Abstract: The national strategic strengths in science and technology serve as a crucial pillar for building a leading science and technology power. In response to the strategic demand for achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in S&T, this study-grounded in Mission-Oriented Innovation theory-systematically examines the composition and operational mechanisms of the national strategic S&T system. The Mission-Oriented innovation system of national strategic strengths in science and technology consists of four core components: innovation actors, innovation resources, innovation infrastructure, and the innovation environment. It is characterized by mission orientation, high strategic significance, state-led governance, systemic integration, and dynamic adaptability. Corresponding to four types of strategic missions—technological catch-up, national defense and security, societal challenges, and frontier exploration—the system manifests in four distinct organizational forms: large-scale collaborative assault, highly centralized, open collaboration, and targeted free exploration. The innovation process unfolds through four core operational mechanisms: strategic mission identification, “chain-leader responsibility” task organization, resource integration, and market-oriented transformation. To enhance the system’s performance, it is essential to strengthen top-level strategic design, optimize task organization models, deepen market-oriented allocation of innovation resources, streamline the transformation of S&T outcomes, and foster an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem. These efforts will bolster the construction of the national strategic strengths in science and technology system and improve the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system by leveraging the institutional strengths of China’s new nationwide system.

Key words: Mission-oriented Innovation; the National Strategic Strengths in Science and Technology; New Nationwide Mobilization System; Scientific and Technological Powerhouse