A forum advocating innovation in economic construction was held in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) in Fujian province on Dec 16.

More than 400 entrepreneurs and scientists from both home and abroad discussed the trends of the global economy and how the Chinese economy could enhance innovation in various sectors.

Lu Yongxiang, Former President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivers a speech at the Pingtan Innovation Forum for Entrepreneurs and Scientists, in Pingtan, Fujian province, Dec 16. Lu is also the former Vice-chairman of the National People's Congress and chairman of the China Industry-University-Research Institute Collaboration Association. [Photo by Peng Juan/China Daily]

Applying innovation to national development strategies is a request of the 18th CPC National Congress. Entrepreneurs and scientists are the two pivotal groups leading the innovation drive and are shouldering a bigger mission in this new era, according to Lu Yongxiang, Former President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Central authorities have attached more importance to Fujian and Pingtan this year. In July, President Xi Jinping wrote a letter to Fujian’s entrepreneurs encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. In November, he inspected Pingtan and other places in Fujian and set the bar higher. In addition, the State Council recently included Fujian in the second batch of the country’s free trade zone list.

All those big moves have shown that Fujian and Pingtan are facing golden opportunities where entrepreneurs, scientists and professionals from various fields are swarming in, said Lu.

Tian Lipu, former director of the State Intellectual Property Office, pointed out a few shortcomings in China’s scientific development and innovation drive, saying that the country still lacked elite professionals in the technology field, independent innovation spirits and a good cultural atmosphere.

But no doubt China’s innovation and intellectual properties will make more progress and amaze the entire world, he added.

Chng Ken Wei, a Shanghai-based director of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, explained how the Singaporean government has opened up its data to the public and built up a cooperation-oriented state with entrepreneurs and citizens. He also expressed his wish that Singapore and Fujian could deepen cooperation in technology innovation, and more Singaporean enterprises would find business opportunities in Pingtan.

The forum is co-organized by the China Industry-University Research Institute Collaboration Association, FFEE, China Enterprise Directors Association, Administrative Committee of PCPZ and Fujian Daily Newspaper Group.