Why Xi gathered China’s top scientists in Beidaihe

(Edited and refined by Grace Chong, with the assistance of AI translation.)

A number of Chinese experts in basic research, frontier science and core technologies have been invited to this year’s annual Beidaihe summer retreat, a move analysts say signals Beijing’s intention to step up investment in these areas during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) as it seeks to overcome critical technological bottlenecks.

On 3 August, Cai Qi, a Politburo Standing Committee member and first secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Secretariat, visited the experts attending the retreat in Beidaihe, Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. An official group photograph showed that around 60 experts had been invited to take part this year.

A review by Lianhe Zaobao found that many of the invitees came from the fields of basic research and frontier science. They included Shi Yigong, president of research-focused Westlake University and a structural biologist; Xie Xiaoliang, director of Changping Laboratory, a life sciences research institute; quantum physicist Lu Chao-Yang; physical oceanographer Wu Lixin; and ancient DNA specialist Fu Qiaomei.

Also pictured with Cai were leading technical experts from strategically important sectors, including Cai Xuzhe, commander of the Shenzhou-19 mission; Huang Weina, chief model designer at Aero Engine Corporation of China; Zhang Haibin, chief designer of the Meng Xiang, China’s first deep-ocean drilling vessel; and Su Quanke, chief engineer of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Basic research now top of Beijing’s agenda

The practice of inviting leading experts and scholars to Beidaihe for a summer retreat began in 1987. Each year’s retreat theme and the professional backgrounds of those invited are closely watched for clues to China’s strategic priorities and policy direction.

According to Xinhua News Agency, this year’s retreat is themed “Advancing the 15th Five-Year Plan” (奋进十五五), with invitations extended primarily to representatives from the fields of basic research, strategic frontier technologies, key core technologies, and philosophy and the social sciences.

This appears to be the first time the official Beidaihe retreat report has explicitly referred to “strategic frontier technologies” and “key core technologies”. It also marks a shift in priorities: basic research, which ranked third in last year’s ordering of key fields, has moved to the top this year.

Speaking to Lianhe Zaobao, Arthur Ding, professor emeritus at National Chengchi University’s Graduate Institute of East Asia Studies, said the ordering and terminology reflected, to some extent, Beijing’s scientific and technological research priorities for the next phase. Coupled with the retreat’s focus on the 15th Five-Year Plan, it suggests China will channel more resources into these areas over the next five years.

Against the backdrop of the intensifying China-US technology rivalry, Ding said the Chinese leadership’s foremost priority is likely to be “achieving breakthroughs in science and technology and overcoming the technological chokeholds imposed by the US”.

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, released in March, identifies artificial intelligence, quantum technology, controlled nuclear fusion, life sciences and deep-sea exploration as priority areas for frontier technology breakthroughs. It also calls for decisive breakthroughs in key core technologies across strategic sectors, including integrated circuits, machine tools, high-end instruments, basic software, advanced materials and biomanufacturing.

At a symposium on strengthening basic research held in Shanghai in late April, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that basic research is the origin of the entire scientific system and the master switch for all technological issues. He called for greater efforts and more concrete measures to strengthen basic research.

Shen Yiqin absent from annual retreat

Meanwhile, Chinese State Councillor Shen Yiqin, who had accompanied Cai in visiting the experts at the Beidaihe retreat for the past three years, was absent from this year’s official reports and group photograph. Instead, State Councillor and State Council Secretary-General Wu Zhenglong occupied the seat previously held by Shen.

Footage broadcast by CCTV showed Shen’s last public appearance was at a CCP Politburo group study session on 30 July.

Guizhou province, where Shen spent much of her political career, has since last year been hit by a sweeping corruption crackdown targeting its big data sector. A string of officials have fallen from grace, including former Kweichow Moutai Group chairman Ding Xiongjun, who had previously served as Shen’s dami (大秘, similar to a principal secretary).

Arthur Ding said there is currently no evidence linking Shen to the anti-corruption investigation in Guizhou. He added that, with the CCP due to convene its 21st Party Congress next year, personnel reshuffles have accelerated in recent months. Shen, who is 67, could also be gradually stepping back from frontline politics ahead of the leadership transition.

“However, these are all speculative interpretations that will require further observation and confirmation,” he said.

In last year’s Beidaihe group photograph, Jiang Xinzhi, then 67, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, and concurrently executive deputy head of the CCP’s Organization Department, was absent. His place was taken by Huang Jianfa, another deputy head of the department. By late September, Huang had publicly appeared as the department’s executive deputy head, indicating he had succeeded Jiang in the role.

This article was first published in Lianhe Zaobao as “关键技术领域专家受邀北戴河度假 反映未来五年重点攻关领域”.

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