zhonghongwang.com:

We observed that this year, Zhejiang's "first meeting of the Lunar New Year" made comprehensive arrangements for building a skilled workforce. Could you please tell us what measures Zhejiang will take to attract high-caliber talent and stimulate innovation vitality? Thank you.

Lu Shan:

Thank you for your question. This year, our "first meeting of the Lunar New Year" was themed around seeking solid progress in implementing the "Double-Eight Strategy." We are focused on comprehensively strengthening the development of three key teams: high-caliber officials, high-level innovative talents and entrepreneurs, and highly skilled workers. These efforts provide solid support for pioneers and breakthroughs.

Here, I will focus on the development of high-level innovative talents and elaborate on our measures in three areas:

First, we will attach equal emphasis to attracting and nurturing talent to gather a greater pool of talent. With eagerness and sincerity, Zhejiang consistently seeks talent from home and abroad to come and develop in the province. In 2023, the province attracted 1.25 million university graduates, brought in and fostered 535 state-level leading talents and 523 young talents. At the same time, we emphasize the cultivation of innovative spirits and capabilities, with particular attention given to nurturing outstanding innovative talents and improving the quality of independent talent cultivation. In particular, we actively develop higher education to its full potential and enhance its overall level, advancing the integration of science with education, industry with education, as well as vocational and general education. We aim to cultivate more young talents capable of adapting to the demands of new quality productive forces.

Second, we will establish a good platform to enable talents to achieve greatness. We will accelerate the construction of scientific and technological innovation platforms such as national laboratories, the top 10 provincial laboratories, the top 10 provincial technology innovation centers, 21 national key laboratories, and 119 provincial-level new R&D institutions. We will also support enterprises in establishing technology centers and R&D centers and encourage leading enterprises to lead the establishment of innovation consortia. We will provide a broad stage for talents to display their capabilities and achieve their aspirations, making Zhejiang a place where various talents can realize their value. For example, the Liangzhu Laboratory emphasizes enabling young talents to shoulder major responsibilities and play leading roles, cultivating a group of entrepreneurial and innovative talents with both the spirits of scientists and the qualities of businesspeople.

Third, we will optimize services to retain talent. We will focus on addressing the key concerns of professionals in five aspects: housing, transportation, childcare, registered residency, and income. We will continuously upgrade and improve the four major systems: the financial support system for talent development, the housing guarantee system for talents, the education service system ensuring quality education, and the comprehensive healthcare service system covering people's entire lifespans. This is aimed at alleviating the worries of talents and transforming Zhejiang into a haven where all types of talents can thrive and settle. We will promote the value-added reform of talent services, delegate power to employers, and ease restrictions on talent, ensuring that we refrain from unnecessary interference and remain responsive to their needs. We will establish an efficient system for the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements, enhance the system for intellectual property protection, adopt a tolerant and prudent approach to supervising innovation and entrepreneurship activities, and support the development of new industries, formats, and models. This fosters a virtuous cycle where Zhejiang nurtures talents and talents contribute to the prosperity of Zhejiang.

That's all I want to say. Thank you!