Abstract: The adjustment of the “policy highland” under the current situation of science and technology innovation governance in Northeastern China shows that the scientific and technological innovation in the Northeast has not brought lasting remarkable effects to the revitalization of Northeastern China. Under the background of the comprehensive implementation of the strategy of governing the country according to law， the policy legalization as a means to move from the “policy highland” to the “law plain” is a rational choice for the continuous improvement of the effectiveness of scientific and technological innovation in Northeastern China. The lack of investment in science and technology innovation triggered by “policy highland”， the lack of awareness of legal protection of scientific and technological innovation， and the lack of legal responsibility for scientific and technological decision-making are needed to be resolved. Establishing the minimum investment threshold for regional science and technology innovation funds through legislation and corresponding legal responsibilities， and building a rule of law culture suitable for Northeast science and technology innovation， are ways to construct the “law plain” to promote technological innovation to achieve revitalization in Northeastern China.

Key words: technological innovation, Northeastern revitalization, legalization of policies