Smart agriculture is an important component of high-quality agricultural development and the overall rural revitalization in China. Research on smart agriculture strategy is significant for developing a medium- and long-term scientific and technological layout and clarifying the development ideas and direction of smart agriculture in China. Against the background of rural revitalization, this study summarizes the macro demand of high-quality agricultural development for smart agricultural science and technologies; it also analyzes the strategic conception, strategic tasks, and development route of China’s smart agriculture development toward 2035. Conclusions show that developing smart agriculture helps address the low quality and efficiency and weak competitiveness of China’s agriculture sector. Furthermore, to achieve the replacements of human power with machines and human brains with computers, and promote the independent technological competitiveness of China’s agricultural sector, an industrial technology system for the smart agriculture that integrates biotechnology, information technology, and intelligent equipment should be established; and smart agriculture should be promoted in a staged manner considering different business entities and industrial needs. Specifically, China should strengthen the top-level design, promote technological research, establish a differentiated subsidy echanism, integrate industry and village, and encourage applied talent training.
Agricultural big data and information infrastructure are important foundations for modern agriculture, prerequisites for smart agriculture, and new elements of agricultural growth in the new era. In this article, we analyze the development status and existing problems of China’s agricultural big data and information infrastructure considering the strategic needs and challenges of smart agriculture development; summarize the relevant policies, action plans, and experiences in China and abroad; propose the strategic objectives of developing agricultural big data and information infrastructure in 2025, 2035, and 2050; and devise the future development technology roadmap. In the future, big data development should be promoted in the entire agricultural industry chain and the construction of the agricultural big data system needs to be standardized by building an integrated data sharing mechanism. Breakthroughs achieved in key common technologies can expand the application of agricultural big data. Agricultural big data industry bases are required for creating application clusters of agricultural big data. An urban–rural integrated information infrastructure needs to be built by coordinating urban and rural resources, and an agricultural cyberspace that features interconnection of everything, human–computer interaction, and sky–space–earth–sea integration is expected to be created. From the policy aspect, China should strengthen the overall planning to improve its rural network infrastructure and the digital transformation of traditional infrastructure, along with promoting the basic research and development of chips, model components, and basic information systems. Moreover, it should focus on core technologies such as agricultural big data acquisition, analysis, and service; strengthen the collaborative innovation of systems and mechanisms to achieve standardization and integrated sharing of agricultural data; and build a high-level talent team to provide basic support for developing smart agriculture in China.
As the integration of information technology and agricultural development accelerates, the agricultural software industry has emerged to support the development of smart agriculture. In this article, we first analyze the development status of and challenges faced by China’s agricultural software industry by analyzing the development strategies of the industry in China and abroad and using literature review and survey data. Subsequently, we propose the strategic goals, major engineering projects, and policy measures for the development of China’s agricultural software industry. China’s agricultural software industry has a large gap with other countries in terms of technology development and promotion, enterprise operation, and user accumulation. The major challenges include difficulty in development, weak innovation capabilities, low return on investment, and insufficient protection of intellectual property rights, restricting the growth of China’s agricultural software industry. China should regard the software development of agricultural technologies as the main line and focus on strengthening the innovative capabilities of its agricultural software industry by 2035. The major engineering projects we proposed involve agricultural enabling software and platform development, precision agriculture management software application promotion, agricultural software industry cluster establishment, and agricultural software enterprise cultivation. Furthermore, China should improve its policy support system, strengthen the overall coordination mechanism, optimize the discipline system, and strengthen talent training for the agricultural software industry.
The lagging informatization and intellectualization of the agricultural product postharvest supply chain is the main factor that results in low circulation efficiency and serious quality loss. Improvement on the postharvest added values of agricultural products necessitates the planning of intelligent logistics for agricultural products in China. In this study, we analyze the demand for intelligent logistics of agricultural products, summarize the development status, and investigate the problems existing in informatization, standards and quality, and professionals. Considering China’s conditions, we propose the development goals and key tasks of the intelligent logistics for agricultural products in China by 2035. The study shows that strengthening policy support, improving the standardization system, and promoting personnel training are the foundation for the intelligent logistics of agricultural product. The continuous innovation and extended application of the new-generation information technology has promoted the transformation and upgrading of traditional agricultural logistics toward intelligent agricultural logistics in China. In the future, an intelligent, integrated, and green supply chain will be the major development direction for intelligent agricultural logistics. This study can provide a basic reference for improving overall operation efficiency and upgrading service quality of the agricultural logistics industry.
