Breaking News | The CPC Central Committee and the State Council Have Released the Top-Level Design for New-Generation Productive Forces

Recently, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the “Opinions on Developing New‑Type Productive Forces” (hereinafter referred to as the “Opinions”). At a press conference answering questions about the document, a responsible official from the National Development and Reform Commission pointed out that, after a three‑year interval, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have once again released such an opinion, aiming to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important remarks, provide scientific guidance for high‑quality economic and social development during the 15th Five‑Year Plan period, and promptly correct emerging issues—such as unrealistic planning and blind, herd‑like investment—that have surfaced in practice. The Opinions adhere to dialectical thinking and a systems‑based approach, placing “vigorously advancing scientific and technological innovation” as the top priority, while coordinating efforts to tackle key core technologies and build strategic scientific and technological forces. They emphasize promoting deep integration between technological innovation and industrial innovation by transforming and upgrading traditional industries, fostering and expanding emerging industries, and proactively laying out future‑oriented industries. At the same time, the document underscores the importance of fully implementing the “AI Plus” initiative, highlighting artificial intelligence as a strategic technology leading a new round of scientific and technological revolution in the digital economy era, serving as a core pillar for developing new‑type productive forces and building a modern industrial system, and requiring sustained, focused efforts as a long‑term, complex systems engineering endeavor. The Opinions also call for actively advancing the energy revolution, focusing on achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals by constructing a power system with a high share of renewable energy and establishing a green, low‑carbon, circular economy. Furthermore, they advocate coordinated reforms of institutional mechanisms and talent development, providing fundamental guidelines and actionable roadmaps to accelerate the formation of production relations aligned with new‑type productive forces.

The lighting industry is an important component of China’s real economy and manufacturing sector, and driving the development of new‑type productive forces is key to its transformation and upgrading. The entire industry must deeply understand the spirit and basic principles of the Opinions, adhering to the principle of “establish first, then dismantle,” tailoring approaches to local conditions, and avoiding blind imitation or low‑level redundant construction. It should leverage technological innovation to lead industrial upgrading, accelerate digital and green transformations, and deepen energy conservation, carbon reduction, and green manufacturing initiatives; actively integrate into the “AI Plus” initiative, expand new application scenarios such as smart lighting and healthy lighting, and vigorously advance the energy revolution, propelling the traditional lighting industry toward high‑end, intelligent, and mid‑to‑high value‑chain development. By further innovating institutional mechanisms and strengthening talent teams, the industry can unite its strengths, consolidate the foundation of the real economy, and make a solid contribution to China’s high‑quality development. The full text of the Opinions is as follows:

Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Developing New‑Type Productive Forces

Developing new‑type productive forces is both an intrinsic requirement and a crucial focus for promoting high‑quality development. To accelerate this process, the following opinions are hereby put forward.

I. Overall Requirements

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and all plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, earnestly carry out the arrangements made at the Fourth Plenary Session, fully, accurately, and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy, and uphold the principles of innovation‑driven growth, reform‑oriented progress, adaptation to local conditions, and “establish first, then dismantle.” We will pursue high‑tech, high‑efficiency, and high‑quality outcomes, properly balancing government and market, quality and form, reform and development, autonomy and openness, and ensuring both development and security. With technological innovation as the guiding force and a substantial increase in total factor productivity as the core indicator, we will strive for revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, innovative allocation of production factors, and profound transformation and upgrading of industries. We will optimize and upgrade the combination and qualitative leap of laborers, means of production, and objects of labor, comprehensively advancing innovation in science and technology, industry, development models, institutional mechanisms, and talent management systems. This will help us quickly establish production relations better suited to new‑type productive forces, foster a favorable ecosystem for the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, and provide stronger support for high‑quality development.

II. Vigorously Advancing Scientific and Technological Innovation

(1) Strengthen original, disruptive scientific and technological innovation. We will remain committed to addressing the forefront of global science and technology, the main battlefields of the economy, major national needs, and people’s health and well‑being, focusing on strategic, landmark, and leading‑edge products through major science and technology projects. Balancing goal‑oriented research with free exploration, we will address weaknesses in technical and engineering sciences via organized basic and applied basic research, while supporting free‑exploration‑style basic research to pioneer new frontiers. We will coordinate the construction of science and technology innovation platforms and bases, systematically plan and build major scientific infrastructure, strengthen open sharing, and avoid duplication and fragmentation. We will implement plans to break through barriers in foundational disciplines and interdisciplinary fields, and intensify research on original theories, key common technologies, cutting‑edge leading technologies, modern engineering technologies, and disruptive innovations.

(2) Accelerate breakthroughs in critical core technologies. Leveraging the advantages of the new national system, we will organize and implement actions to promote high‑quality development of key industrial chains and drive industrial innovation in priority sectors, reinforcing whole‑chain problem‑solving, comprehensive resource support, and holistic ecosystem building. We will effectively implement policies for the first unit or batch of applications, facilitating technological iteration and upgrades.

