Abstract: Building an innovation powerhouse necessitates the development of China's indigenous innovation theory. In response, historical materialism offers an integrated theoretical framework. Firstly, the innovation subject forms the foundation of innovation theory. Entrepreneurial innovation is but an expression of the people's innovation. As the modes of production evolve, China's innovation subject undergoes a process of massification and diversification. Secondly, innovation power constitutes the core of innovation theory. Human needs serve as an intrinsic source of innovation and societal development. As individuals form organizations and organizations establish networks, widespread interaction inevitably require various innovation forces to aggregate in conflicts, and innovation resultant force to be stimulated at the source. The excitation mechanism of differences also determines the activation and inhibition of innovation power. Finally, the innovation environment represents the destination of innovation theory. China has consistently prioritized the nurturing of innovation subjects and has continuously improved the supply of a comprehensive innovation system based on the new national system.

Key words: innovation, historical materialism, political economics, autonomous knowledge system