What can mission-oriented innovation policy learn from China?

Abstract The concept of a mission-oriented innovation policy has been discussed for several years now, with definitions and conceptual understanding gradually emerging. Although focused on grand societal challenges, i.e. on a particular type of problem that has been receiving attention only in the last couple of years, the discussion and the design of mission-oriented innovation policy can still draw on past experiences. This paper reviews selected elements of China’s innovation policy that can help to inform the debate about mission-oriented innovation policy. In particular, this paper analyses policy durability, policy scope, policy coordination, tinkering, and reflexivity as well as policy directionality and demand articulation as key features of China’s innovation policy with a clear link to mission-oriented policy. An important result in this context is the preeminent role of designated zones for policy implementation and experimentation in China. Based thereon, the paper discusses to what degree Chinese instruments might become part of policy mixes in the West.