Connect with us

News

China accelerates development of new quality productive forces

Published

on

China accelerates development of new quality productive forces

By Li Xinping, Huang Fute, Lin Lili, People’s Daily

This year, various regions and departments in China have been actively developing new quality productive forces, seeking new strategies and taking proactive measures.
Deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) stressed the importance of vigorously developing strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and electronic information.
They believe this will help foster future industries, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and enhance the momentum for high-quality development.
With innovation playing the leading role, new quality productive forces mean advanced productivity that is freed from traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths, features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, and comes in line with the new development philosophy.
New quality productive forces are in essence advanced productivity that features innovation and focuses on high quality, which are of great significance for accelerating the development of a modern industrial system, said Yu Xubo, a deputy to the 14th NPC.
Yu, also the chairman of Genertec, a centrally-administered state-owned enterprise, noted that Genertec has teamed up with Chongqing University of Technology to promote the industrialization of the nanometer time-grating technology, which has been widely applied in advanced computer numerical control machine tools and robotics, thereby contributing to the development of the Chinese high-end equipment industry.
In 2023, China’s production of new energy vehicles reached 9.443 million units, up 30.3 percent from a year ago. The output of solar cells, including photovoltaic cells, surged 54 percent year-on-year to reach 540 million kilowatts. It also produced 7.83 million sets of service robots, with a year-on-year increase of 23.3 percent.
“Developing new quality productive forces helps foster a batch of large-scale and influential pillar industries, and also accelerates the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, thus enhancing the resilience of the Chinese economy, and effectively upgrading and appropriately expanding China’s economic output,” said president of Sun Yat-sen University Gao Song, a deputy to the 14th NPC.
In 2023, the added value of the high-tech manufacturing industry rose by 2.7 percent year-on-year, and investment in high-tech industries grew by 10.3 percent from a year ago, which indicated a continuous accumulation of new momentum.
Developing new quality productive forces needs technological innovation, which builds an engine for high-quality development through original, disruptive, and cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, Yu said.
Last year, China’s annual expenditure on research and development (R&D) surpassed 3.32 trillion yuan ($462.28 billion), an increase of 8.1 percent compared to the previous year.
“The rapid development of new technologies such as next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) and life sciences will accelerate the reshaping of the global industrial and supply chain pattern, profoundly altering the comparative and competitive advantages of countries around the world,” said Gao. He emphasized the need to focus on the world’s scientific and technological forefront and apply the achievements to promote high-quality development.
Zhao Yuliang, a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, believes that new quality productive forces should be developed by growing the talent chain, enhancing the technology chain, activating the innovation chain and upgrading the industrial chain.
Zhao said that China ranks top globally in terms of the total quantity of talent resources, sci-tech human resources, and R&D personnel. Therefore, it is necessary for the country to further facilitate a virtuous cycle of education, science and technology, and talent, so as to improve the mechanisms for talent cultivation, introduction, utilization, and rational mobility.
Accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces can create a new engine for economic growth.
Upgrading and transforming traditional industries is crucial. Dai Hegen, a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, said that traditional industries serve as the foundation of the modern industrial system, and new quality productive forces can effectively drive the productivity of traditional industries.
Taking the construction engineering industry as an example, he stated that there is still enormous potential for the development and utilization of underground spaces in cities. Therefore, it is necessary to expedite the R&D and utilization of specialized equipment for intelligent exploration and construction in the deep underground of cities, in order to promote the high-quality development of the industry.
Developing and strengthening strategic emerging industries is important. “Strategic emerging industries are characterized by active innovation and intensive technology, providing enormous potential for the development and growth of new quality productive forces,” said Gao Wen, a deputy to the 14th NPC, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and director of Pengcheng Laboratory.
According to him, China’s strategic emerging industries have flourished in recent years, which accounted for approximately 13 percent of China’s GDP.
The forward-looking layout should be made for future industries. “Although future industries are still in their infancy, they can play a crucial role in guiding economic and social development,” said Zhao, adding it is urgent to plan for future industries and accelerate the formation of new quality productive forces.
“In the era of AI, computing power and energy are important resources,” said Gao Wen. He said the Pengcheng Laboratory is developing a large model focusing on key aspects such as model algorithms and training systems, aiming to empower various industries with AI.

Photo shows a busy scene in an intelligent workshop of a precision electronics factory in Huaying, southwest China’s Sichuan province. (Photo by Qiu Haiying/People’s Daily Online)

A technician debugs intelligent robotic arms in a workshop of an intelligent manufacturing enterprise in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province. (Photo by Wang Wangwang/People’s Daily Online)

Photo shows an intelligent textile production line of a special textile producer in Huai’an, east China’s Jiangsu province. (Photo by Yin Chao/People’s Daily Online)

China accelerates development of new quality productive forces

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Clash erupts between police, horse riders near Bayero University Kano

Published

on

Clash erupts between police, horse riders near Bayero University Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash broke out on Saturday between a group of horse riders and personnel of the Nigerian Police Force in the Rimin Gata area, opposite Bayero University Kano (New Site).

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred at about 4:50 p.m., on Sunday involved a surveillance team from the Rijiyar Zaki Division of the Kano State Police Command.

It was gathered that the confrontation followed a tip-off received by the police, alerting them to an unauthorised horse race taking place in the area.

The informant had reportedly warned that the race could degenerate into criminal activity, including phone snatching and possible fatalities.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the surveillance team moved to the location to disperse the riders, which led to resistance and a physical altercation.

Eyewitnesses said the scene became tense as officers attempted to arrest some of the horse riders, who in turn protested what they described as heavy-handedness by the police.

Sources said normalcy was later restored, and no fatalities were recorded. However, it remains unclear if any arrests were made.

