Scholars: More Scientists Have Entered the CCP's Decision-Making Echelon in the Past Decade
A study by Hong Kong University scholars reveals that the number of top scientists in the CCP Central Committee has doubled to a record high, reflecting China's strategic shift toward tech-driven decision-making and "new productive forces."
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 11:43
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According to a report in today's Sing Tao Daily, scholars Li Cheng and Zhao Xiuye from the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong recently wrote an article for the Singaporean English-language website "ThinkChina." They noted that while China's technological achievements over the past decade have caught the world's attention, few have noticed the continuous growth in the number of "Academicians of the Two Academies" (the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering) in the CCP Central Committee.
The report states that the CCP Central Committee, as China's core decision-making body, has about 350 members. In the 18th Central Committee, there were 15 academicians, accounting for only 3.5%, including 3 full members and 12 alternate members.
However, by the 20th Central Committee, the number of academicians had doubled to 30, with the proportion rising to 8%, including 7 full members and 23 alternate members, reaching a record high.
The report indicates that it is not entirely new for top Chinese scientists to enter the decision-making echelon. In the early days of the PRC, founding figures of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project like Qian Xuesen, Zhu Guangya, and Deng Jiaxian served as alternate or full members of the Central Committee. Former Fudan University President Xie Xide also served as a Central Committee member in the 1980s and 90s, but these were isolated cases.
But after the reform and opening up, as China's strategic focus gradually shifted toward economic development and technological innovation, the importance of tech backgrounds in selecting political elites has continually increased.
The report notes that among the 30 academicians in the current Central Committee, 20 are from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 10 are from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, covering fields such as computers, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The report quotes Li Cheng, founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World, saying that the increase in the number of academicians in the Central Committee shows that their role is no longer limited to policy consultation, but involves more high-level decision-making. The composition of the academician group in the 20th Central Committee reflects China's pursuit of "new quality productive forces" and "is expected to further enhance China's international influence in tech-dominated geopolitical competition." (Editor: Zhang Shuling) 1150420
The report states that the CCP Central Committee, as China's core decision-making body, has about 350 members. In the 18th Central Committee, there were 15 academicians, accounting for only 3.5%, including 3 full members and 12 alternate members.
However, by the 20th Central Committee, the number of academicians had doubled to 30, with the proportion rising to 8%, including 7 full members and 23 alternate members, reaching a record high.
The report indicates that it is not entirely new for top Chinese scientists to enter the decision-making echelon. In the early days of the PRC, founding figures of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project like Qian Xuesen, Zhu Guangya, and Deng Jiaxian served as alternate or full members of the Central Committee. Former Fudan University President Xie Xide also served as a Central Committee member in the 1980s and 90s, but these were isolated cases.
But after the reform and opening up, as China's strategic focus gradually shifted toward economic development and technological innovation, the importance of tech backgrounds in selecting political elites has continually increased.
The report notes that among the 30 academicians in the current Central Committee, 20 are from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 10 are from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, covering fields such as computers, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The report quotes Li Cheng, founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World, saying that the increase in the number of academicians in the Central Committee shows that their role is no longer limited to policy consultation, but involves more high-level decision-making. The composition of the academician group in the 20th Central Committee reflects China's pursuit of "new quality productive forces" and "is expected to further enhance China's international influence in tech-dominated geopolitical competition." (Editor: Zhang Shuling) 1150420