On March 13, 2026, the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (IAS) of the University of Macau held a guest lecture featuring Dr. Fuquan Sun, former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED) and Grade II Research Fellow at the Ministry of Science and Technology, who delivered a talk entitled “National Innovation-Driven Development Strategy in the New Era”. The event was part of the University of Macau’s 45th-anniversary celebrations and was moderated by Professor Bing Shui, Associate Director of the IAS and Professor in the Department of Global Legal Studies, Faculty of Law, University of Macau.

At the beginning of this lecture, Dr. Sun drew upon Michael Porter’s theory of competitive advantage, emphasising that innovation-driven development is the key driver of sustainable prosperity after the factor-driven and investment-driven stages. He noted that the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) is a critical period for building China into a sci-tech powerhouse and a modernized country. Integrating analyses of the current international technological competition landscape and trends in the new wave of technological revolution, he examined the contemporary context for implementing the innovation-driven development strategy. As cutting-edge technologies continue to advance and the global innovation landscape rapidly transforms, technological innovation has emerged as a decisive factor influencing national competitiveness and developmental initiative. To meet the demands of high-quality development, China must further anchor its development in innovation, accelerate the cultivation of new drivers of growth, and forge new competitive advantages.

Regarding strategic deployment for innovation-driven development in the new era, Dr. Sun systematically elaborated on the overall thinking, goal orientation, and key tasks. He stated that the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy hinges on pursuing self-reliance and strength in science and technology, strengthening the development of national strategic scientific and technological capabilities, promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial development, and continuously enhancing the overall performance of the national innovation system. Looking ahead, greater emphasis should be placed on achieving breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, improving basic research capacity, facilitating the translation and application of scientific and technological achievements, and nurturing high-level innovative talent, so as to provide solid support for building a strong country in science and technology and advancing Chinese-style modernization. When addressing specific measures, he stressed the need to advance the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent in a coordinated manner, further optimize the allocation of innovation resources, improve the systems and mechanisms for scientific and technological innovation, stimulate the vitality of all types of innovation entities, and foster a more coordinated, efficient and open landscape for innovative development.

At the discussion session, Professor Shui responded in light of Macao’s actual conditions and raised questions on the future path of the innovation-driven development strategy in Macao. He particularly noted being impressed by the metaphor shared in the lecture— “the government is the sunshine, the market is the soil, talents are the seeds, and culture is the climate”—to summarize the conditions for fostering an innovation ecosystem left a deep impression on him. It further prompted reflections on how Macao can nurture its local sci-tech innovation ecosystem and promote the coordinated development of institutional support, market vitality, talent aggregation, and social culture. Other professors also contributed their perspectives from different disciplinary backgrounds on Macao’s role in scientific and technological innovation, industry–university–research collaboration, institutional development, and regional coordination. The exchange was lively and engaging.

With its broad national perspective and interdisciplinary relevance, the lecture not only deepened participants’ understanding of China’s innovation-driven development strategy in the new era, but also encouraged cross-disciplinary exchange on technology, institutions, and social development.