The medium- and longterm plan for science and technology and the strategies for independent innovation, 2006-2012

The years from 2006 to 2012 witnessed the start and the improvement of China's implementation of the strategies for independent innovation. Since the reform and opening up, China's science and technology (S&T) policies and system went through a series of adjustment, such as setting things right from the chaos left by "the cultural revolution", implementing comprehensive reform of the system, implementing the strategy of developing the country through science and education, and adjusting the system structure of the national innovation system. Marked by the promulgation and implementation of "The Outline of the National Plan for Medium- and Long-term Scientific and Technological Development (2006-2020)" ("The Outline"), China underwent a major strategic shift, entered the stage of independent innovation and started to establish a national innovation system. This chapter takes the proposal and implementation of The Outline as the main thread, reviews the major events in China from 2006 to 2012 concerning the proposal and implementation of the strategies for independent innovation, including the adjustment of S&T strategies, the formulation of policies, laws and regulations, the introduction of supporting measures, and the gradual improvement of the national S&T plan and innovation system. This chapter also tracks the progress and results of the implementation of The Outline, provides a preliminary evaluation of the possibility of achieving the objectives on time and in a satisfactory manner, and addresses possible future challenges.