Developing scientific instruments is a strategic imperative for national development.

date 2021-03-25

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At present, the development of scientific instruments has become a strategic priority for countries worldwide. In the United States, in addition to policy measures that encourage major instrument manufacturers to increase their R&D investments, the federal government provides robust support through two national foundations—the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—while the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense also allocate substantial annual funding.

　　Currently, the development of scientific instruments has become a strategic priority for nations worldwide. In the United States, in addition to policy measures encouraging major instrument manufacturers to increase R&D investment, the government provides substantial support through two national foundations—the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—while the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense also allocate significant annual funding. Japan, too, formulated a High-Precision Scientific Instrument Promotion Plan in 2002. The European Union designated “scientific instruments” as its fifth priority within the Sixth Framework Programme (2002–2006). Meanwhile, the UK’s Office of Science and Technology (OST) established an investment mechanism for scientific infrastructure and instrumentation, setting specific funding ratios. Regarding strategic objectives and financial commitments for scientific instrument development, developed countries have each devised their own strategies, clearly defined goals, and allocated dedicated resources, turning this into a deliberate, policy-driven, and goal-oriented governmental endeavor. These nations have elevated the research and development of advanced large-scale scientific instruments and experimental facilities, along with the construction of foundational infrastructure, to a strategic measure aimed at generating world‑class scientific breakthroughs and attracting and nurturing talent. Today, China has incorporated scientific instrument R&D into the National Medium‑ and Long‑Term Plan for Science and Technology Development (2006–2020). The National Development and Reform Commission has included the industrialization of scientific instruments under a special high‑tech industrialization program, while the Ministry of Science and Technology has listed “Research and Development of Scientific Instruments and Equipment” as a key project within the Eleventh Five-Year National Science and Technology Support Program. Prior to this, neither the 973 nor the 863 Programs featured many instrument‑related projects, unlike areas such as automation, mechanical manufacturing, and machine tools, which enjoyed substantial funding. Initially, the Ministry of Science and Technology did not accord sufficient attention to instrumentation, and management remained relatively fragmented. As the state increasingly prioritized scientific instruments, the ministry began vigorously supporting select flagship projects, including large tandem mass spectrometers, secondary ion mass spectrometers, transmission electron microscopes, gratings, and detectors. Mr. Wang Daheng’s Vision for Instrument Science When discussing China’s scientific instrument landscape, one cannot overlook Mr. Wang Daheng. A strategic scientist, he devoted nearly seven decades to science and technology—particularly optics and instrument science—making multifaceted, strategically significant contributions to China’s scientific endeavors. His profound ideas on instrument science are rich in content and far‑reaching in influence. Notable statements include: “Instruments are not machines; they are tools for understanding and transforming the material world, whereas machines can only transform but not comprehend it”; “Measurement technology is a vital component of information technology and serves as its origin”; “Instruments and meters act as ‘multipliers’ in industrial production, ‘vanguard’ in scientific research, ‘combat power’ in military applications, and ‘materialized judges’ in everyday life”; “The instrumentation industry is a bottleneck sector for both national economic growth and scientific‑technological progress”; and “Instruments play a crucial role in fostering spiritual civilization and enhancing the public’s scientific literacy.” Furthermore, Academician Wang Daheng emphasized that, for China’s science and technology to soar like a dragon, information technology must serve as the dragon’s head, while instruments and meters constitute its eyes—essential elements that bring the vision to life. The Current State of China’s Scientific Instrument Industry At present, China boasts a relatively complete range of instrument categories and a reasonably well‑structured layout, having established an industrial system with a solid technological foundation and considerable production scale. In terms of product sophistication, most domestically produced instruments remain at the level of the early to mid‑1990s internationally, with only a small number approaching global standards. While domestic firms can undertake certain turnkey projects involving large‑scale national engineering systems, they still lag behind in competing in high‑tech segments such as automated instrumentation and systems, scientific testing equipment, sensors, and electronic components.

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