During the 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy held in Beijing from Dec 5 to 6, Chinese scientists and experts relayed the nation's insights in science communication, while seeking to strengthen international collaboration to advance global sustainable development.

China's efforts in science popularization have been significant, with a network of science museums, mobile exhibits, and science caravans reaching 140 million people in 2023. The country has seen a substantial increase in the proportion of scientifically literate citizens, from 1.44% in 2001 to 14.14% in 2023, according to a survey result published by the CAST on April 16.

Studies suggest that a country crosses a critical threshold for innovation when 10% of its population attains scientific literacy, indicating a sufficient human resource base for becoming an innovative nation. Therefore, an important milestone was reached in 2020 when this proportion in China reached 10.56%.

Meanwhile, China's rank in the global innovation index has climbed from 34 in 2012 to 11 this year, making it the only middle-income economy among the top 30, according to the Global Innovation Index 2024, which was published in September by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Wang Ting, director-general of the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, introduced China's science popularization policies and practices to domestic and international guests at the 2024 WCSL.

Wang emphasized that one major characteristic of China's science popularization practices is the focus on youth and grassroots. Another characteristic is the promotion of innovation-led development, which stresses the role of science popularization in building an innovative culture, promoting scientists and scientific spirit, and helping the society form an atmosphere that values, loves, learns, and applies science.

“Our goal is to enhance the scientific literacy of the entire population, promote the integrated development of education, science, and technology experts, and implement a strategic arrangement that places equal importance on technological innovation and science popularization, thereby contributing to economic and social development and national prosperity,” he said.

A country dedicated to science literacy

China is so far the only nation with specific legislation for the popularization of science. Based on the Law of the People's Republic of China on Popularization of Science and Technology enacted in 2002, the Chinese State Council issued the National Action Plan for Scientific Literacy (2006–2010–2020) and the Outline of the Nationwide Scientific Literacy Action Plan (2021-2035).

These two 15-year guidances have significantly improved and will continue to enhance the scientific literacy of the Chinese public. In 2022, Chinese central authorities issued “Opinions on Further Strengthening the Popularization of Science and Technology,” aiming to promote the proportion of citizens with science literacy in China to more than 15% by 2025 and 25% by 2035.

This year, the country picked up pace in toughening up its sci-tech popularization capabilities. On Nov 4, the 12th meeting of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee was convened in Beijing, during which the draft revision of The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Popularization of Science and Technology was submitted for deliberation.

The draft highlights the importance of making new technologies and knowledge accessible to various demographics, guiding people to understand and apply scientific achievements. Targeted science education activities in cutting-edge technological fields are also encouraged to promote public understanding and the integration of scientific advancements.

Active engagement with the world

China places great importance on conducting science popularization work centered on the people, continuously improving the supply of science popularization policies, and promoting innovation in science popularization practices.

The 2024 WCSL this year features a special event called "SciComm Dialogue" inviting laureates of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for Science Popularization Karl Kruszelnicki from Australia and Li Xiangyi from China to discuss the significance of enhancing global public scientific literacy and the motivational mechanisms for current science popularization and communication, providing valuable references for domestic and international science popularization endeavors.

During the 2024 WCSL, participants have also engaged in in-depth exchanges of insights, jointly strengthening mechanisms for international exchange and cooperation in science literacy and promoting global sustainable development, thus contributing to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supporting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

China seeks to further advance its international engagement in science popularization through openness, mutual trust, and cooperation.

Source: 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy