Jinan Times APP: 

In 2023, what significant progress did central SOEs make in advancing scientific and technological innovation, especially in building capabilities for developing original technology and national innovation platforms? In 2024, how will we guide enterprises to play a leading role in technological innovation and drive the building of a modern industrial system through scientific and technological innovation? Thanks.

Yuan Ye:

Good questions. As I just introduced, in the past two years, central SOEs have continued to increase investment in research and development, which has exceeded 1 trillion yuan for two consecutive years. We continue to optimize assessment indicators and encourage enterprises to increase investment in research and development. In the assessment of corporate profits, the investment in research and development is also added back to profits to encourage enterprises to strengthen investment in scientific and technological innovation. Mr. Zhuang Shuxin will give you a detailed answer.

Zhuang Shuxin:

Thank you for your attention regarding the sci-tech innovation of central SOEs. Sci-tech innovation is the country’s fundamental interest and the motive force for the development of enterprises. In 2023, the SASAC and central SOEs actively implemented the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs, vigorously promoting sci-tech innovation with a strong sense of urgency and firm measures and further advancing the innovation efficacy.

First, central SOEs’ principal role in sci-tech innovation has been strengthened. Central SOEs have been organized to undertake a number of major national sci-tech tasks and key projects in technological innovation. They were deeply involved in the construction of a system of national laboratories and completed the rearrangement of major national laboratories in fields such as energy, engineering, and medicine. They made efforts to establish a number of national technological innovation centers and actively participated in the construction of international sci-tech innovation centers and regional innovation centers.

Second, the construction of innovation systems continued to progress. We have accelerated the breakthrough of key and core technologies, advanced the planning and construction of original technologies incubators, and implemented 11 specialized action plans with one aimed at strengthening target-oriented basic research. As Mr. Yuan mentioned, central SOEs’ investment in research and development exceeded one trillion yuan for two consecutive years, and 29 individuals and 20 teams from central SOEs have been honored with the National Engineer Awards. A group of academicians and experts from central SOEs have entered the pool of national sci-tech experts.

Third, high-quality innovative achievements emerged quickly. The demonstration project of fourth-generation nuclear power technology for fast reactors has been completed and put into operation. High-temperature gas-cooled reactors have been commercialized, the Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 spaceships were successfully launched, the C919 passenger aircraft had its debut commercial flight, and the 6G network architecture set a world record for long-distance transmission. Direct-drive offshore wind turbines have reached a world-leading level. Significant breakthroughs have been made in key materials, basic components, and foundational software. Central SOEs have led the formulation of a number of international, national, and industry standards.

In 2024, we will focus on strengthening enterprises’ principle role in sci-tech innovation, fully leverage central SOEs' role to boost China's strength in strategic science and technology, and prioritize the four key areas of work as follows.

First is to accelerate technological breakthroughs to foster the resilience of industrial and supply chains. We will promote the deep integration of enterprises into the national innovation system, actively undertaking major national sci-tech tasks. Focusing on key industrial chains in the manufacturing sector, key and core technological research will be carried out, and an updated version of the innovation alliance of central SOEs will be fostered, promoting collaboration among enterprises, universities, and research institutes and connectivity among large, medium, and small-sized enterprises. Utilizing the advantages of SOEs in application scenarios, we will drive the transformation and application of technological achievements.

Second is to enhance the leading role of original innovation and improve the industrial innovation system. We will encourage central SOEs to summarize major scientific subjects from economic, social, and industrial development needs and strengthen applied fundamental research, generating a batch of original achievements in cutting-edge fields. We will encourage central SOEs to steadily increase the research and development funding and advance the efficiency of sci-tech output, fueling development with higher technological contribution.

Third is to fortify the driving force of innovation and accelerate the shaping of new productivity. Highlighting strategic emerging and future industries, we will progress central SOEs with consistent strategic assessments, technological foresight, and benchmarking analysis, strengthening the planning to develop cutting-edge technologies, stepping up to foster innovative SOEs, and relying on technological innovation to open up new fields and channels and foster new driving forces and advantages for development.

Fourth is to create an innovative ecosystem to boost innovation vitality and power. We will guide central SOEs to take advantage of various national sci-tech policies; issue more policies to empower enterprises, deregulate, ease burdens, and reinforce positive incentives; implement in-depth digital transformation initiatives; and enhance digital and intelligent technologies to empower new industrialization. We will vigorously encourage dedication to scientific advancement and entrepreneurship and improve the sustained ability for innovation and value creation. Thank you.