AbstractThe history of Chinese interest in the understanding and management of science is traced from the 1930s to the present. Deng Xiaoping himself has taken a lead in recognizing the importance of science and technology (S&T) in meeting national goals.This article outlines the early foreign influences on Chinese thinking about science and technology, China's own contribution, and the relevance of Marxist principles. The article describes some of the universities (40 of them) and institutes which are active in the understanding and management of science and technology, the growth in the number of relevant publications and journals in China, and the many links with the four modernizations.