China's R&D Spending Reaches 2.8% of GDP in 2025, Surpassing OECD Average for First Time
In 2025, China's research and development (R&D) spending intensity reached 2.8% of GDP, exceeding the OECD average for the first time, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This marks a 0.11 percentage point increase from the previous year.
China's R&D expenditure totaled 3.93 trillion yuan ($550 billion), maintaining its position as the second-largest global spender. The country also achieved significant technological milestones, including over 5 million valid domestic invention patents and leading the world in Patent Cooperation Treaty filings for six consecutive years.
The digital product manufacturing sector grew by 9.3% year-on-year, while new energy vehicles accounted for over 50% of domestic sales. Advances were noted in AI, quantum computing, and green energy, reflecting a shift toward innovation-driven economic growth. The low-altitude economy and intelligent manufacturing sectors also saw substantial growth.
