a joint announcement from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Space Administration, and the China Manned Space Engineering Office unveiled the “National Medium- and Long-term Development Plan for Space Science (2024-2050)” in Beijing. This is the first unified national plan for medium- and long-term development in China’s space science sector, with the overarching goal of establishing China as a leading nation in space science.
The plan defines the development goals for China’s space science endeavors and identifies five scientific themes for breakthrough research: “Extreme Universe,” “Spacetime Ripples,” “Sun-Earth Panorama,” “Habitability of Planets,” and “Space Matter.” It also outlines 17 priority areas for development and sketches out a roadmap for scientific tasks to be executed in three phases: up to 2027, from 2028 to 2035, and from 2036 to 2050.
At the press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office, representatives expressed optimism that the implementation of this development plan would accelerate revolutionary breakthroughs in basic scientific research within the space science field in China. They believe it will help the nation achieve world-class scientific results, advance space technology, enhance the quality of space applications, and contribute to building a global community for humanity’s shared future in outer space, thereby reinforcing China’s position as a strong space and technology nation.
The “National Medium- and Long-term Development Plan for Space Science (2024-2050)” aims to foster comprehensive development across space science, technology, and applications. It will serve as the primary guideline for task deployment and research activities in the space science sector in the current and upcoming periods.
The planning process brought together insights from numerous experts and scholars in the field of space science across the country. Coordinated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the National Space Administration and various government bodies—such as the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance—over 500 scholars, including more than 50 academicians, contributed to this extensive two-year effort. This collaborative endeavor relied on broad consultations to gather diverse opinions and suggestions, culminating in the finalized development plan.
