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Material for the press conference of the State Council Information Office
Implement the Innovation-driven Development Strategy towards Full Integration of Science and Technology into Economy October 11, 2013 Ministry of Science and Technology
The CPC at its 18th National Congress put forward the innovation-driven development strategy and emphasized that sci-tech innovation is a strategic pillar in improving China’s productive forces and overall national strength and must be placed at the core position in China’s overall development plan. On September 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy is decisive for the future and the fate of the Chinese nation. This urgently requires that the scientific community, the industrial circle and the whole society fully recognize the critical role of sci-tech innovation, keep up with the major trend of global scientific revolution and industrial reform and effectively implement the innovation-driven development strategy. I. Accelerate sci-tech innovation 1. Science and technology is felt in everyday life. The ultimate goal of sci-tech development is to serve the needs of economic and social development and help people live a beautiful life. Full scope has been given to the spillover effect of high technologies, with their achievements widely applied in all aspects of the society. On June 20, the astronauts in the Shenzhou 10 spacecraft gave a lecture to 60 million teenagers nationwide from the outer space. Chinese and EU college students plotted the moon’s surface map using the data from the Chang’e Lunar Exploration Program. On August 9 this year, Chinese scientists rode the Jiaolong submersible to observe and collect samples of undersea biological resources. China’s latest Tianhe-2 supercomputer ranks the first in peak speed in the world. It has been used in diverse fields including engineering design, simulation analysis, weather forecast, climate modeling and marine environmental research and has started to provide supercomputing services for a number of business users. The thorough implementation of the Good Harvest Program has increased the grain output by 14.2 million tons in recent years. Systematic deployments have been made for the sci-tech innovation project for agriculture, forestry, animal and plant breeding, and sci-tech innovation in circular agriculture has been strengthened. With the launch of the R&D Demonstration Project on Bohai-rim's Breadbasket, core areas of project demonstration and demonstration zones have been built and more regions have seen benefits. This Project will substantially increase the yield and efficiency of low- and medium-yield farmland. Science and technology is also providing greater support for public health, resources and environment, disaster prevention and reduction as well as public security to bring more benefits to the people. In accordance with the Action Plan of the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, we will strengthen research on the forming, origin, migration and monitoring of the dust-haze, thus providing scientific support for dealing with the pollution. Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology jointly launched the “Capital Blue Sky Action” with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Beijing municipal government. 2. Promote economic transformation through science and technology. Full scope has been given to the leading role of major projects, especially in acceleration of technology commercialization and industrialization. The application and industrialization of major sci-tech achievements have been accelerated, as has been proved by the nearly 40000 patents applied in major civilian projects. The Mobile Broadband Communication Project has been launched to build a complete TD-SCDMA industry chain which has now over 100 million users, and the TD-LTE-Advanced has become an international standard. Based on the present situations and looking forward, deployments have been strengthened in key fields of emerging industries. In response to an aging society and the needs for sustainable development, efforts have been stepped up to make breakthroughs in medical equipment, service robots, waste recycling, and clean energy and accelerate the development of emerging industries. Technological innovation has strongly supported the optimization and upgrade of traditional industries. Science and technology play an increasingly important role in economic development. Technological innovations featured particularly importantly in major engineering projects such as the Three Gorges Project, high-speed rail, and electricity transmission from western to eastern China, where China has become one of the leading countries. The contribution of scientific and technological progress to economic development has increased from 39% in 2001 to 51.7%. Through a series of innovation demonstration projects including “1,000 Vehicles-10 Cities” new energy vehicle project, “10,000 LED Lights-10 Cities” LED project, and “Golden Sun” photovoltaic project, technology commercialization in related fields has been accelerated. Innovation demonstration zones and high-tech parks have become the new pillar of regional innovation. The national high-tech parks need to focus on “high” and “new” technologies, and play an important role in driving regional economic development. In 2012, the total number of national high-tech parks reached 105, of which the combined industrial added value accounted for 14.5% of the country’s total. The R&D expenditure and technology trade volume exceeded 1/3 of the national total, and their sales revenue of new products was also more than 1/3 of the total income of hi-tech parks. The total number of patents obtained by these zones accounted for 50% of the national total, while their energy consumption per unit output was only 50% of the national average, showing excellent sustainability, growth and spillover effect. The Ministry of Science and Technology has given support for the building of Zhongguancun, Donghu and Shanghai Zhangjiang as national innovation demonstration zones. In 2012, the total income of Zhongguancun Science Park reached RMB2.5 trillion, contributing up to 25% of Beijing’s economic growth. The income of Donghu demonstration