Technology and equipment for cold-chain storage and transportation is critical for maintaining the quality and improving the circulation efficiency of fresh agricultural products and strategically important for ensuring food safety and increasing agricultural income. In this article, we analyze the demand for cold-chain storage and transportation technology and equipment in China, summarize the current status, and present the gaps between China and developed countries in this regard. Moreover, we clarify the key technologies, key tasks, and major projects for the development of cold-chain storage and transportation technology and equipment for fresh agricultural products using the Delphi method and field research. The major problems faced by technology and equipment include lack of specialized pre-cooling facilities in places of production, lack of refrigerated transportation equipment, backward quick-freezing technology and equipment, lagging research and development of key technologies, non-standardized construction of refrigeration and cold-storage facilities, and insufficient cold-chain infrastructure. Furthermore, we propose a three-step technical route for the development of the technology and equipment: achieving high efficiency and standardization by 2025, informatization and intelligence by 2035, and intelligence and autonomation by 2050.
The seed industry is a basic and core industry that is strategically important for a nation. Considering the national guidance opinions on fields such as seeds and cultivated land, industrialization of biological breeding, and development of core technologies for germplasm resources, the seed industry has become a driving force for the rapid development of China’s agriculture. In this study, we summarize the current status of the global crop seed industry from the aspects of germplasm resources protection and utilization, biological breeding technology development, seed industry development, etc. Moreover, we analyze the problems of China’s seed industry from an international perspective. To promote the development of the seed industry, China should implement a national germplasm resources strategy to consolidate the foundation of its seed industry; implement a scientific and technological innovation strategy in the seed industry to achieve breakthroughs in original innovation; construct a seed industry system with Chinese characteristics to enhance industrial competitiveness; promote the role of enterprises in technological innovation; and modernize the supervision system to improve industrial advantages.
China’s construction industry has maintained a strong momentum of development these years; however, it still requires improvement in terms of efficiency, quality, safety, and environment protection. China’s construction industry is expected to be transformed and upgraded through digital science and technology innovation, thereby achieving high-quality development. Research methods used in this study include literature review, expert interview, and questionnaire survey. In this article, we first summarize the relationship between digital technology and construction industry transformation and analyze the development status of digital science and technology innovation in the construction industry. Subsequently, we summarize the ecological elements that drive the digital science and technology innovation of the construction industry from the perspectives of government departments, participating organizations, and market environment. Furthermore, we propose strategic paths to drive the high-quality development of the construction industry by means of digital science and technology innovation. This study is expected to provide policy recommendations and an implementation framework for the high-quality development of the industry.
Smart construction integrates new-generation information technology with construction and is important for the highquality development of China’s construction industry. This study expounds the basic concept and importance of smart construction and summarizes four types of key domain-relevant technologies: engineering software for entire industrial chain integration, construction Internet of things for smart construction sites, intelligent construction machinery for man–machine integration, and construction big data for intelligent decision making. Subsequently, we analyze the current status and weaknesses of these technologies in terms of market environment, enterprise deployment, and core resource reserves through questionnaire survey and expert interview. Moreover, we identify the development goals and propose the major tasks, including establishing and improving the standards system; promoting cooperation among industry, universities, research institutes, and application; improving intellectual property protection; and conducting pilot demonstration of typical projects. Furthermore, suggestions are proposed from the perspectives of government, enterprises, and universities.
