How the guest list for Beijing’s summer retreat reveals its tech priorities

On Aug 10, 2026

China’s central government has invited dozens of scientific, technological and academic experts to its annual summer retreat, highlighting how the country is focusing on innovation and breaking through “chokepoints” amid fierce competition with the US.

According to state news agency Xinhua, the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council, China’s cabinet, invited 60 experts to the seaside resort of Beidaihe from August 1 to 7.

The list of invitees – who represented fields including basic research, strategic frontier technologies, critical core technologies, philosophy and the social sciences – offers a glimpse into Beijing’s priorities in the opening year of the current five-year plan.

While Xinhua did not publish the full guest list, it named 15 participants.

They covered defence engineering, semiconductors, deep-sea equipment, artificial intelligence, particle astrophysics, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, the digital economy and more.

The selection suggests that Beijing is seeking to combine long-term basic research with efforts to address immediate technological and developmental needs. “Self-reliance and strength in science and technology” has been designated as a major objective in China’s 15th five-year plan, which runs through 2030.

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