Beijing - On March 6, Bridging News interviewed deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), who emphasized the 2024 government work report's focus on developing new quality productive forces via innovation, education, and industrial growth, toward sustainable growth and technological leadership on the global stage.
China's self-sufficiency in supplying materials for NEVs
Li Xiehua, an NPC deputy, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee, and General Manager of Chinalco Advanced Manufacturing Co., Ltd., highlighted the automotive industry's transformation driven by new energy and lightweight materials.
Li Xiehua, an NPC deputy, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee, and General Manager of Chinalco Advanced Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Photo/Chen Dongyan)
"The promotion of a modern industrial system and the acceleration of new quality productive forces, as mentioned in the 2024 China government work report, are paramount for the industry's evolution," Li said.
Li highlighted the crucial role of lightweight materials in overcoming NEVs' range anxiety, stating, "Our innovations have been essential in addressing this challenge, showcasing our commitment to innovation and ability to meet market demands with our intellectual property."
He also stressed China's self-sufficiency in supplying materials for NEVs, aligning with international standards without reliance on foreign superiority. "The development and material sourcing for companies like Tesla in China highlight the domestic capabilities and the increasing reliance on local procurement for our NEVs," Li added.
"Now, for us, it is also a critical point from the traditional industry into a new industry," Li said, showcasing the pivotal moment for China to lead in the global NEV market, thanks to domestic capabilities and alignment with international standards.
Encouraging health resilience and pharma innovation
Jiang Lingfeng, an NPC deputy and Vice Chairman at Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co Ltd., drew attention to the government work report's emphasis on stimulating the pharmaceutical industry through innovation and research.
Jiang Lingfeng, an NPC deputy and Vice Chairman at Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co Ltd. (Photo/Chen Dongyan)
"The report highlights the importance of fostering new quality productive forces and driving production through scientific research and innovation, which directly aligns with our efforts over the past 20 years," Jiang said.
Jiang added, "We have nearly 50 products in the research pipeline." It showcases the company's dedication to innovation and sustainable growth in the pharmaceutical sector through established research and production bases.
Zhifei's twenty-year commitment highlights the role of new quality productive forces in industry growth, leading to important health products. As a producer of human vaccines, Zhifei is a part of China's seven strategic emerging industries with substantial growth prospects.
Jiang suggests a compensation system for vaccine-related reactions and a flexible vaccine development strategy to adapt to evolving viruses. His ideas seek to boost public health resilience and promote pharmaceutical innovation.
Enhancing higher education quality and capacity
Zhao Yufang, an NPC Deputy and Vice President of Southwest University stressed that new quality productive forces fundamentally depend on sci-tech innovation, which relies heavily on the robustness of science and education.
Zhao Yufang, an NPC Deputy and Vice President of Southwest University. (Photo/ Chongqing Daily)
Zhao emphasized the critical need to improve basic education by widening access to quality resources, aiming for high-quality education to respond to China's demographic changes and move beyond merely increasing education quantity.
Zhao emphasized upgrading vocational and higher education to match China's changing sci-tech and labor needs. She focused on tailoring vocational education to industry demands and enhancing higher education quality and capacity, aiming to nurture innovation and talent development.