Shi Haofei, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and director of the Center for Nanofabrication and System Integration at the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]

During the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in China, discussions on the importance to cultivate new quality productive forces took the spotlight. NPC deputy Shi Haofei emphasized the critical role of applying scientific and technological innovation in real-world industrial settings to truly develop these new forces.

Shi, director of the Center for Nanofabrication and System Integration at the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared his insights. "Simply having a 'sprint' in one part of the process is not enough to transition scientific and technological developments from theory to practice," he stated. "A coordinated 'relay race' across the entire industrial chain is essential for significant outcomes."

He leads a team that specializes in researching new materials, particularly graphene, and has navigated many technological challenges. "We initially thought we could go it alone," Shi admitted, reflecting on the early obstacles his team faced in identifying practical applications for their research. Shifting to a collaboration strategy that involves research, production, and application sectors, enabled Shi and his team to effectively link different parts of the industrial chain. 

Shi highlighted a successful collaboration with aerospace application teams which led to a significant breakthrough: This partnership led to the development of a graphene-based material with exceptional optical absorption properties, significantly improving the spacecraft payload's detection capabilities and precision, thereby enabling the spacecraft to see farther and with greater clarity. This material has been employed in several aerospace missions, including the Chinese space station. 

Shi also touched upon the need for improved collaboration between enterprises and research institutions. During his time as an NPC deputy, he has observed a noticeable lack of enthusiasm for conducting original basic research among some firms, which undermines potential partnerships with research institutions.  

To counter these challenges, Shi advocated for policy incentives, such as tax reductions and financial subsidies, encouraging leading tech companies to boost their basic research investments. 

He also called for promoting a collaborative innovation network that links technology firms with academic and research institutions, enabling the sharing of resources, knowledge and innovative breakthroughs to drive the development of new quality productive forces.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)