Topics in Focus: Aspire high and commit to innovation! Accelerate the achievement of high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement

    The National Science and Technology Conference, the National Science and Technology Awards Conference, and the Academician Conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering were grandly held in the Great Hall of the People on the morning of June 24. Jinping Xi, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference, presented awards to the recipients of the National Highest Science and Technology Award, and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the prosperity of science and technology leads to the prosperity of the nation, and the strength of science and technology makes the country strong. Chinese-style modernization must be supported by the modernization of science and technology, and high-quality development must rely on technological innovation to cultivate new driving forces. It is imperative to fully recognize the strategic leading role and fundamental supporting role of science and technology, set the strategic goal of building a strong science and technology nation by 2035, strengthen top-level design and overall planning, and accelerate the achievement of high-level technological self-reliance and strength.

    In his important speech at the conference, General Secretary Jinping Xi summarized the historic achievements in China's scientific and technological innovation over recent years using "five new developments": new breakthroughs in basic and frontier research, new leaps in strategic high-tech fields, new achievements in innovation-driven high-quality development, new progress in reforming the science and technology system, and new advances in international openness and cooperation. His speech also profoundly summarized the valuable experiences in the development of science and technology in the new era, provided insightful discussions on the significant role of scientific and technological innovation in advancing Chinese-style modernization and achieving the great process of the Second Centenary Goal, and systematically explained the basic connotation and main tasks of accelerating the construction of a strong science and technology nation under the new circumstances. This guidance sets the direction for advancing scientific and technological work in the new era.

    Xin Zhou, recipient of the second prize of the 2023 National Technological Invention Award and director of the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, commented: "I find the General Secretary's important speech particularly high-level and insightful. Especially the emphasis on strengthening original innovation, China needs to produce more original scientific and technological achievements, and accelerate the capability to tackle key core technologies. This is how we can transform from a major scientific and technological power to a strong scientific and technological nation, achieving high-level technological self-reliance and strength, and striving for the Chinese Dream. Moving forward, we will be guided by the spirit of the General Secretary's speech to seize the next technological high ground."

Professor Xin Zhou, recipient of the Second Prize of the 2023 National Technical Invention Award, accepted an interview

    Scientific and technological innovation relies on talent. A strong scientific and technological nation requires a large number of outstanding engineers, master craftsmen, high-skilled talents, and numerous young scientific talents with a spirit of patriotism and innovation. The recipients of the National Science and Technology Awards come from diverse research fields and have different experiences, but they all share a sincere heart. Honoring them aims to foster a societal atmosphere that respects labor, knowledge, talent, and creativity, vigorously promotes the spirit of scientists, and inspires a vast number of researchers to aspire high, be patriotic and dedicated, and commit to innovation. This will lead to more achievements and outstanding performance, living up to the expectations of the times and the people.