Seeking high-quality development through technology, seeking competitiveness through technology — A review of the second "Member Channel" at the Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 7 — Title: Achieving High-Quality Development Through Science and Technology, Enhancing Competitiveness Through Science and Technology — Highlights from the Second “Member Channel” Session at the Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

Xinhua News Agency reporters Ye Haoming, Zou Duowei, Wen Jinghua

On the afternoon of March 7, at the Great Hall of the People, the second “Member Channel” session of the Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference was held as scheduled. Nine CPPCC members took the stage to share their experiences, convey confidence, and offer strength.

High-speed trains reach 450 km/h, embodied intelligence, and multimodal artificial intelligence showcase new highlights… The first to answer reporters’ questions was Wang Zhigang, former Minister of Science and Technology. He detailed a series of technological innovations and the high-tech empowerment behind them.

The “14th Five-Year Plan” period is a critical time to accelerate high-level scientific independence and strength, and to build a strong science and technology nation. Wang Zhigang emphasized the need to strengthen open cooperation in science and technology, pursue high-quality development, foster new productive forces through science and technology, and promote sustainable development and competitiveness.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of China’s space industry. Liu Zheng, chief process engineer at the Capital Aerospace Machinery Company of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation First Academy, calculated: from China’s first rocket launch to the 100th, it took 37 years; the most recent 100 launches were completed in just over a year.

“From following to leading, some of China’s aerospace technologies have entered ‘unmanned zones’.” Liu Zheng said that only through independent innovation can China gain the initiative in international competition.

Technological development drives the rise of great powers and empowers daily life.

Your ID card contains many Easter eggs: by aligning the personal information page with light, you can see the Great Wall watermark and the words “China CHINA”… Suzhou University President Zhang Qiao revealed the high-tech hidden in IDs. This technology, born in university laboratories, has now entered thousands of households.

Looking ahead to the “14th Five-Year Plan,” Zhang Qiao believes that universities should “reach for the sky” by focusing on cutting-edge science and breaking human cognitive boundaries, and “root in the land” by serving industry and solving real-world problems, truly writing papers on the land of China.

Promoting scientific progress and fostering a culture that respects science is an important part of this effort.

Xu Xing, director of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that some young scientists, after reading his popular science articles, have embarked on scientific research paths.

“I often share my personal experiences with children, telling them that science is actually very interesting and scientists are really cool.” Xu Xing expressed hope that more scientists will dedicate themselves to science education in primary and secondary schools and to China’s popular science事业.

The transformation and upgrading of manufacturing rely on technological innovation and digital intelligence integration.

“Last year, our transformer exports increased by 71.4% year-on-year, and factory orders are booked until 2027. What is the secret? Continuous innovation investment.” Nanjing Hui, chairman of Zhejiang Chint Group, said. Under national strategic guidance and leveraging the advantages of a large-scale market, “Made in China” is moving toward “Intelligent China,” with broad prospects for manufacturing transformation and future growth.

Wang Xiaolong, general manager of Ningxia Fostate Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., has a goal: to truly equip China’s industrial mother machines with a “Chinese heart.”

During scientific research and development, Wang Xiaolong and his team went through countless cycles of “debugging—verification—failure—retry,” ultimately overcoming difficulties. The developed machine tools can now compete with top international equipment.

“If others can do it, we can definitely do it—and do it better!” he said.

Achieving technological breakthroughs in high-tech fields and improving people’s well-being in high-altitude areas.

Wang Xuan, vice chairman of the Qinghai Provincial CPPCC, said that last summer, 30 families from Jiangsu visited the Huzhu Beilongshan Health and Wellness Base in Qinghai. During their 15-day trip, they experienced the unique charm of high-altitude health tourism. As they left, they all said they would promote Qinghai when they returned.

Wang Xuan noted that Qinghai, relying on its ecological resources, has proposed a high-altitude health concept, utilizing the moderate hypoxic environment at around 2,000 meters elevation to forge a unique path.

On the stage, two members viewed development changes in Tibet from different perspectives.

In the past, it took seven or eight hours of bumpy travel to reach medical services; now, common illnesses can be treated promptly at local township health centers. The implementation of “group-style” medical aid to Tibet has significantly improved local healthcare services… Ming Jicuo, professor of Tibetan medicine at Tibet University of Traditional Tibetan Medicine, said that with increased investment in grassroots public facilities and healthcare, the old path of seeking medical treatment has been greatly shortened.

Zhao Mei, a researcher at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, shared her American friends’ impressions after visiting Tibet: the streets are peaceful, people live and work happily; the Jingzang Railway runs smoothly with breathtaking scenery along the way; and calling family in Boston from Lhasa, the sound quality was surprisingly clear. “He excitedly told me several times over the phone, ‘It’s amazing!’”

“Friendship between nations depends on the closeness of their peoples. China will always embrace the world with an open attitude, coexist with different civilizations with tolerance, and promote mutual understanding and heart-to-heart connections.” she said.

(Edited by: Wen Jing)