China Prioritizes Basic Science as US Retreats in AI Race

Cai Qi, a senior official in China, greeted the nation's top scientific and technological minds at Beidaihe, a coastal resort, marking the beginning of the Communist Party's discreet annual summer gathering. This meeting in Hebei province, located east of Beijing, comes ahead of the party's fifth plenum scheduled for October, which is the final one before a leadership change next year. Cai, who holds the fifth position in the Communist Party and is often seen as President Xi Jinping's "chief of staff," welcomed the scientists and technologists present. The event emphasizes China's commitment to fundamental science, especially in contrast to the United States' reduced focus on such research during the ongoing AI competition. Historically, Beidaihe has served as a platform for top leaders to discuss significant policy directions, and this year's emphasis on science and technology indicates a priority on enhancing fundamental research to strengthen China's position in AI and other advanced sectors. The timing, occurring just months prior to the fifth plenum, implies that science policy will be a crucial topic, likely influencing the nation's long-term innovation strategy.