Polyimide is a strategically important functional material for extreme-environment applications, playing an irreplaceable role in key fields such as aviation, aerospace, and semiconductors. In recent years, the field of polyimide materials in China has made significant progress, highlighting its supportive and leading significance in the high-end industrial field. However, high-end polyimide products still rely on imports, posing risks to the security of the industrial chain. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to achieve industrial self-reliance in the polyimide material industry. Considering the urgency of strategic demand, representativeness of industrial scale, and necessity of independent supply assurance, this study focuses on four typical polyimide materials in applications: matrix resins for composites, molding and thermoplastic resins, films, as well as photosensitive materials. Moreover, the study reviews the current development status of polyimide both in China and abroad, and identifies the major challenges currently faced. In response to the prominent structural contradictions and the challenge of being large yet not strong, the study clarifies the common issues that urgently require resolution in the polyimide industry from three aspects: primary materials, high-end products, and key equipment. Furthermore, the study analyzes the development trends and proposes strategic recommendations for achieving industrial self-reliance, aiming to promote the high-quality development of the polyimide material field in China.