Zhong Ying: Deeply Understanding the Core Essence and Practical Requirements of Developing New Quality Productive Forces
On the new journey, focusing on the central task of economic construction and the primary mission of high-quality development, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to integrate scientific and technological innovation resources, lead the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries, and accelerate the formation of new quality productive forces. He has also proposed a series of methodologies and important requirements for implementation. General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of important expositions and major deployments regarding the development of new quality productive forces have further systematically elucidated major theoretical and practical issues such as "what are new quality productive forces, why develop them, and how to develop them." This represents an innovation and development of Marxist productive forces theory, possessing significant theoretical meaning and profound practical significance. The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-path Modernization" (hereinafter referred to as the Decision), adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, made important deployments for improving the systems and mechanisms to promote high-quality economic development and facilitate the development of new quality productive forces. It pointed out the direction for improving systems and mechanisms to develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions [1], and for accelerating the shaping of new drivers and advantages for development. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has continuously expanded and deepened the theoretical connotations and practical requirements of new quality productive forces, providing scientific guidance and sketching a development blueprint for advancing high-quality development and writing a new chapter for Chinese-path modernization on the new journey.
I. New quality productive forces are an advanced state of productive forces that align with the New Development Philosophy
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "To summarize, new quality productive forces are an advanced state of productive forces in which innovation plays the leading role; they break away from traditional economic growth modes and development paths for productive forces, possess the characteristics of high technology, high efficiency, and high quality, and align with the New Development Philosophy [2]. They are catalyzed by revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, the innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading. Their basic connotation is the leap in the quality of laborers, labor instruments, and subjects of labor, as well as their optimized combination. Their core indicator is a substantial increase in total factor productivity. Their hallmark is innovation, their key lies in high quality, and their essence is advanced productivity." This important exposition scientifically answers what new quality productive forces are and demonstrates that they represent the developmental direction of advanced productive forces, serving as an inevitable choice for promoting the iterative upgrading of productive forces and achieving modernization.
New quality productive forces are a new type of productive force driven by innovation, supported by technological progress, and aimed at improving efficiency and quality. The development of such productive forces requires us not only to break free from the shackles of traditional economic growth modes but also to achieve fundamental transformations in production methods, economic structures, and development paths. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that new quality productive forces are catalyzed by revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading. This profoundly reveals that the formation and development of new quality productive forces is a systemic project [3], requiring us to exert great effort and do solid work in multiple areas such as technological innovation, resource allocation, and industrial upgrading. Only in this way can we continuously catalyze and strengthen new quality productive forces, providing powerful impetus and support for high-quality development.
From the perspective of the three elements of productive forces, the "new quality" of new quality productive forces is reflected in three ways: First, new types of laborers—those who can fully utilize modern technology, adapt to modern high-end advanced equipment, possess the ability for rapid knowledge iteration, and are high-level, versatile, and high-quality laborers capable of adapting to the development of new quality productive forces. Second, new quality labor instruments, especially new production tools such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality equipment, and automated manufacturing equipment, as well as digital technologies represented by the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, and 3D printing. Digital technology drives industrial change and green transformation through digital networks and intelligent algorithms. Third, new quality subjects of labor, reflected in the "digital-intelligent" [4] transformation of traditional subjects of labor, as well as new materials, new energy, and other new subjects of labor. These include not only high-end intelligent equipment in physical form but also new production factors in non-physical forms such as data. With the development of fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and new energy technology, the scope and domain of labor subjects are continuously expanding and can release enormous productive efficiency. The qualitative change of the three elements of productive forces inevitably leads to a new quality leap in productive forces, promoting the convenient flow, networked sharing, systematic integration, collaborative development, and highly efficient utilization of production factors such as labor, capital, land, knowledge, technology, management, and data. This effectively reduces transaction costs, significantly improves resource allocation efficiency and total factor productivity, thereby promoting high-quality development and accelerating the process of Chinese-path modernization.
II. Developing new quality productive forces is an inherent requirement and important focus for promoting high-quality development
High-quality development requires new productive forces theory for guidance. New quality productive forces have already formed in practice and demonstrated strong impetus and support for high-quality development; they require theoretical summary and generalization to guide new developmental practices. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly elucidated: "Developing new quality productive forces is an inherent requirement and an important focus for promoting high-quality development. We must continue to do the great work of innovation and promote the accelerated development of new quality productive forces." On one hand, new quality productive forces are a concept of productive forces that matches high-quality development, representing an innovation and beneficial attempt at productive forces theory during China's stage of high-quality development, as well as an innovation and development of Marxist productive forces theory. On the other hand, new quality productive forces already have developmental precedents in China; the purpose of theoretical summary is to better guide practice. We must apply new quality productive forces to developmental practice and achieve high-quality development based on innovation.
