Abstract:The development of life science for over 150 years can be summarized into three stages:classical genetics, molecular genetics and molecular biology, life omics and systems biology. The contemporary life science is unprecedentedly prosperous, showing several new characteristics:original discoveries emerge in endlessly, promoting massive bottom-level innovations; the convergence of multiple disciplines promotes biological sciences from qualitative description to dynamic, precise and quantitative interpretation; scientific data sharing has become a common rule in the life science community; and the rise of synthetic biology and artificial intelligence (AI) provides a new paradigm for life science research. These characteristics enable the knowledge about life to be greatly enriched and biotechnology to be rapidly iteratively upgraded. At the same period, China's life sciences have made remarkable progress after decades of accumulation, gradually changing the global landscape of life sciences, which has been well demonstrated by the outstanding contribution of Chinese scientists in the fight against the COVID-19. With the profound changes in the political and economic landscape of the world in recent years, China's life sciences face more challenges. Rationalizing the functional positioning and resource allocation of various R&D sectors, and creating a healthy research culture and atmosphere will enable China's life sciences to further consolidate its foundation and become more exceptional, play a pillar role in construction of an innovation country, and give rich returns to human society and economy.