Innovation is the soul of a nation’s advancement, as well as the continuing driving force for national prosperity.

China’s first domestically built large passenger jet C919, with international standards, takes off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, May 5, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]

In 2017, China’s expenditure in research and development was estimated to reach 1.76 trillion yuan ($277 billion), increasing by 70.9 percent from 2012.

The Long March-2F rocket, carrying the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, blasts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 7:30 am on Oct 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Meanwhile, the contribution rate of science and technology rose from 52.2 percent in 2012 to 57.5 percent in 2017, and its rank in the national innovation capability moved up from 20th place in 2012 to No 17.

Cloned monkeys Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua receive care in the incubator at the non-human-primate research facility of the Institute of Neuroscience under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jan 22, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the past five years, with innovation capability growing fast, the country’s main innovation indexes entered the top level in the global arena. A historical, integral and structural change has been made through years of efforts.

Alibaba Cloud display is seen at the annual Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, Feb 26, 2018.[Photo/Xinhua]