Major economic provinces must take the lead in innovation

This year marks the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan. As the “ballast stone” to stabilize the national economy’s fundamentals, major economic provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Zhejiang must take on a leading role. They need to make new breakthroughs in strengthening original innovation and tackling key core technologies, seizing the technological high ground, and leading the development of new productive forces through technological innovation.

From the signals released by various regions at the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, this trend of breakthroughs is already clear. Shanghai aims to build a world-class hub for scientific and technological innovation, advancing the construction of a “Basic Research Pioneer Zone”; Guangdong has maintained its leading position in regional innovation capability for nine consecutive years, with the number of high-tech enterprises surpassing 77,000; Jiangsu hosts 3,022 national-level specialized and innovative “Little Giant” enterprises, ranking first nationwide. These achievements are not just simple numbers; they reflect that innovation in major economic provinces is shifting from “point breakthroughs” to “systematic emergence.”

However, these provinces still face challenges in original innovation and key core technology research, such as insufficient investment in basic research, weak capacity for original innovation, and dependence on others for “neck-breaking” technologies. In the future, how can these major economic provinces build high peaks on high plateaus? How can they achieve new breakthroughs in original innovation and key core technologies?

Rooted in basic research, forge the hard-core originality from “0 to 1,” and venture into the deepest parts of scientific “no man’s land.” Basic research is the master switch of technological innovation, determining the ceiling of technological breakthroughs. In the past, we were accustomed to catching up on the application side, but during the 14th Five-Year Plan, we must embed our roots in the soil of basic theories. Major economic provinces possess the country’s best university resources and research facilities, such as Guangdong’s China Spallation Neutron Source, Shanghai’s light source, and Anhui’s synchrotron radiation source. These “national heavyweights” should become reactors that generate original discoveries. Dare to establish “Basic Research Pioneer Zones,” implement long-term stable funding mechanisms, eliminate short-term assessments, and encourage scientists to explore frontier areas. Only by planting towering trees in the depths of “no man’s land” can we gain a voice in future global technological competition and provide the fundamental theoretical support for solving “neck-breaking” technical problems.

Using deep integration as the main thread, connect the “from 1 to 100” industrial transformation chain, and promote the transition of scientific and technological innovation achievements from the laboratory to the production line. Major economic provinces should build a complete innovation ecosystem from basic research to application verification, bridging the “last mile” of technology transfer. The goal of technological innovation is not just to publish papers but to transform into real productivity. Currently, although the phenomenon of “two skins” between technological and industrial innovation is gradually diminishing, links such as pilot testing and proof of concept remain vulnerable points in the innovation ecosystem. With comprehensive industry categories and a large-scale market advantage, these provinces are fully capable of establishing a complete closed loop of “basic research—pilot testing—application verification.” To promote deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application, it is necessary to strengthen the role of enterprises as “question setters” and “reviewers.” Let enterprises bring their needs to seek technologies, and let research institutes focus on solving pain points.

Using mechanism innovation as the soul, activate the unlimited potential of various innovation entities. Ultimately, the competition in innovation is a competition in the innovation ecosystem. Whether it is breakthroughs in original innovation or smooth transformation of results, it depends on a mechanism environment that can minimize constraints and stimulate vitality. The rise of Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons” is not only a victory of technology but also a victory of business environment and mechanism innovation. Hangzhou’s “Runmiao Plan,” through a combination of “investment, loans, subsidies, guarantees, and insurance,” established the “Runmiao Fund” with a maximum investment period of 20 years, providing long-term “patient capital” to support the growth of tech startups. This attitude of not seeking quick success but focusing on long-term development is the best nourishment for cultivating an innovation jungle. Major economic provinces should take the lead in breaking down institutional and mechanism barriers, reform research evaluation systems, grant greater autonomy to researchers, and facilitate two-way talent flow between universities, research institutes, and enterprises. Promoting models like “Chief Scientist of Science and Technology” can also help ensure that intellectual resources shine where they are most needed.

(Author: Cheng Changchun, President and Chief Expert of Jiangsu Yangtze River Economic Belt Research Institute, Nantong University Source: Economic Daily)