Press conference on pursuing the innovation-driven development strategy to build a country strong in science and technology
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 11, 2022
CNBC:
I have two questions. First, what particular plan do you have to cultivate high-quality talents? Second, in what fields do you plan to invest so as to build China into a sci-tech power? How much will you invest and how will you guarantee the investment benefits? Thank you.
Wang Zhigang:
I will answer your questions, one is about talents, and the latter is about the use of sci-tech funds. High-quality development seeks to shift from factor-driven to innovation-driven. Innovation activities are human practices by nature, and innovation-driven development is essentially the growth of talent-driven; thus, talent is the most important aspect of implementing an innovation-driven development strategy.
In terms of talents, governments need to create a better environment and ecology so that more people can become talents, especially in the sci-tech innovation aspect, including strategic scientists, leading sci-tech and outstanding young talents, as well as tens of thousands of human forces engaged in scientific research in various fields. We need to provide a favorable environment and conditions in policies, laws, services, and culture. For talents working in basic research, technological innovation, achievement transformation, and high-tech application, we should set up an appropriate environment to make them better adapted and find their positions. We should not use a one size fit all approach to support and serve different talents; for example, talents working in basic research and enterprises should not be valued by a single standard. The structure and quantity of talents in China have been improved. China's number of talents ranks first globally, which is consistent with the country's population base and the all-round and all-system format of scientific research in China, whereas more high caliber talents have emerged in ushering in new fields, conducting leading programs and addressing frontier scientific issues. These talents are crucial in our efforts to build China to an innovative country and a sci-tech power and contribute more Chinese wisdom to the world's sci-tech progress.
When it comes to the use of funds, we should ensure that it will be used to boost innovation. What kind of innovative activities do we need? What kind of innovation force do we have? What do they need? How to help them better engage in scientific research innovation? We should strengthen resource allocation both for basic research and basic applied research and for technological innovation and application.
Governments should clarify input direction to reflect national development strategy. Moreover, governments should guide enterprises to invest more in scientific and technological innovation. At the same time, we have carried out a series of international cooperation. Some of our scientists take projects as carriers during international cooperation, while others take platforms as carriers. The service and input of these carriers are also what we should support. We need to increase support for basic research because it is turning the unknown into the known, reducing uncertainties and increasing certainties. We need to find laws, methods, and technological paths to promote basic research. We will also focus on key areas that have a bearing on people's lives, health, and livelihood and take them as the emphasis of resource allocation for scientific research.
