Xi urges making breakthroughs in development of industries of the future

BEIJING -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 24th group study session on the afternoon of Jan 30. The topic was on the forward-looking planning and development of industries of the future. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the study session. Xi emphasized that a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, with frontier technologies constantly emerging, leading and underpinning the rapid rise of industries of the future. It is essential for the country to proceed from the strategic level of advancing the building of a great country and the great cause of national rejuvenation. Based on objective reality, it should leverage comparative advantages, and continuously achieve new breakthroughs in developing industries of the future while adhering to the principles of seeking progress while maintaining stability and a tiered approach.

Yu Xiaohui from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology gave a lecture on this topic, and put forward suggestions on work in this regard. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively to the lecture and engaged in discussions.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that fostering and developing industries of the future is of great significance for gaining the edge in science, technology and industries, seizing the initiative in development, developing new quality productive forces, building a modernized industrial system, improving the people's quality of life, and promoting people's well-rounded development and all-round social progress. In recent years, the Party Central Committee has attached great importance to it and strengthened policy support, bringing about a good momentum in the development of future industries, Xi said.

Xi stressed that the industries of the future are forward-looking, strategic, and disruptive in nature, and require sound planning and overall coordination. It is imperative to focus on the main directions for developing industries of the future during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, conduct scientific analysis on technical routes, and strengthen strategic foresight concerning cutting-edge technologies. It is important to comprehensively consider factors including national strategic needs, technological maturity, and element support conditions, adapt to local conditions and pursue differentiated development. Industrial coordination should be strengthened to ensure that industries of the future, emerging industries, and traditional industries complement and reinforce each other.

Xi noted that the extent of scientific and technological breakthroughs largely determines the pace, breadth and depth of the development of industries of the future. He urged efforts to make the best use of the strength of the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, adopt a strategy whereby industry poses questions and science and technology provide the answers, intensify efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, strengthen the strategic, forward-looking, and systematic layout of basic research, and accelerate the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements.

Xi stressed that the rising of many industries of the future is driven by enterprises' unrelenting pursuit of breakthroughs. He called for efforts to bring into play the principal role of enterprises, facilitate the flow of innovation resources of all types toward enterprises, and vigorously foster first-class scientific and technological enterprises and high-tech enterprises that excel in core technologies and possess strong innovation capacities, thereby leading and driving industries toward cutting-edge and high-end sectors.

Xi pointed out that cultivating industries of the future involves extended development cycles and considerable market risks, and therefore requires strong policy support and corresponding government services. It is therefore imperative to improve fiscal and taxation policies, vigorously develop technology finance and do a good job in talent cultivation, introduction and utilization to foster a robust environment that encourages innovation.

Xi noted that development of industries of the future involves a broad range of fields, and thus requires a sound governance system. It is necessary to secure both development and security, explore sound and effective regulatory approaches, prevent related risks, and ensure that these industries are both fully activated and well regulated. It is also imperative to deepen international cooperation, make active efforts to jointly establish standards and rules with international partners, and promote shared industrial development. Officials at all levels should strengthen the study of knowledge about frontier science and technology and strive to possess knowledge of technology, understand industries, and be adept at decision-making.