Abstract：This paper studies the technological innovation modes and their characteristics in an attempt to put forward several modes adopted by some institutions in today's China. It maintains that technological innovations, considering the different innovation sources and systems, take three main forms-self-reliance innovation, cooperative innovation and transference innovation-which differ from each other in terms of dependence on innovators' capacity, achievement rates and efficiency as well as service systems. Each unit that intends to make technological innovations must select its own technological modes according to its technological power and technology itself. And each country must select its dominating modes in certain periods in light of its technological systems, economic systems, relationship between technological institutions and enterprises and well-established service systems. As far as present-day China is concerned, cooperative innovation inevitably should constitute the main mode.
