Xi Jinping’s discourse on science, technology and innovation: an analysis of ideologies and theoretical contexts

Abstract

This paper provides a critical discourse analysis of core elements of Xi Jinping’s views on science, technology and innovation. The theoretical framework focuses on the political ideologies shaping Xi’s approaches, and relates these to governance models for scientific research and innovation. The paper traces Xi Jinping’s grounding in Marxist ideology as revealed in his promotion of the concept of new quality productive forces. Moreover, it identifies a scientistic approach that underpins Xi’s discursive embrace of a linear model of innovation and compares this to emerging eco-innovation models. Finally, it identifies how patriotism shapes Xi’s emphasis on self-reliance and self-strengthening for high-tech innovation in China. A key contribution of the paper is to offer a new theoretical interpretation of key ideologies and theories that have shaped China’s governance of science, technology and innovation in more than two decades.