Unleash the Innovative Potential of Our Talent

Unleash the Innovative Potential of Our Talent*

March 2023-March 2024

I

Deeper institutional reform of science and technology is essential. We must vigorously cultivate a culture of innovation, and improve evaluation systems and incentive mechanisms in science and technology to create a favorable environment for innovative talent to stand out and shine.

(from the speech at a deliberation session of the Jiangsu delegation to the First Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, March 5, 2023)

II

Prioritizing the reform of the remuneration system for university teachers and researchers is a crucial measure to promote the coordinated development of education, science and technology, and talent. This involves gradually establishing a well-managed and effective remuneration system that stimulates innovation, values knowledge, and balances incentives and guarantees, to further invigorate innovation and creativity in universities and research institutes.

(from the speech at the second meeting of the Central Commission for Further Reform, July 11, 2023)

III

We must fully implement the strategies for invigorating China through science and education, for building a talent-strong country, and for pursuing innovation-driven development. We will expand reform to build up the ranks of industrial workers, move faster to build a contingent of educated, skilled and innovative industrial workers, and nurture more master technicians and highly skilled workers.

(from the speech during a meeting with the new leadership of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, October 23, 2023)

IV

To propel Chinese modernization forward, we must strengthen our sci-tech, education and talent strategies. Shanghai must spearhead this effort by expediting its transformation into a hub for sci-tech innovation with global influence. We should focus on cultivating a cohort of mission-driven top talent, and create favorable conditions to give full rein to their talents.

(from the speech during a visit to Shanghai, November 28-December 2, 2023)

V

Engineers play a crucial role in creating the future by promoting engineering science and technology for the benefit of humanity. They are also a vital component of a talent pool with expertise of strategic importance. The individuals and groups being recognized here are outstanding representatives and role models of China’s engineers.

Looking ahead, we must reinforce the independent training of engineering and technical talent, elevate the social status of engineers, and create conditions for their growth and success. We should foster an atmosphere of striving for excellence, working diligently, daring to tackle challenges, and pursuing innovation, thereby accelerating the building of a large-scale and exceptional engineering workforce. I hope that engineers and technicians nationwide will firmly embrace the ideals of serving the country through science and technology and benefiting the people, be determined to make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, build exemplar projects, and promote new quality productive forces. I hope that they will speed up efforts to achieve greater strength and self-reliance in science and technology, serve high-quality development, and contribute more to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

(from the directive on the presentation of the inaugural National Engineer Award, January 17, 2024)

VI

We must expand institutional reform in science and technology, education, and talent development, and focus on removing obstacles that restrict the development of new quality productive forces.

(from the speech at a deliberation session of the Jiangsu delegation to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, March 5, 2024)

VII

The CPPCC representatives from the sector of science and technology and all others working in this field should aspire to invigorate and strengthen China through science and education and take on responsibility for sci-tech innovation. You should strengthen basic and applied basic research, make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and foster and develop new drivers for new quality productive forces. You should provide practical suggestions to facilitate deeper institutional reform in science and technology and in talent development, improve related evaluation systems and incentive mechanisms, and further unleash the innovative potential of talented people from all fields.

(from the speech at a joint panel discussion of CPPCC National Committee members from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the science and technology sector, and the environment and resource sector during the Second Session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, March 6, 2024)

* Excerpts from speeches made between March 2023 and March 2024.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)