The heavy-duty gas turbine industry is key to national energy security. Guided by major national projects and driven by the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, strategic research on heavy-duty gas turbines are urgently required in China. In this study, we summarize the international experience in the development of heavy-duty gas turbine technology, products, and industries, and analyze the prominent problems that restrained the high-quality development of the industry in China considering its research progress. The technical development directions of heavy-duty gas turbines include advanced materials and intelligent manufacturing; flexible, low-pollution fuel consumption; high-efficiency aerodynamics and advanced cooling; intelligent measurement, control, operation, and maintenance of systems; and new high-efficiency power generation systems. Furthermore, focusing on the development goals by 2050, key measures for the development and reform of the gas turbine industry were proposed from the aspects of policies and regulations, operating mechanisms, industry systems, and enterprise reforms, thereby providing support for the country to formulate medium- and long-term development plans for its energy and power sectors.