The Kano State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Clash erupts between police, horse riders near Bayero University Kano

Continue Reading

News

Whistleblower recounts ordeal after exposing drug trafficker in Kano

Published

on

Whistleblower recounts ordeal after exposing drug trafficker in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

A young whistleblower has come forward with a detailed account of alleged harassment, detention, and intimidation he faced after exposing a suspected drug trafficker, Sulaiman Dan Wawu, in Kano State.

The incident, which began in December 2022, involved multiple arrests, prolonged court appearances, and alleged violations of his fundamental rights, despite his role in alerting the public to the arrest of Dan Wawu with 500 cartons of Tramadol.

The whistleblower, who spoke under anonymity due to safety concerns, said the situation began after he posted news of Dan Wawu’s arrest on TikTok – a post that gained over 41,000 views. The viral post, which followed a similar disclosure by Police Spokesman SP Abdullahi Kiyawa on Facebook, allegedly provoked backlash from the suspect and his associates.

“Though I had no personal connection to Dan Wawu, the day after I posted the video, a man named Abba Abdullahi came to my area in Kwankwaso, claiming to be from the CID. He accused me of buying a stolen phone and insisted I follow him to Farm Center,” the whistleblower said.

“Instead of Farm Center, I was taken to the Rapid Response Team (RRT) cell, where I spent three days. Each day, Dan Wawu, his wife, and another associate, Abdullahi Amdaz, came to see me. I was tortured in their presence. They claimed I had defamed them on TikTok.”

After being taken before a magistrate at the PRP Court under Judge Nura Yusuf Ahmad, the complainant was returned to the CID on remand. He later appeared in court where the formal charge was read: defamation and public misinformation for stating that “Dan Wawu was a drug trafficker” on social media.

The prosecution alleged that over 41,000 people had viewed the TikTok video and that radio stations had also aired the case. The suspect’s wife reportedly gave a media interview accusing the whistleblower of damaging her husband’s reputation.

The judge remanded the whistleblower to prison for five days before he was granted bail under six strict conditions, including the provision of two civil servants of Grade Level 12 or above, endorsement by a ward head, and an undertaking to refrain from using social media or any media platform.

Later, the whistleblower alleged further intimidation. “Abba Abdullahi, who earlier arrested me, called me and my elder brother outside court. He video-called Dan Wawu, who was then in Qatar, and forced me to delete two TikTok accounts with 87,000 and 19,000 followers,” he said.

He claimed three of his SIM cards were seized – the ones linked to his TikTok and email accounts – and was warned against SIM swapping or returning to social media.

Despite this, the trial dragged on for 11 to 13 months. “Even though the court was aware that Dan Wawu had been arrested with drugs, he and his wife never showed up in court,” he said.

One day, he was re-arrested by Abba Abdullahi on the claim that he had violated bail conditions. He was detained at CID for two days before being transferred to prison, where he spent 38 days during Ramadan in 2023, eventually regaining his freedom on the 29th day of fasting.

At the peak of the trial, he was reportedly pressured by the prosecutor, Aliyu Abideen, to swear an oath in court to prove his innocence. He rejected the condition, citing Islamic jurisprudence, which limits such oaths to civil or financial disputes – not criminal cases involving narcotics.

“In Maliki jurisprudence, oaths are only valid in financial matters, not cases involving someone caught with illegal drugs,” he said, quoting a Maliki legal verse.

Eventually, after the prosecution failed to present evidence or secure testimony from Dan Wawu, the case lost momentum. Meanwhile, Dan Wawu, who was arrested and arraigned at the Federal High Court on drug trafficking charges, reportedly fled with his wife and has since been at large.

“Now the entire world, not just 41,000 people, knows he was caught with drugs. His disgrace is from God. He spent nearly 50 days in prison before escaping,” the whistleblower said.

Whistleblower recounts ordeal after exposing drug trafficker in Kano

Continue Reading

News

Army, DSS-backed hybrid forces kill 45 bandits in Niger gun battle

Published

on

Army, DSS-backed hybrid forces kill 45 bandits in Niger gun battle

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of the Nigerian Army and hybrid forces, with critical intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS), have neutralised no fewer than 45 bandits during a fierce gunfight in Iburu village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, in what appears to be a major success in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts,

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the joint operation was launched on Friday evening following intelligence that a large number of terrorists riding on motorcycles were advancing to launch coordinated attacks on Iburu and neighbouring communities.

According to the sources, the DSS intercepted early signals of the planned movement and quickly passed the alert to troops who had been on standby in the general area.

“The terrorists were said to have split into smaller columns, attempting to encircle the village under the cover of dusk, but were ambushed by the troops who engaged them in a sustained firefight that lasted several hours,” one source said.

The troops who returned to the scene after the exchange of gunfire confirmed counting at least 40 dead bodies of the bandits, while dozens of motorcycles used by the attackers were reportedly destroyed.

Two members of the hybrid forces fighting alongside the troops paid the supreme price, while four others were evacuated with serious gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at a public hospital in Minna, the state capital.

Friday’s clash is the latest in a series of counter-offensives launched by security forces to decimate terrorists and secure communities across Niger State, especially in the volatile Shiroro-Munya axis which has become a stronghold for various criminal groups.

In April, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, raised the alarm over escalating terrorist activity around the Babanna border area of Niger State.

Adeniyi had revealed that Customs officers narrowly escaped an ambush by terrorists after intercepting 500 jerrycans of petrol allegedly being smuggled to insurgents operating within the state and across the border.

Friday’s success point to the importance of synergy between intelligence services and ground forces in disrupting terrorist logistics and operational movements across the North Central region.

The proactive engagement by DSS, coupled with swift tactical response by the military, is beginning to shift the operational advantage in favour of state forces.

Army, DSS-backed hybrid forces kill 45 bandits in Niger gun battle

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights