Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (hereafter referred to as CASTED) is a public institution affiliated to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). In 1982, the National Research Center for Science and Technology for Development (NRCSTD), the predecessor of CASTED, was established, with the autograph written by Mr. Deng Xiaoping. Later, the 17th National Congress proposed the strategic goal of “enhancing China's capacity for independent innovation and making China an innovative country”. To follow the development trend, CASTED was inaugurated in December 2007 with the approval of State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform. In March 2020, Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee officially included CASTED into the China Top Think Tanks pilot program.

1982 – 2002

Research focused on the concept that “science and technology are the primary productive forces and that science and technology promote development”.

We conducted research on the economy-oriented development of S&T, the reform of S&T system, and major issues in economic and social development, and proposed a series of critical recommendations.

2003 – 2012

Research focused on “enhancing China's capacity for independent innovation and making China an innovative country”.

To meet the new requirement of the 17th Party Congress to place independent innovation capacity at the core of the national development strategy, we put more efforts on the strategic, professional and forward-looking value of STI researches. Our research further expanded into the fields of innovation theory, innovation system, technology forecasting, industrial technology innovation, regional innovation system, etc.

2013 to present

Research focused on “the implementation of innovation-driven development strategy”.

Since the 18th National Congress, we have focused on the implementation of innovation-driven development strategy, and conducted research on strategic issues of a holistic, forward-looking and international nature. From the standing and perspective of “the two centennial” goals and the development path transformation, we have studied STI theories with Chinese characteristics, the mechanism of innovation dynamics, the path and pattern of innovation development, the methodology of innovative governance, etc.

For more than 40 years, CASTED has always closely followed China’s STI decisions. Staying ahead at technology strategy and policy research, CASTED has carried out numerous pioneering efforts and provided a large number of effective policy and advisory recommendations, making unique contributions to China’s STI development and acting as an important research base for China’s STI strategy and policy. At the 2016 National Science, Technology and Innovation Conference, the Central Committee of the Party put forward the ambitious goal of building China into a technology powerhouse by 2050. To this end, CASTED will continue to build on our tradition and forge ahead, striving to serve as a professional and high-end think tank with advanced governance, distinctive style and international influence that can effectively support China in the macro-level decision-making and management of STI.