Construction is a complex human–machine–environment system, and the quality and safety management during construction faces numerous challenges. As the new-generation information technology develops, digital twin now can be used in construction to improve the quality and safety management and promote smart construction in China. Computability and controllability of the whole construction process is expected to be achieved using the digital twin technology; digital management of construction sites can be realized using advanced sensing, computing, and other technologies. In this article, we first investigate the demand for the application of digital twin into the construction quality management and analyze the research status and problems of the application. Subsequently, we propose a next-generation construction quality and safety management system that is composed of product intelligent design for construction quality and safety control, intelligent sensing and analysis of construction quality and safety status, data-driven construction quality and safety control, and construction quality management and dynamic supervision. Furthermore, we propose suggestions for the application of digital twin technology in the construction industry in China from the aspects of management, technology, as well as standards and specifications.
The construction industry is a pillar of the national economy. The complex international competition and the pressure from domestic reforms necessitate improvement on the core competitiveness of Chinese construction enterprises. In this article, we first analyze the development status and challenges of the core competitiveness of Chinese construction enterprises. Subsequently, we summarize the factors that influence the core competitiveness of Chinese construction enterprises using a fishbone diagram and through literature review and expert consultation, including human resource management, scientific and technological innovation, culture and brand building, project management, professional construction, and industrial chain integration. Furthermore, we propose corresponding suggestions and countermeasures from the perspectives of government and enterprise. Specifically, the government should improve the mechanism of scientific and technological innovation, improve relevant standards and policies of green construction, and enhance industry governance. Moreover, construction enterprises should improve the quality of human resource management, promote scientific and technological innovation, create brand soft power, integrate high-quality resources of the industrial chain, and promote core business advantages.
Compliance management is indispensable for the globalization of Chinese construction companies and the sustainable development of their overseas operations. In this article, we introduce the World Bank Group sanctions system for funded projects, and summarize the control measures adopted by developed countries and international organizations against the multinational business operations of large companies. These measures are a technical reference for Chinese construction companies to master international rules and conduct international business. Subsequently, we analyze the noncompliance cases that occurred in overseas operations of Chinese construction companies in the 2009–2020 fiscal year in terms of basic characteristics and consequences. We also present several prominent issues, such as the gradual strengthening of international supervision, the poor business environment of the project host country, and the weak regulation by the home country on the overseas operation of construction companies. Furthermore, we suggest that China should encourage international cooperation, accelerate the establishment of legal systems such as criminal law and administrative supervision incentive mechanisms, integrate advanced technologies to conduct compliance guidance and supervision for construction companies, cultivate talents proficient in foreign-related compliance management, and improve the overseas operation level and compliance management capabilities of Chinese construction companies.
Major public emergencies represented by COVID-19 have a significant impact on the economic and social development of various countries as well as on China’s construction internationalization which is progressing steadily with the Belt and Road construction. In this article, we first summarize representative major public emergencies and the emergency management experiences, and analyze the impact of COVID-19 on Chinese construction enterprises in domestic and international markets. Subsequently, an overseas engineering project of a Chinese construction enterprise is used as a case for analysis. Through interviews with personnel, we analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the pumping station project in Iraq in terms of materials and equipment, work resumption and recruitment, personnel’s physical and mental health, and project performance, and summarize the effectiveness of relevant coping strategies. Furthermore, to better cope with major public emergencies, we suggest that the government and enterprises should improve the coping mechanism for major public emergencies and share emergency management data. They should also clarify the demand for engineering materials and equipment to plan transportation in advance, and pay attention to logistics risks to ensure that projects are delivered on time. Moreover, subsidies for work resumption should be increased and psychological counseling should be conducted to protect the legal rights and physical and mental health of project staff. Meanwhile, project plans should be adjusted as needed, and a risk mitigation mechanism and a long-term coping mechanism should be established to reduce project performance losses.