zone exceeded RMB 500 billion in 2012, with an annual growth of 30%, while the enterprises in Zhangjiang achieved a total income of RMB 1.88 trillion, with added value over RMB 330 billion and 2/3 of effective inventions in Shanghai. Technology-based SMEs are not only mushrooming but also becoming an important force. Various measures including support in general beneficial treatment of enterprises’ R&D spending and accelerated depreciation of research equipments have been taken to create a good environment for the growth of innovative enterprises. At present, technology-based SMEs have become a pioneer in institutional innovation, technology transfer and employment. Among them, a good number of “small giants” have emerged and grown into large enterprises with international competitiveness. There are now over 47,000 such SMEs in Tianjin, accounting for 20% of all enterprises and creating more than 30% of the industrial revenue of the city, among which 2,200 achieved a revenue over RMB100 million. Since the implementation of the “small tech-giants” project in Shanghai, there have emerged 248 tech giants and 766 tech-giant candidates in the city, including 37 going public. 3. Drive reforms through science, technology and innovation. In theory, technological innovation improves productivity and stimulates reforms in production relations and superstructure. In practice, mobile phones gradually replaced fixed telephones and promoted the reforms of the telecommunication system, WeChat exerted impact over SMS and drove forward a transformation of mobile communication operators, on-line shopping accelerated changes in logistics and retail industry, Alipay and Balance Keeper triggered reflection on the reforms of the commercial banking system, and renewable energy development forced reforms of the national grid system. It has become clear that progress in technological innovation, commercial models and emerging markets will also certainly accelerate the reforms of the economic system. After the convening of the national conference on sci-tech innovation and the release of the Document No. 6 of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council set up a leadership group for the reforms of the science and technology system and the construction of the national innovation system. The group, with Vice Premier Liu Yandong as the head, is comprised of members from 26 departments and institutions and responsible for the top-layer design and organization of coordinated reforms and development of the science and technology system. The group has set forth 62 tasks, 242 reformative measures and 20 prioritized tasks. At present, a number of documents on the reforms have already come out. In line with the spirit of the national conference and sci-tech innovation, an open and transparent cross-department and cross-region information management platform and budget management system has been established, subject to the scrutiny and supervision of the public. A national sci-tech innovation reporting and investigation system has been established to promote the continuous accumulation, complete storage and open sharing of national sci-tech resources. Efforts have also been made to reform the incentive system, bringing about an optimized structure and reduced amount of payment. Efforts have been continued to improve the management systems of sci-tech research institutes so as to accelerate the category-based reforms of public institutions. 4. Greater importance is attached to basic research and frontier research. China’s expenditure on basic research increased from RMB 22.08 billion in 2008 to RMB 49.88 billion in 2012, up 22.6% year on year. The number of SCI papers published by Chinese authors increased from 117,000 in 2008 to 168,000 in 2011, ranking the second in the world. Basic research findings including neutrino oscillation's third mixing angle, quantum anomalous Hall Effect and Higgs particle have attracted world attention. In addition, China has also made major breakthroughs in manned spaceflight, satellite navigation, deep-water manned submersibles, deep-earth drilling and supercomputers. HR development has been strengthened. In accordance with the national medium and long-term plan for HR development, an innovative talent development plan has been implemented to strengthen the development of sci-tech talent. On the basis of the national science and technology plan, measures have been taken to encourage young scientists to undertake major research tasks. The managed by The National Natural Science Foundation of China will further implement the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, and the 973 Program plans to step up its efforts in producing young talents in the field of science and technology. Translation of research findings has been promoted. The construction of the science and technology intermediary service system has been speeded up to commercialize research findings. Intensive efforts have been made to promote collaborative innovation and promote the close linkage among basic research, applied research and achievement transformation and the effective interaction among all participants. The amendment of the Law on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements has been accelerated. In recent years, China’s gross expenditure on R&D saw an annual growth of over 20% and topped RMB1 trillion in 2012, with 74% from the business sectors. By 2012, China’s R&D personnel reached 3.2 million, ranking the first in the world. The number of Chinese academic papers indexed by SCI saw rapid growth, having ranked the second for four consecutive years. China’s invention patents granted reached 217,000, ranking the third in the world. The total contract value of technical transactions grew at an average of 20% per year and reached RMB640 billion. The total output value of China’s high-tech industry grew rapidly to RMB10 trillion. Through years of accumulation, China has gradually evolved from a follower to an equal, winning a leading position in a number of fields of research. China has become an influential country with strong capacity in science and technology innovation. In spite of remarkable achievements, we are soberly aware that China remains weak in its technological innovation capacity, the efficiency of commercialization