At a press briefing in Beijing on Monday, officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology unveiled a bold new approach: harnessing real-world “scenarios” to fast-track the Chinese mainland’s next wave of tech breakthroughs. By pairing emerging solutions with high-profile projects, leaders hope to spark innovation, revise outdated regulations, and steer the economy toward a modern, sustainable future.
Turning Events into Innovation Labs
“Scenarios” refer to live test beds—major events, industrial zones, or public services—where companies can deploy new technologies at scale. Li Chunlin, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, pointed to the ongoing 15th National Games in the Chinese mainland as a prime example. Instead of diesel generators, organizers tapped a “highly reliable grid + new-type storage” system to power the opening ceremony, cutting carbon emissions and showcasing a greener energy blueprint.
Five Tech Frontiers to Watch
Officials highlighted five key domains set to benefit from this scenario-based strategy:
- 5G+ Applications: Building 5G-powered factories and rolling out integrated solutions for computer-vision quality checks and remote equipment control.
- AI+ Empowerment: Embedding artificial intelligence across R&D, production and maintenance to drive smarter manufacturing.
- Robot+ Deployment: Accelerating the use of industrial and humanoid robots in challenging environments, from mines to emergency response.
- Industrial Internet+: Enhancing the “5G + Industrial Internet” framework to boost collaboration across critical industry chains.
- BeiDou+ Integration: Leveraging the satellite navigation system for intelligent transportation and smart logistics solutions.
Clearing the Path for Innovation
Li stressed that unleashing these scenarios requires fundamental reforms to tear down institutional barriers and streamline resource allocation. The move signals a shift toward more agile policy-making, as authorities aim to create a more welcoming environment for startups, tech giants and research institutions alike.
As the Chinese mainland experiments with real-world labs for tech deployment, global observers will be watching to see if this scenario-driven model sparks new breakthroughs that redefine manufacturing, energy and logistics.
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China to use real-world 'scenarios' to help grow new technologies
cgtn.com
