In his first local inspection following the national Two Sessions, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hunan Province, emphasizing the critical role of technological innovation in developing new quality productive forces. His tour underscored the importance of adapting development strategies to local conditions and leveraging regional strengths to promote new industries and growth drivers.
President Xi highlighted that the cultivation of new productive forces must align with objective laws and regional realities. He urged for the selective promotion of new industries and models based on each region’s resource endowments, industrial foundations, and scientific research capabilities. This approach aims to form a development system consistent with national objectives while meeting specific strategic requirements.
During his visit, President Xi pointed out, “Scientific and technological innovation is the core element for developing new quality productive forces. It is imperative to work harder on promoting industrial innovation through technological innovation.”
Hunan Province, recognized as an important hub for advanced manufacturing and technological innovation in the Chinese mainland, possesses unique advantages in accelerating the development of new productive forces. As a “major manufacturing province,” Hunan is guided by technological innovation and advanced manufacturing, vigorously cultivating new productive forces. The province boasts four national advanced manufacturing clusters: construction machinery, rail transit equipment, small and medium-sized aircraft engines, and new-generation autonomous safety computing systems.
In 2023, for the first time, Hunan’s advanced manufacturing industry accounted for more than 50% of its total manufacturing sector, becoming a significant source of new quality productive forces.
President Xi’s visit also emphasized the pivotal role of enterprises in innovation and economic development. While inspecting BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd., he noted, “The key to enterprises’ consistent growth and success lies in scientific and technological innovation and high-quality development. Private enterprises and joint ventures have great potentials to tap in this regard.”
President Xi’s guidance provides a fundamental direction for provinces like Hunan and other regions to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces according to their local conditions. By embracing technological innovation and fostering advanced manufacturing, regions can contribute significantly to national development goals and economic prosperity.
