Ding Kuiling, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has outlined three key priorities for driving the development of high-quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. The first priority is achieving breakthroughs in core technologies. Ding emphasized the need to focus on three research zones: a focus zone for strategically oriented research, a free exploration zone for frontier-oriented innovation, and an integration zone for market-oriented application.
The second priority is shifting to new growth drivers by leveraging digital and green technologies to upgrade traditional industries and accelerate the emergence of new business models. This will help modernize China’s industrial system and provide momentum for high-quality development.
Driving high-quality productive forces
The third priority is launching the “AI Plus” initiative to ensure the critical “last mile” in transforming future industries. This initiative aims to drive disruptive innovation through breakthroughs in basic research and cross-sector collaboration. “We must continue to promote industrial innovation through scientific and technological innovation, foster new high-quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and channel various types of advanced production factors toward the development of new high-quality productive forces,” said Ding.
China is vigorously promoting the development of new high-quality productive forces by advancing scientific and technological innovation. The country is relentlessly innovating to reshape industries while pioneering the future. Ding concluded confidently, stating that China is making strides in upgrading traditional industries, fostering emerging industries, and strategically planning for future industries through innovation-driven development.