Innovation a solid foundation for competitiveness

Robot monk Xian'er is on display during the 2015 World Robot Conference in Beijing, China, 23 November 2015. [Photo/IC]

We will build up the capability of scientific and technological innovation across the board to lay a solid foundation for our country's core competitiveness. We should closely follow frontier trends in science and technology, and make early and visionary planning for research and application in focal areas in light of the needs of our economy and society. National scientific and technological programs and projects and key infrastructure must be implemented and built to support innovations in science and technology. We must strengthen basic research and original innovation, give full play to the central role of scientific research institutes and universities, and develop long-term and stable supporting mechanisms for researchers engaged in these areas to delve deep into their areas of endeavor. It is by no means easy for them to work quietly and thanklessly for long years. Yet their efforts will be adequately rewarded once the breakthrough comes. To encourage social input in innovation, a mechanism needs to be put in place to encourage companies to play a leading role based on market rules. We should also encourage greater openness in scientific and technological innovation by enhancing international cooperation and leveraging the internet and other new platforms and models to develop synergy among industries, universities and research institutes. We should pool and upgrade factors of innovation and raise the efficiency of commercialization of innovation and research outcomes.

We will deepen institutional reform for scientific and technological development and fully motivate professionals working in these fields. Talents hold the key to innovation. We must give full respect to scientists, engineers and technicians, guarantee their rights and interests, and tap their potential to the full. The government must further streamline science and technology administration, delegate powers and provide better services. A checklist-based management approach should be taken to strengthen and simplify rules, whereby greater autonomy will be given to institutes and universities in their research activities, and greater say to leading professionals of innovation in allocating research personnel, funding and resources. The government will vigorously implement policies regarding the usage of research outcomes, distribution of research yields, equity incentives, mobility of talents and permission for researchers to take part-time roles and be remunerated for that. All these will help to duly recognize and reward innovators, thus providing long-term motivation for scientific and technological research and innovation.

We will encourage mass entrepreneurship, and bring out the society's potential for innovation. Our people are makers of history and also the fundamental driving force for innovation. We have over 170 million people with higher education or professional skills, who are endowed with great potential for innovation and form the biggest treasure house for our country's development. We must enable all talents to apply their potential, pool their talents and strength, and raise the efficiency of innovation. We should help professionals to make new innovations and the common people to explore their creativity. We should both support domestically educated talents to scale the heights of their professions, and encourage overseas talents and foreign professionals to pursue start-ups and innovation in China. The Chinese government welcomes talents with an open mind and open arms. We will provide greater space and broader platforms for all innovators to fulfill their potential.

We will comprehensively improve our supply capacity for innovation and facilitate the application and integration of scientific achievements in all sectors and fields to speed up the shift to new growth drivers, which are derived both from the emerging industries and the upgrading of traditional sectors. Driven by scientific innovations, the emerging industries in China are thriving, spearheaded by new forms of business, like the digital economy, sharing economy and platform economy. Proper regulation must be exercised to ensure healthy development of these new sectors. Meanwhile, the new technologies, new forms of business and new models must be integrated into the first, second and tertiary industries at a faster pace, to infuse traditional industries with new vitality.

We need to introduce extensive policy incentives to encourage innovation. Such measures as additional deduction of R&D spending in taxable income and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets should be better implemented. Greater support should be given to companies in setting up collaborative innovation platforms with universities, research institutes and makers. We should popularize the innovation approach based on core-group innovation enabled by wider circles of collaboration. We need to strive for parallel progress of innovation at the source, commercialization of R&D results and market development, and aim to develop more new, high-quality products that boost the competitiveness of our industries, meet the diverse consumer demand and help tackle thorny issues such as in medical care and environmental protection, with a view to raising the quality of Chinese manufacturing and influence of products "Created in China".

We need to enhance protection of intellectual property rights and foster an innovation-friendly environment. Protecting intellectual property is protecting and incentivizing innovation. We will pilot integrated management of IPR, establish a system for IPR creation, protection and application, and crack down on IPR infringement and counterfeiting to safeguard the legal rights and interests of innovators and turn more intellectual property into real productivity. We need to foster a social environment that embraces innovation and excellence, and respects hard work, knowledge, talent and creativity. We should enable each and every one to innovate wherever possible, and celebrate the spirit of innovation together with entrepreneurship and workmanship to generate strong impetus for innovative development.

Friends,

As science and technology change the world, innovation shapes the future. Let us rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, cherish the honor the country has conferred, conscientiously fulfill our mission and strive for greater achievements. Attaining better and faster progress of our scientific and technological endeavors would be the best way for you to greet the opening of the 19th CPC National Congress. By joining hands we will make fresh and greater contribution to the realization of the "two centenary goals" and the Chinese dream of the great national renewal and to the building of a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and modern socialist country.