The Chinese mainland is accelerating its journey towards becoming a leading innovative nation in 2024. With impressive double-digit growth in the production of new energy vehicles, integrated circuits, and service robots, the momentum behind the mainland's innovation economy continues to build. During a visit to Hefei City in Anhui Province in October, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized, \"science and technology should be at the forefront in advancing Chinese modernization.\"
A series of major technological breakthroughs have marked this year, including the unveiling of the Yongzhou tunnel boring machine, the connection to the grid of the world's first offshore wind farm with ultra-large, single-unit capacity, and the delivery of the fifth-generation large liquefied natural gas carrier Lv Neng Ying.
Major Strides in Technological InnovationThe mainland's global innovation ranking climbed to 11th place in the World Intellectual Property Organization's 2024 index, up one spot from last year. This rise cements the mainland's status as one of the fastest-growing economies in terms of innovation over the past decade.
Currently, the mainland boasts 26 of the world's top 100 science and technology innovation clusters, surpassing last year's 24, and holds the top global rank for the second consecutive year.
New Quality Productive ForcesRegions across the mainland are driving the development of new quality productive forces. Beijing, for instance, is constructing an international science and technology innovation center, advancing in emerging fields like 6G and quantum technologies. Meanwhile, Liaoning is strengthening 12 key industrial clusters, focusing on aerospace equipment manufacturing.
In the first half of 2024, investment in high-tech industries increased by 10.6 percent year on year, outpacing total investment growth by 6.7 percentage points. Emerging sectors such as next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, new energy, new materials, and high-end equipment are emerging as new growth drivers.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
