On July 6, the 27th Annual Meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) unveiled the Top 10 Engineering Challenges for 2025 in Beijing. Selected for their innovation potential, strategic relevance, and scientific value, these challenges aim to guide future breakthroughs in core technologies.

1. Integrated Design-Simulation-Manufacturing Algorithms

China seeks to leapfrog legacy industrial software by developing unified CAD-CAE-CAM algorithms rooted in original mathematical innovation. This next-gen software infrastructure could address long-standing limitations in global systems and boost domestic smart manufacturing.

2. Scalable Deep-Sea Mining and Eco-Friendly Technologies

To meet environmental standards for seabed mining, China must improve equipment reliability and develop sediment disturbance control technologies, supporting future resource extraction in international waters.

3. Coordinated Water Resource Management

Efficient integration of surface water, groundwater, reclaimed water, diverted water, and seawater remains a major challenge. New frameworks aim to optimize water use and ecosystem restoration in resource-scarce regions like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Greater Bay Area.

4. Smart and Simplified Network Architecture for 6G

"Intelligent but simple" is a central concept of the future 6G infrastructure. The goal is to develop communication networks that act as proactive enablers of industrial digitalization rather than passive data pipelines.

5. Biomanufacturing of Complex Organs

Advanced biofabrication technologies could revolutionize organ replacement, disease modeling, and drug testing by enabling artificial organ systems and reducing dependency on donor organs.

6. Integrated Mining of Coal and Associated Resources

China plans to establish systems for extracting high-value co-existing resources (e.g., bauxite, uranium) alongside coal. This integrated approach enhances resource efficiency and supports a greener transition.

7. Next-Generation Low-Cost Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Innovations in CCS technologies aim to significantly reduce capture energy and cost. Focus areas include novel materials, compact equipment, and safe long-term storage, vital for decarbonizing heavy industries and power generation.

8. Aircraft Energy and Thermal Management Systems

With the rise of large civil aircraft and hypersonic platforms, China is focusing on onboard energy integration and intelligent thermal management to push aircraft performance and self-reliance in key aerospace components.

9. Biomanufacturing of Food Ingredients

To ensure sustainable food production, China is advancing biotech-based methods to produce raw materials and functional ingredients, replacing resource-intensive traditional approaches.

10. Data-Driven Drug Discovery Using Clinical Multi-Omics

New systems integrating clinical and multi-omics data could dramatically cut drug development time from 20 years to under 7. This would reduce medical costs and dependence on imports, while fueling the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

Source: China Association of Science and Technology