Abstract: The reform and openness of China’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) system is an integral part of China’s overall reform and openness process. The depth and broadness of China’s STI system reform is no less than any other field in China’s overall reform and openness process. Today, when STI has become a major driver of China’s new economic transition and a commanding height of national competitiveness, it is timely to review China’s STI system reform process and reflect on some major theoretical issues encountered in the reform process.