Learning and Implementing the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s “July 1” Important Speech-CCIEE held the 142nd “Monthly Economic Talk”

Source: China Center for International Economic Exchanges

On July 12, China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) held the 142nd “Monthly Economic Talk” online under the theme of “Learning and Implementing the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's ‘July 1’ Important Speech”. The meeting was moderated by Bi Jingquan, Executive Vice Chairman of CCIEE, and Zhang Xiaoqiang, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of CCIEE, Wang Yiming, Vice Chairman of CCIEE, and Zhang Yansheng, Principal Researcher of CCIEE, delivered speeches respectively on “Promoting Self-Reliance and Self-Improvement in Science and Technology”, “The Party Unites and Leads People to Create a New Path of China’s Modernization”, and “To Foster New Advantages in International Cooperation and Competition”.

Zhang Xiaoqiang pointed out that, to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi’s “July 1” important speech, it is necessary to promote the self-reliance and self-improvement of science and technology based on the new stage of development. Firstly, it is important to increase the financial investment in basic research, guide enterprises and financial institutions to increase financial support. The stock should be optimized as incremental funds should be prioritized to basic research, with the aim of increasing investment in basic research to 10% of the total social investment in research and development in a number of years. Secondly, China's institutional advantage of centralizing power should be given full play to accelerate the formation of a new type of national system for core technology research, solve the problem of duplication and dispersion of scientific research resources investment and overall inefficiency, and avoid low-level homogenized innovation and waste of valuable scientific research resources. Thirdly, collaborative innovation should be enhanced. Drawing on the practical experience from fields like China’s high-speed railroads, advanced third-generation nuclear power, extra-high voltage and 5G, the government should promote the integrated allocation of talent and funds in innovation bases of key areas. Fourthly, the evaluation system of scientific and technological innovation should be improved by adhering to an evaluation guidance with quality, performance and contribution as the core, and highlighting the contribution of patent transformation to economic and social development. Fifthly, it is a must to build an open ecology for innovation, participate in global science and technology governance, and actively integrate into the global innovation network.

Wang Yiming held the view that the new path of China’s modernization manifests distinctive features. First, it is the modernization of a mega-economy. China's move into modernization will completely reshape the map of world modernization. A new model of modernization has to be explored in practice. Second, Chinese modernization aims to achieve common prosperity for all people. We must adhere to the people-centered development thought and let the fruits of development benefit all people to the greatest extent. Third, Chinese modernization boasts coordinated development of material, political, spiritual, social and ecological civilizations, and promotes overall social progress and all-round development of people. Fourth, Chinese modernization features harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature, and it works to promote the comprehensive green transformation of the economy and society and the formation of a green development and lifestyle. Fifth, China’s modernization follows the path of peaceful development. It is necessary to enhance win-win cooperation among countries around the world, to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and to provide new opportunities for the world during China’s new development.

Zhang Yansheng viewed that it is important to fully understand the new frictions and challenges brought by the intricate international environment and cultivate new advantages for international cooperation and competition. The rising of China will make greater contributions to world development; and the well-being of China will continue to build an open world economy; and a mighty China will promote changes in the international pattern and order. At present, in the new international situation where globalization is slowing down, global trade and investment is contracting, and the global supply chain and industrial chain are reshaping, it is of necessity to build a high-standard socialist market economy system, construct a new system of higher-level open economy, strive to cultivate new advantages in international cooperation and competition, and always shoulder the responsibility as “a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a maintainer of international order”.

Following the speeches, the experts interacted and exchanged views with the media. Virtually attended the meeting also some researchers and members of CCIEE, research institutions, enterprises and the media.