The Ministry of Science and Technology functions as a cabinet-level department under China’s State Council. Originally established as a commission in 1958, it was elevated to ministry status in 1998. The ministry says it is responsible for “formulating guidelines and related policies for science and technology” in China. In 2023, the ministry underwent significant restructuring, with officials stating it would shift away from managing specific research projects to focus on supervisory and guiding roles. The reorganization included the transfer of several key offices, including the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs to the Human Resources ministry and the Biotechnology Development Center to the National Health Commission. The ministry reports an annual budget of $51 billion for 2024 and maintains international research partnerships with various entities, including the European Union and United Nations.