Developing new quality productive forces is an urgent requirement for advancing high-quality development and achieving Chinese-path modernization. The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed that building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving the second centenary goal [5]—advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization—is the central task of the Communist Party of China. High-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in all respects. Chinese-path modernization cannot be achieved without the modernization of science and technology; otherwise, modernization would be "water without a source, a tree without roots." High-quality development requires high-quality productive forces; otherwise, it is impossible to truly achieve high output efficiency and a sound economic operating state. Chinese-path modernization and high-quality development are built upon a solid material and technological foundation. This foundation relies on high-quality labor and new types of means of production, and is inseparable from modern high-tech R&D and application. Modern high-tech, high-quality labor, and high-quality means of production are precisely the components of new quality productive forces. Currently, most fields in China have basically solved the supply problem of "moving from nothing to something," but the problem of high-quality demand not being effectively met remains, which objectively requires forming a new balance where demand pulls supply and supply creates demand. Accelerating the development of new quality productive forces meets the realistic needs of high-quality development, helps realize a virtuous cycle of the national economy, better utilizes China's ultra-large market advantage, and enhances the sustainability of economic growth and social development. Against the backdrop of rapid global technological changes and deep adjustment of industrial structures, developing new quality productive forces means driving industrial innovation through technological innovation. It reflects the initiative taken to build new competitive advantages and win the lead in development through industrial upgrading.
III. Actively cultivating and developing new quality productive forces
We must fully recognize the importance of accelerating the development of new quality productive forces for promoting high-quality development. We must seize the opportunities of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, increase technological innovation efforts, cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, plan for the layout of future industries in advance, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, continuously improve the modern industrial system, actively cultivate and develop new quality productive forces, and promote high-quality economic development.
Strengthen technological innovation, especially original and disruptive technological innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Scientific and technological innovation can catalyze new industries, new models, and new growth drivers; it is the core element for developing new quality productive forces. We must strengthen technological innovation, especially original and disruptive technological innovation, accelerate the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, win the battle for key core technologies, and ensure that original and disruptive technological innovation results emerge in quick succession to cultivate new drivers for developing new quality productive forces." New quality productive forces differ from general innovation at the innovation level, possessing brand-new temporal characteristics and rich connotations: First, they place more emphasis on original and disruptive technological innovation and on achieving revolutionary breakthroughs in technology. Second, they emphasize digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, representing advanced productivity characterized by AI technology, especially "computing power." Third, they emphasize the combination of technological innovation and industrial development, requiring the timely application of technological innovation results to specific industries and industrial chains to improve the modern industrial system.
In the present era, competition surrounding the "commanding heights" [6] of technology is unprecedentedly fierce. Key core technologies cannot be asked for, bought, or begged for. Only by strengthening original technological innovation can we hold key core technologies in our own hands and firmly grasp the initiative of development; only by strengthening disruptive technological innovation can we surpass and replace original technologies, driving the overall situation through breakthroughs in important fields and key links. From high-end chips and industrial motherboards to development platforms and basic algorithms, and further to basic components and basic materials, only by winning the battle for key core technologies and allowing original and disruptive technological innovation results to emerge in quick succession can we cultivate new drivers for new quality productive forces and lay the foundation and support for their development.
Lead industrial innovation through technological innovation. Science and technology can only be transformed into real, direct productive forces when they are applied to the production process. We must value both the "0 to 1" original innovation breakthroughs and the "1 to infinity" application and transformation of results. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of applying technological innovation results and the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. Developing new quality productive forces makes cultivating new industries a key task. During his deliberation with the Jiangsu delegation at the third session of the 14th National People's Congress this year, the General Secretary further pointed out: "Technological innovation and industrial innovation are the basic paths for developing new quality productive forces." Currently, China has basically constructed an industrial system characterized by large scale, completeness, and strong competitiveness, but the problems of some industries being "large but not strong" or "complete but not superior" still exist. Layouting industrial chains around the development of new quality productive forces and improving the modern industrial system are objective necessities.
Strategic emerging industries and future industries are the primary battlefields for developing new quality productive forces. We need to integrate technological innovation resources to lead the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries, actively cultivate strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and electronic information, and actively cultivate future industries to enhance new development drivers. Aiming at the frontiers of world energy technology and focusing on key energy fields and major needs, we must rationally choose technical routes, utilize the advantages of the new-type whole-nation system [7], strengthen joint research for key core technologies, reinforce the transformation and application of scientific research results, and cultivate energy technology and its related industries into new growth points driving China's industrial upgrading. Traditional industries can also become or produce new quality productive forces through transformation and upgrading. By ensuring wider application of "digital-intelligent" and green technologies, we can promote industries to move toward the medium-to-high end and accelerate the conversion of old and new drivers. We must drive industrial innovation with technological innovation—especially by catalyzing new industries, new models, and new drivers with disruptive and frontier technologies—apply technological innovation results to specific industries and industrial chains in a timely manner, transform and upgrade traditional industries, cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, layout and build future industries, and improve the modern industrial system.