(3) Coordinate the development of national strategic scientific and technological forces. National laboratories will play a pivotal role in organizing major national science and technology projects and building key national innovation platforms, while pioneering reforms of institutional mechanisms. Guided by national strategic needs, we will optimize the positioning and layout of national research institutions, high‑level research universities, and leading technology enterprises. Gradually, we will establish salary systems for universities and research institutes that stimulate innovation, align with knowledge value, ensure effective management, and balance incentives, concurrently advancing reforms of national research institutions and high‑level research universities to boost the enthusiasm of researchers and research organizations. We will allow research‑related public institutions to adopt more flexible management regimes. Leading technology enterprises will continue to play a critical role in driving the deep integration of innovation chains, industrial chains, financial chains, and talent chains.

(4) Reinforce the primary role of enterprises in technological innovation. We will enhance inclusive incentive policies, establish corporate R&D reserve funds, and strengthen the dominant role of enterprise investment in science and technology. Small and medium‑sized tech‑focused enterprises will be encouraged to increase R&D spending, with higher tax deductions for R&D expenses. Enterprise R&D projects aligned with national strategic needs will be elevated to national projects through proper procedures, encouraging enterprises to take the lead on national science and technology tasks and supporting capable private firms to spearhead major national technological challenges. A mechanism for user‑based evaluation of results will be established to reinforce enterprises’ status as the main agents of technology transfer. State‑owned enterprises will be supported in advancing original innovation. Specialized, refined, and novel SMEs will also receive assistance.

(5) Accelerate the translation of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces. Capitalizing on the advantages of our ultra‑large market, we will promote efficient connections between technology and markets, enabling large‑scale development of new‑type productive forces. We will launch demonstration campaigns for the widespread application of new technologies, new products, and new scenarios, set up concept validation and pilot‑scale verification platforms, and intensify efforts to develop and open up application scenarios. We will explore establishing a full‑process evaluation mechanism for science and technology projects, integrating R&D and commercialization tasks at the project initiation stage and assessing practical application performance upon completion, thereby resolving the disconnect between technology development and its commercialization. Universities and research institutes will be guided to license their scientific and technological achievements to small and micro enterprises under a pay‑after‑use model. Large enterprises will be encouraged to open their supply chains to small and micro businesses, supporting them as key drivers of technology commercialization. Artificial intelligence will lead a paradigm shift in research practices, helping to improve research efficiency.

III. Promoting Deep Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation

(6) Transform and upgrade traditional industries. Safeguarding the foundation of the real economy, we will consolidate and expand the hard power of Made in China. Using national standards to guide the optimization and upgrading of traditional industries, we will support enterprises in adopting digital and green technologies to transform and upgrade these sectors. We will organize targeted initiatives to elevate the quality and competitiveness of key industries—including mining, metallurgy, chemicals, light industry, textiles, machinery, shipbuilding, and construction—within the global division of labor. Major projects will include rebuilding industrial foundations, tackling critical technological equipment, carrying out large‑scale technological upgrades in manufacturing, and replacing outdated machinery. Financial support for technological transformation of manufacturing enterprises will be strengthened, with tax incentives for related investments, promoting digital transformation, and developing smart manufacturing, green manufacturing, and service‑oriented manufacturing. We will enhance quality‑related technical capabilities and bolster brand building. A new round of initiatives will be launched to boost grain production capacity by hundreds of billions of jin, revitalize the seed industry, advance smart agriculture, improve the quality of agricultural machinery, modernize facility agriculture, and strengthen agricultural science and technology infrastructure, fostering new forms such as agricultural factories. Service‑sector expansion and quality‑enhancement campaigns will be carried out, with sector‑specific measures to extend productive services toward specialization and higher value chains, while promoting high‑quality, diversified, and convenient lifestyle services.

(7) Foster and expand emerging industries. We will work to create new pillar industries, accelerating the development of strategic emerging sectors such as next‑generation information technology, new energy, new materials, intelligent connected new‑energy vehicles, robotics, biopharmaceuticals, high‑end equipment, and aerospace. Tailored strategies will be developed to build distinctive, complementary clusters of emerging industries, encouraging resource aggregation, concentration of key players, integration of results, and collaborative division of labor. We will deepen intra‑industry and intra‑product specialization, promote cross‑industry and cross‑regional integration, and prevent “involution‑style” competition. Cross‑regional industrial collaboration mechanisms will be established, led by industrial chains and driven by enterprises, supporting eastern regions in catalyzing the development of emerging industries in central, western, and northeastern areas. Subject to safety considerations, we will promote the healthy and orderly development of the low‑altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.

