Academicians share their views on innovation in meeting of advisers

Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, called on political advisers for advice on promoting innovation-driven development in China during a consultation session on Tuesday.

About 250 senior political advisers attended the session, including about 100 academicians from various fields. Another 100 CPPCC National Committee members joined the meeting via video link.

Wang said innovation is the primary driving force for development and the consultation sessions were a good way to push forward innovation-driven development.

"There are about 100 academicians attending the session, which reflects the important role of scientists in the consultative body and their significance in scientific and educational development in our country," he said. "We should make full use of the consultation of the political advisory body, a major form of consultative democracy, to promote innovation-driven development."

The CPPCC is an important organ for multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Members serve as advisers for government, legislative and judicial organs and put forward proposals on major political and social issues.

During the Tuesday session, 79 academicians gave speeches providing advice on innovation and development, and government officials at the meeting responded.

Political adviser and quantum scientist Pan Jianwei said, "One problem facing our country at present is the limitation of key technologies. And the root of the problem is the lack of an innovative environment and mechanism."

He said the country should set up a complete financial system to encourage companies to directly invest in basic research in frontier fields and key technologies. A key problem is that many companies don't have an interest in investing in frontier science because it comes with uncertainties.

Other advice from academicians included reforming the evaluation mechanism of science and technology projects, keeping enterprises as the main body of innovation and supporting the building of innovation capacity in China's central and western areas.

State Councilor Wang Yong said: "The country will continue to deepen the reform of the science and technology system, carry out international cooperation in science and technology and cultivate an environment that encourages innovation and is tolerant of failure."

zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/15/2019 page4)