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SCIO briefing on reform of SOEs

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Speaker:
Xiao Yaqing, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council

Chairperson:
Hu Kaihong, spokesperson of the State Council Information Office

Date:
Sept. 28, 2017

Economic Daily:

CCTV aired a documentary called Amazing China recently. The documentary contains scenes of central SOEs undertaking major projects, which was quite encouraging to watch. It was no less encouraging when we saw the innovative achievements of central SOEs at an ongoing exhibition. My question is to the SASAC: What are the areas where central SOEs have progressed most and what are the underlying reasons. Thank you.

Xiao Yaqing:

The exhibition you mentioned is a collective one staged by all the central SOEs to display their achievements in innovation. Thanks for your attention. Ms. Huang Danhua will answer your question.

Huang Danhua:

Thanks for your concern about the central SOEs' innovation efforts. As you mentioned just now, Amazing China is indeed very thrilling and encouraging. Many roads, bridges, harbors and networks that appear in the documentary were built by central SOEs with the application of major sci-tech innovations. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the central SOEs have earnestly pursued innovation-driven development and seized the opportunities brought by the global technological revolution and industrial transformation. Their enhanced endeavors to make original, independent and collaborative innovations have delivered remarkable results. There are four aspects I'd like to mention here.

First, we have made multiple major scientific and technological breakthroughs at the world's most advanced levels. The manned spaceflight, submersible deep ocean exploration, high-speed railway, UHV transmission, mobile communication, domestically manufactured aircraft carrier launched this year and the homegrown large passenger aircraft which made its maiden flight this year. They are the world's top-notch technologies.

Second, we have many farsighted and groundbreaking scientific and technological innovations which have reinforced the industrial developments. They, as we know, include the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the "No.1 Blue Whale" Deep Water Drilling Platform and the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, signaling our great achievements.

At the same time, the exploration of shale gas, the mining of combustible ice and the space-ground integrated information network, let alone the nuclear reactor and new carrier rockets, all have driven China towards the high-end of the industrial chain.

Third, there are lots of platforms which have supported entrepreneurship and the innovative aspiration of the entire Chinese society. The central SOEs have created 518 pertinent platforms involving a number of brilliant organizations, such as, Casicould, Avicui.com, Ouyeel and Shining Star Innovation, which have pooled social resources to ramp up innovation nationwide.

With its interconnection between big, medium and small enterprises, the new development model has created 6 million jobs and amassed innumerable resources, funds and knowledge for the innovative society where central SOEs have played a leading role.

Fourth, the central SOEs have formed a major force behind the nationwide drive of innovation. I'll reveal a group of data to show how the central SOEs are involved, in regard to funds and personnel for innovation. By 2016, the central SOEs have 808,000 people engaged in R&D. Besides, they have hired 226 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. They have established 632 country-level R&D platforms and hold 486,000 valid patents.

The sci-tech progress awards and invention awards won by central SOEs accounted for one third of the national total, and the proportion was even higher in terms of special prizes and first placed prizes. Over the past five years, central SOEs invested 1.7 trillion yuan, or one-fourth of the national total, in sci-tech development, and won 424 national awards, accounting for one third of the national total. Generally speaking, great efforts have been made in deepening reform, intensifying innovation and cultivating talents.

In the next step, we will further implement the national strategy of innovation-driven development, and help central SOEs to make a greater contribution in making China an innovative country and strong sci-tech power in the world. Thank you.