Advertisement
Mystery around China’s new science and tech body a sign of secrecy to come, analysts say
- Communist Party commission to take over planning and policy for sensitive sectors, but debut is hushed and members not yet known
- Analysts say rivalry with US, espionage fears and possible military links could explain Beijing’s reticence about powerful group and science strategy
5-MIN READ5-MIN
41
The founding of China’s new top science and technology planner – a Communist Party body at the core of Beijing’s technology competition with Washington – went quietly.
It was not publicly known that the Central Science and Technology Commission, a new party organ stemming from a sweeping institutional revamp, had been set up or held its first meeting until a brief mention by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on its website in July.
The science and tech policy planner is the final body to be established under a far-reaching overhaul plan targeting a handful of government and party organs announced in March, with a focus on expanding the party’s direct control over policy priorities.
While the other new groups debuted with official media coverage, the commission’s first meeting went unreported. MOST said it held a study session on July 10 to carry through the “spirit” of the commission meeting, but it gave few details beyond that.
It remains a mystery who headed or attended the meeting, and no details have been revealed about when or where it took place or what was discussed.
Select Voice
Select Speed
1x
AI-generated voice