China Arab TV:

In 2023, Shandong's domestic invention patents increased by 26.5% compared to the previous year, indicating an accelerating pace of innovation and development in the province. How will Shandong promote industrial innovation and develop new quality productive forces through sci-tech innovation? Thank you.

Song Junji:

Thank you for your attention. Shandong is a major province for sci-tech and innovation. With a large talent pool, solid industrial foundation and strong innovation capabilities, Shandong possesses favorable conditions and a good foundation for developing new quality productive forces.

In terms of investment, provincial-level funding for sci-tech innovation has exceeded 14.5 billion yuan for two consecutive years, leading to a 12.1% increase in R&D investment across the entire province.

In terms of achievements, significant breakthroughs have been made in domestic alternatives such as machines tools, carbon fiber and synthetic rubber. Additionally, the world's first fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear power plant has been put into commercial operation.

In terms of talent, there are over 7,400 national-level leading talents with expertise of strategic importance in the province, and the average annual influx of university graduates has reached 818,000 since 2020, representing a 43% increase compared to 2019.

In terms of industries, last year, economic investment in the "four news," represented by new technologies, new models, new formats and new industries, accounted for over 57% of total investment. The proportion of high-tech industries in the overall industrial output value reached 51.35%, an increase of 3.1 percentage points. The number of small and medium sci-tech enterprises has surpassed 45,000.

Sci-tech innovation is a core element in developing new quality productive forces. Going forward, we will firmly grasp innovation as a key factor and promote the deep integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation. In this regard, there are four key aspects:

First, we will lead through integrated policy planning and guidance.

We are currently researching and formulating documents such as a three-year action plan for cultivating new quality productive forces, which will be issued and implemented in the near future.

Simultaneously, we will focus on the transformation of traditional industries, the cultivation of emerging industries and the layout of future industries. We will promote the integrated development of talent chains, education chains, industry chains and innovation chains, with the aim of concentrating innovation resources in new quality productive forces.

Second, we will leverage the role of enterprises as the main drivers of innovation.

This year, we plan to implement 100 major provincial-level sci-tech projects, of which no less than 90% will be led and undertaken by enterprises.

Additionally, we aim to restructure over 200 provincial key laboratories, with the proportion of work taken on by enterprises reaching approximately 75%. This will truly empower enterprises to take center stage and play a leading role in sci-tech innovation.

Third, we will promote achievements into the market.

We will carry out regular selection and release of "Shandong Excellent Achievements" for the market. Approximately five major innovative achievements will be selected and released each month. We will organize a matchmaking roadshow event every quarter, and select around 10 landmark achievements each year. These efforts aim to facilitate the transition of more promising achievements from the laboratory to the production line.

Fourth, we will create a first-class innovation and industrial ecosystem.

We will deepen the national reform pilot projects in sci-tech rewards, talent classification evaluation and achievement evaluation. This will accelerate the establishment of a talent evaluation system that is guided by innovation value, capabilities and contributions.

We will enhance scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges, promoting the construction of the Shandong branch of the Hong Kong Science Park. This year, we aim to secure 500 technology cooperation projects.

We will further implement the Taishan talent project and leading talent attraction plan. Additionally, we will host the third talent development conference, so that more outstanding individuals can thrive in Shandong. Thank you.