Abstract: This paper makes a historical study of the evolution of the scientific and technological catch-up strategy of new China ,from the two major stages of the socialist construction period in the first 17 years of the People's Republic of China and the construction period of the socialist market economy after the Reform and Opening up. The study shows that the strategy of science and technology catch-up has played a significant role in promoting the development of science and technology in China. On this basis, this paper discusses several important issues related to S&T catch-up strategy, including the goal of catch-up, the role of the government, the relationship between learning and catch-up and innovation, talent training and talent flow, and the limit of catch-up.