With the acceleration of the new generation of information technology innovation, the economy and society are showing important new features of digital transformation, and the digital transformation of the emergency management system, which is an important part of the economy and society and the concentrated expression of national governance capabilities, is on the agenda. This article follows the objective laws of technological industry transformation, based on the theoretical paradigm of technical and economic management, tries to portray the characteristics of modern emergency management systems, constructs a technical system and proposes a policy path to promote digital transformation of emergency management systems. Research shows that the current digital transformation technology system and technical capabilities are becoming more and more perfect, and the emergency management system needs digital transformation. It is facing the construction of an emergency management digital transformation technology system covering the three levels of technology, platform and management. It is an important task to promote the balanced development of the physical world and social systems, platform support and management decision-making, technological innovation and integrated applications. To this end, it is recommended that in the process of subsequent emergency management policy design and the formulation of the “14th Five-Year Plan”, it is necessary to strengthen the digital upgrade of emergency management infrastructure, consolidate the foundation of the digital platform for emergency management, and strengthen the integrated application of digital technology in emergency management practices.
The development of smart emergency-response technology for natural disasters and accidents is an important part of public safety; it is also vital for China to improve its national governance and safety level. This study aims to clarify the long-term goals for smart emergency-response technology development by 2035 and provide support for the systematic planning and forward-looking deployment of a smart emergency-response strategy in China. Considering the development needs, this study analyzes the international situation and main development trends of the smart emergency-response technology for disasters and accidents. Subsequently, we analyze the current status and problems of China’s development from the aspects of natural disaster prevention, accident prevention, and emergency platform construction. Considering the development of the new-generation information technology, we propose an overall framework and strategic directions for the development of smart emergency-response technology in China, including important technological development directions, key basic research directions, and major scientific and technological research and development tasks. Furthermore, we propose corresponding suggestions from the aspect of policy and theoretical system research.
Nowadays, there is a strong demand for underground space development in China. Meanwhile, underground space utilization has shown the characteristics of high construction difficulty, long construction period, high cost, and complex social impacts. A systematic and reliable management system for underground space development has not yet been established. Therefore, it is urgent to carry out strategic study on the comprehensive management of underground space development from both theoretical and practical aspects. By analyzing the current situation of underground space development in China, the problems in the comprehensive management of underground space are discussed from the aspects of laws and regulations, high-level design, management system, geological survey, equipment, information resource, intelligent level, and comprehensive benefit. Furthermore, the development strategy and countermeasures for underground space development in China are proposed. Considering long-term strategic objectives and development principles, the future main tasks include the establishment of a comprehensive management system, improvement in management capacity, intelligentization of space management, and reinforcement of emergency response safety management. Specifically, a national unified coordination system needs to be established for underground space comprehensive management; relevant laws and regulations, standards, and regulatory evaluation systems should be improved; technologies and professionals should be encouraged for key equipment development; and urban underground space survey and information management should be promoted.
The space Internet constellation system is an important component of China’s space information infrastructure and has become a focus of international competition in future. However, China is still in the preparatory stage of the space Internet constellation system construction. We started late and are faced with many risks such as a backward space resource position, lack of independent standards, a weak foundation for technological development, limitation in traditional application fields, and uncontrollability of network security; therefore, China’s space Internet constellation system is still far from supporting rapid economic and social development. Facing the opportunities and challenges, we overview the space Internet constellation system development in China and analyze the macro demand for space Internet construction. Subsequently, we analyze the development trend of the system both in China and abroad and propose the development ideas, key tasks, and technical routes of the space Internet constellation system construction in China. To improve the service abilities of China’s space information network and establish a flexible space system, we suggest that China should strengthen top-level planning at the national level in the design and engineering construction stages, formulate satellite Internet standards, intensify efforts to tackle key technologies, promote integrated and innovative applications, and build a network security and protection system.
Basic research inspired by national interest is critical for the promotion of China’s innovation capacity and global competitiveness in science and technology; it is also a major driving force for disruptive technologies. Therefore, the concept and development law of basic research inspired by national interest should be well studied to guide the development of basic research. In this study, we review the connotation and application of the linear model of innovation proposed by Vannevar Bush and the Pasteur’s quadrant model proposed by Donald Stokes. Based on these models, we introduce basicness and useness dimensions along with a time dimension and develop a new three-dimensional dynamic model of basic research. The development of intense lasers fits this new model well and clearly demonstrates the spiral upward interactions among basic research, applied research, and technology development inspired by national interest. On the basis of this new model of basic research development, we emphasize the importance of falsifiability and research integrity, and the decisive role of basic research on the key technologies. Besides, the subjective misguidance of researches inspired by national interest should be avoided.
