The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) emphasized the importance of regarding “science and technology as our primary productive force,” “keeping innovation at the heart of China’s modernization drive,” and “ensuring that the gains of modernization benefit all people fairly,” which provided directions and guidelines for the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) to accelerate work on innovation-driven development.

Zhang Yuzhuo, Executive Vice President of CAST, opined that never before in history has science and technology exerted such a profound impact on people’s happiness and well-being. To advance China’s economic and social development and people’s livelihood, China needs more scientific and technological solutions than ever before. Boosting the primary productive force of science and technology is essential.

China must develop self-reliance and strength in advanced technology

Zhang Yuzhuo said that, with the rapid pace of technological developments, one of the most defining features of our times is the start of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Scientific and technological innovations can unlock forces that fundamentally change production, lifestyles, and philosophies. This will not only shape the form and content of human civilization, but also inject new impetus for the development of human civilization.

China has benefited from technology dividends

Zhang Yuzhuo focused on how Chinese science and technology workers have, in recent years, reaffirmed their commitment to serving the Chinese people. Their efforts in tackling key technology challenges have paid big dividends. In the field of medicine and health, China has successfully developed and deployed a range of home-made advanced medical technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging, color Doppler ultrasonography, and computerized tomography (CT) scanning to cut people’s medical expenses. In the environmental sector, guided by President Xi’s vision of lucid waters and lush mountains as invaluable assets, China has developed clean and efficient combustion technology and ultra-low emission technology for the iron and steel industry. As a result, the country has recorded more days of blue skies. China has developed new agricultural technologies that significantly increase its food security and has achieved good harvests in grain production for 18 years in a row. China has made key breakthroughs in manufacturing C919 passenger jets, new energy vehicles, maglev trains that run at 600 km/h, and wide-spread application of 5G technology.

CAST’s firm mission to advance science and technology

Zhang Yuzhuo outlined CAST’s construction of “Innovation China,” a platform to connect all national societies, local science and technology associations, and leading Chinese experts and accelerate integrated application of science and technology. CAST has also built “Smart China,” a think-tank that provides consulting services on key technology and industry issues. So far, the platform has published over 600 strategic reports that have a bearing on people’s livelihood.

Please find the detailed information of CAST Newsletter No. 14 in the attachment.

Download: CAST Newsletter No. 14.pdf