Construction of the national innovation system in the new era

Advancing the construction of the national innovation system is of great significance for supporting the realization of Chinese modernization through the modernization of science and technology. By conducting an in-depth analysis of the conceptual connotation of the national innovation system, this paper proposes an analytical framework of “Mission Orientation-Innovation Activities-System Composition”. It systematically reviews the evolutionary development of China’s innovation system, arguing that it has undergone four stages: self-reliance, market-oriented transformation, independent innovation, and innovation-driven development. This evolution demonstrates a shift from improving the system’s composition to enhancing the level of innovation activities. The paper delves into the major situational changes and existing shortcomings facing China’s innovation system. It proposes the theoretical logic for advancing the construction of the national innovation system in the new era: coalescing efforts through the strategic goal of building a scientific and technological powerhouse, strengthen the application-oriented approach to enhance the integration level of innovation activities, and consolidating the foundation for efficacy improvement by perfecting the system composition. In practice, advancing the construction of the national innovation system requires adherence to systems thinking and a problem-oriented approach, using several landmark measures as levers to lead a leap in the overall efficacy of the national innovation system.