context: A ‘modern industrial system’ is the paramount goal for PRC industrial policy under ‘high-quality development’. This encompasses both strategic emerging industries (those that already function as growth drivers, like new energy vehicles), and future industries (those worth placing bets on, like quantum technology). Scitech has been the focus of several inspection tours by Xi Jinping this year.
Resources should be integrated to accelerate the formation of ‘new-quality forces of production’, Xi Jinping announced on an inspection tour of Heilongjiang from 6-8 September 2023. This is the first time this newly tinkered phrase has been used in official communications, notes an article by the think tank TECHXCOPE.
The article pronounces ‘new-quality forces of production’ are the foundation for strategic emerging industries and future industries. In contrast to the old forces of production, TECHXCOPE says, the new forces of production
- are driven by tech innovation
- have high-efficiency and high-quality
- do not rely on large resource input
- break from the traditional growth model and meet the requirements of high-quality development
The new forces of production, the article says, function in the real economy through industrial upgrading as the key to both
- short-term economic recovery
- long-term development and international competitiveness
According to People’s Daily, Xi further highlighted that the core competitiveness of state-owned enterprises in tech should be strengthened, while the sound development of the private sector should be guided.
Xi urged Harbin Engineering University to carry forward the traditions of its predecessor, the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Military Institute of Engineering. Building a ‘great modern socialist country’ and a strong military requires building a leading nation in education, scitech and talent, Xi said.
According to People’s Daily, Xi was accompanied by
- Cai Qi 蔡奇 PBSC (Politburo Standing Committee) member and CPC (Communist Party of China) Secretariat first secretary
- Li Ganjie 李干杰 Politburo member and CPC Organisation Department head
- He Lifeng 何立峰 Politburo member and vice-premier