Considering the urgent needs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic prevention and control, nucleic acid vaccine has attracted great attention in the vaccine research and development (R&D) field owing to its high efficiency and good efficacy. Particularly, the R&D process of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has significantly accelerated, and the mRNA vaccine was approved for the first time to be marketed and used in humans. This article first summarizes the R&D status of nucleic acid vaccines from the aspects of related technical concept, R&D path, and development trend, and identifies the characteristics of nucleic acid vaccines. Subsequently, it analyzes the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the mRNA vaccine research, summarizes the main fields of application of nucleic acid vaccines, and studies the possible technical and safety problems. Furthermore, we suggest that the key technologies of nucleic acid vaccines should be developed by improving the target gene expression, delivery system, immune response, and mRNA stability and storage. Moreover, the safety and efficacy of nucleic acid vaccines should be strictly monitored; stakeholders should con-duct research on mRNA vaccine technologies that have safety risks and potentially disruptive effects on cancer and infectious disease prevention and control; and a forward-looking technological layout and technical transformation should be emphasized.
Hydrogen fuel cell is a key element for conversing hydrogen energy into electric power and has attracted increasing attention from the aspects of basic research and industrial application following the proposal of carbon neutral and carbon peaking. Focusing mainly on the hydrogen fuel cell technology system, we analyze the research progress and development trends of membrane electrode components (such as proton exchange membranes, electrocatalysts, and gas diffusion layers), bipolar plates, system components, and control strategies. Subsequently, we propose the development directions of the hydrogen fuel cell technology system by 2035, following the analysis of the development status of the hydrogen fuel cell technology in China in terms of localization rate, system lifetime, power density, and manufacturing cost. To accelerate the application of hydrogen energy and hydrogen fuel cell technology, we suggest that research on hydrogen production technology should be strengthened to reduce the cost of hydrogen fuel, the technological research and application of key materials and core components should be accelerated, and industrial plans with increased investment should be formulated to establish a complete policy support system.
The natural gas in the South China Sea is characterized by a high CO2 content. The efficient development and precise utilization of CO2-rich natural gas resources in the South China Sea can help tackle climate change and achieve the goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. In this article, we analyze the demand for and summarize the development status of the direct utilization of CO2-rich natural gas in the South China Sea. Subsequently, we focus on several key technologies and their application, including CO2-CH4 dry reforming, integration of CO2-rich natural gas to methanol, liquid fuel production through CO2 hydrogenation, and direct production of fine chemicals. We suggest that research on the CO2-rich natural gas resources in the South China Sea should be strengthened, an engineering platform for the comprehensive utilization of marine CO2-rich natural gas resources should be established, and the CO2-rich natural gas should be integrated with wind, solar, and nuclear energies to promote the sustainable development of the industry. Furthermore, the CO2-rich natural gas industry should be upgraded in the South China Sea, and a strategic alliance among production, education, research, and application should be established.
Offshore wind power is an important direction of global wind power development. Economical and efficient grid connection of large-scale offshore wind power is a core challenge faced by offshore wind power construction in China. This article first summarizes the development status of offshore wind power in China and abroad and the global development trends. Subsequently, it elaborates the technical characteristics and representative applications of two typical scenarios: grid connection of single offshore wind farms and transmission of large-scale offshore wind power clusters. After analyzing the challenges faced by the grid connection and transmission of offshore wind power in China, we propose an overall development strategy and conduct adaptability analysis on the grid connection and transmission schemes under the aforementioned scenarios. To build first-class offshore wind power grid connection and transmission projects that adapt to China’s national conditions and to promote energy transformation, we propose that China should conduct unified planning after verifying its national resource reserves of offshore wind power; strengthen independent innovation to break through the key technologies; improve the supporting mechanism to ensure high quality development of offshore wind power; and promote international industrial cooperation.