is yet to be improved, and its talent development and incentive mechanism also need to be improved. Realization of “China Dream” and upgrading of China’s economic structure called for greater contribution from science and technology development. II. Implement the innovation-driven development strategy The science and technology community should follow up with innovation-driven development strategy, reform the science and technology system, develop the national innovation system, improve the country’s innovation capabilities, address key issues hindering the transformation of economic growth pattern and economic restructuring, promote the integration of science with economy, and underpin a moderately prosperous society. Priorities will be given to the following aspects: 1. Implementation of major sci-tech projects to foster emerging industries Efforts will be made to strengthen collaboration among industries, universities and research institutes to accelerate the formation of a series of major products with proprietary intellectual property and achieve breakthroughs in fields where China holds advantages. Efforts will also be continued to improve policies for industrialization of research findings from major sci-tech projects, innovate business models and foster new growth poles. 2. Make breakthroughs in key technologies to restructure China’s economy To upgrade traditional industries, efforts will be intensified to make breakthroughs in generic technologies, achievement transformation and industrialization, and restructuring of the service industry. Great efforts will be made to develop advanced manufacturing, increase the technology contribution to the service industry, support the development of industrial design and R&D consultancy, and foster new forms of services. Breakthroughs in key technologies will always be highlighted to serve the country’s overall strategy of energy and industrial restructure. 3. Step up efforts in generating benefits to people through science and technology Progress in agricultural science and technology will serve the development of modern agriculture and urbanization. Breakthroughs will be made to address bottleneck issues which constrain sustainable development. Mature technological systems and governance models will be applied to address major environmental issues. Efforts shall also be made for breakthrough and industrialization of new energy and electric vehicles. 4. Strengthen technology demonstration and industrialization to underpin industrial restructuring Measures will be taken to accelerate the industrial application of major innovative achievements, foster markets and form a cluster of major products and technology systems. The technological system for energy conservation and emissions reduction will be improved, with strengthened efforts in the R&D, industrialization and application of key generic technologies. Accelerating the strategic improvement of national high-tech industrial development zones will be conducive to building innovative industrial clusters and the national science and technology service system. Relevant policies and measures will also be implemented to support SMEs. 5. Strengthen basic research to sustain sci-tech innovation Steady support will be given to basic research, with emphasis on knowledge innovation and frontier research, optimized discipline structure, greater support for interdisciplinary collaboration, and better planning for marine science, space science, quantum communication, synthetic biology and neutrino experiments. III. Reform science and technology system to inject vigor to innovation In line with the spirits of the National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Guidelines on Deepening Reform of the Scientific and Technological System and Accelerating Development of a National Innovation System issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we will deepen the reforms of the science and technology system, solve deep-rooted problems in the development of science and technology, and strive to achieve practical and tangible improvements. 1. Adhere to the leading role of enterprises in collaborative innovation The top-level planning will be strengthened to improve the collaboration of sci-tech innovation and the overall efficiency of the innovation system. Priority will be given to implement national technological innovation projects, improve related policies and measures, and encourage enterprises to play a leading role in technological innovation. Resources will be facilitated to encourage and empower enterprises in innovation. 2. Improve the science and technology administration We will transform government administration, strengthen the effective coordination and allocation of sci-tech resources, and improve sci-tech services for the public. We will strengthen the reforms of sci-tech plans and budget management, improve the utilization efficiency of sci-tech funds, and resolutely rectify and punish any violations. We will also establish the national sci-tech reporting system, innovation investigation system and unified sci-tech information management system, and promote the sharing of sci-tech innovation resources. 3. Develop innovation systems in various regions We will focus on major issues hindering regional socio-economic progress, leverage the leading role of local government and the directing role of competent government departments, and help eastern, central and western regions to explore distinctive innovation mechanisms based on their own resources, industrial structure and development level. We will encourage some provinces and municipalities to take the lead in achieving innovation-driven development, improve the overall innovation capacity, and better serve local economic growth. 4. Improve the policy environment for science and technology We will formulate and issue supporting policies for the reforms of the science and technology system. We will strengthen the creation, utilization, protection and management of intellectual property rights. We will improve the mechanism for human resources development, introduction and mobility and stimulate the initiative of sci-tech personnel. I sincerely thank friends from the media for your concern and support over China’s scientific and technological development. |