Developing new quality productive forces requires scientific policymaking and acting according to local conditions. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Developing new quality productive forces is not about ignoring or abandoning traditional industries; we must prevent a headlong rush into action [8] and the creation of bubbles, nor should we adopt a single model. All localities must persist in proceeding from reality, 'establish the new before breaking the old,' act according to local conditions, and provide classified guidance. Based on local resource endowments, industrial foundations, and scientific research conditions, they should selectively promote the development of new industries, new models, and new drivers, use new technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries, and actively promote industries to become high-end, intelligent, and green." This profoundly elucidates the key issues in developing new quality productive forces and further clarifies the practical path for accelerating the transformation, upgrading, and efficiency improvement of traditional industries while balancing the relationship between new quality productive forces and traditional productive forces.
We must implement the methodology of "acting according to local conditions" pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping, while continuously deepening our theoretical understanding and practical exploration of new quality productive forces. On one hand, new quality productive forces and traditional industries do not stand in an oppositional relationship; the key is to use new technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries, actively promoting their transition toward becoming high-end, intelligent, and green, and coordinating the upgrading of traditional industries, the expansion of emerging industries, and the cultivation of future industries. Developing new quality productive forces does not mean excluding or clearing out traditional industries, nor can it be one-sidedly understood as "eliminating the old with the new" [9] by concentrating resources absolutely in strategic emerging industries and future industries while neglecting the development of traditional sectors. Taking China's industry as an example, traditional industries currently still account for approximately 80% of the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size. The steady development of traditional industries plays an irreplaceable role in stabilizing employment, stabilizing growth, and ensuring industrial security. We must "establish the new before breaking the old" [10], act according to local conditions, and provide category-based guidance. We must accelerate the improvement of scientific and technological innovation capabilities and the application of innovation achievements, injecting new "technological genes" into traditional industries. This involves replacing backward technologies in traditional sectors with emerging technologies, promoting digital upgrades and green transformations, and selectively driving the development of new industries, new models, and new growth drivers to cultivate and form new quality productive forces. On the other hand, developing new quality productive forces must involve seeking truth from facts and acting according to local conditions, carrying out work in close integration with local resource endowments, industrial foundations, and scientific research conditions. Resource endowments and development levels vary vastly across different regions, as do the focal points and difficulties of development; thus, the development of new quality productive forces will exhibit different regional characteristics. The accelerated cultivation and formation of new quality productive forces is rich in connotation, involving multiple aspects—strategic emerging industries and future industries are only one part; it also includes the transformation of traditional industries toward high-end, intelligent, and green development. We must never deviate from the principles of seeking truth from facts and acting according to local conditions by "rushing headlong into action" [11] or forcibly pushing the development of emerging and future industries. Instead, we need to make scientific judgments on industrial development based on local realities and explore new paths that leverage local advantages and enhance local characteristics.
We must form relations of production that are better adapted to the requirements of developing new quality productive forces. The Decision [12] proposes to improve relevant rules and policies and accelerate the formation of relations of production that are better adapted to new quality productive forces. This clarifies the relationship between developing new quality productive forces and further comprehensively deepening reform. The Decision makes important deployments for improving the systems and mechanisms that drive high-quality development and promote the development of new quality productive forces. It proposes to improve systems and mechanisms for developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions, promoting the concentration of various advanced factors of production toward the development of new quality productive forces to significantly increase total factor productivity. We must deepen reforms of the economic system and the science and technology system, focusing on clearing "bottlenecks and obstacles" [13] that restrict the development of new quality productive forces. We must establish a high-standard market system, innovate the way factors of production are allocated, and allow various advanced and high-quality factors of production to flow smoothly toward the development of new quality productive forces. We must expand high-level opening up to the outside world to create a favorable international environment for the development of new quality productive forces. In accordance with the requirements for developing new quality productive forces, we must ensure a "virtuous cycle" between education, science and technology, and talent, and improve the working mechanisms for the cultivation, introduction, utilization, and rational flow of talent. In short, by further comprehensively deepening reform to clear bottlenecks and obstacles, and by using institutional innovation to construct better-adapted relations of production, we will effectively break the constraints and barriers to the development of new quality productive forces, allowing innovation and creativity to emerge in an endless stream and enabling new quality productive forces to exert their surging momentum.