(8) Proactively lay out future‑oriented industries. Exploring diverse technological pathways, typical application scenarios, viable business models, and regulatory frameworks, we will advance the development of quantum technology, bio‑manufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain‑computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, sixth‑generation mobile communications, and other future industries, working to establish relatively complete industrial ecosystems. Mechanisms for increasing investment in future industries and sharing risks will be established, making full use of existing fiscal policies to support their development and guiding private capital to continuously increase contributions.

(9) Promote deep integration between the real economy and the digital economy. We will improve systems for recognizing data ownership, regulating market transactions, allocating rights, and protecting interests, conducting pilot demonstrations related to data elements, and fully unlocking the potential of data as a production factor. We will optimize the layout and operation of national data infrastructure, carry out extensive digital transformation of manufacturing, implement projects such as “East Data, West Computing,” smart manufacturing, and industrial internet innovation, and build a nationwide integrated computing network and a national blockchain network. We will refine policies to promote both digital industrialization and industrial digitization, creating internationally competitive digital industry clusters.

(10) Fully implement the “AI Plus” initiative. We will advance AI‑driven transformation of traditional industries, accelerate the adoption of intelligent connected new‑energy vehicles, AI‑enabled smartphones and computers, humanoid robots, and other next‑generation smart terminal applications. We will speed up innovations in AI‑related digital technologies, breaking through foundational theories and core technologies, and strengthening the efficient supply of computing power, algorithms, and data. Based on local conditions and sector‑specific strategies, we will establish national pilot bases for AI applications and high‑value scenario deployments, vigorously promoting AI across various industries. A technical monitoring, risk early warning, and emergency response system will be built to ensure AI remains safe, reliable, and controllable.

IV. Focusing on Innovating Development Models

(11) Build a green, low‑carbon, circular economy. Strengthen green manufacturing, develop green services, and expand the green energy industry. Combining source reduction, process control, and end‑of‑pipe efficiency, we will coordinate green transformations across key industries, accelerate green technological innovation and the promotion of advanced green technologies. Incentive mechanisms for green consumption will be improved, with enhanced certification and labeling systems for green products, raising overall green consumption levels and using green consumption to drive the supply of green products. A number of zero‑carbon factories and industrial parks will be constructed. Comprehensive resource management and total‑quantity conservation systems will be refined, along with robust waste recycling frameworks.

(12) Optimize the policy toolkit for green development. Implement fiscal, financial, investment, pricing, technological, and environmental policies that promote green, low‑carbon development. Mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products will be improved, with dual controls over total carbon emissions and emission intensity being fully enforced, alongside sound systems for carbon emission accounting, standard measurement, product carbon labeling, and carbon footprint management. The national carbon market will serve as the main platform for refining carbon pricing mechanisms, expanding coverage of the national carbon emissions trading market, optimizing quota allocation schemes, accelerating the development of voluntary greenhouse gas reduction markets, and improving the unified national green certificate market. Financial institutions will be encouraged to offer a wider range of green financial products. Government green procurement policies will be refined, and the green tax system will be improved. Agricultural subsidy programs oriented toward ecological sustainability will be implemented.

(13) Actively advance the energy revolution. Focusing on achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, we will orderly develop advanced nuclear fission energy, construct power systems with a high share of renewable energy, refine policies for absorbing and regulating new energy sources, organize major scenario demonstrations and promotions, and accelerate the greening of energy consumption, supply, technology, and institutional frameworks across society, strengthening international cooperation in all aspects.

V. Steadily Advancing Institutional Mechanism Innovation

(14) Deepen reforms to closely integrate science and technology with the economy. Science and technology tasks will be deployed as needed within major national projects, with demand‑driven topic selection, consistent responsibility‑rights management, and application‑oriented evaluation systems. Reforms to empower officials with scientific and technological achievements and separate asset management will be deepened. Eligible state‑owned enterprises will be allowed to implement various forms of incentives. An open, shared, and secure national integrated data market will be established, along with efficient markets for technology transfer, facilitating the smooth aggregation and flow of advanced, high‑quality production factors.

(15) Improve market regulation systems. Market access rules will be refined, with stronger antitrust and anti‑unfair competition measures. Governance in areas such as AI and biotechnology will be strengthened. Cross‑departmental joint supervision will be intensified, with innovative regulatory approaches reducing on‑site inspections and exploring “data‑driven decision‑making and management” models, elevating the level of comprehensive interdepartmental supervision. An efficient, integrated intellectual property management system will be established, along with a punitive damages regime. Tax systems adapted to new business forms will be studied.

(16) Increase the supply of innovative financial products. Angel investment, venture capital, and private equity will be encouraged and regulated, with government investment funds playing a greater guiding and catalytic role. Policies supporting early, small, long‑term, and hard‑tech investments will be refined, bolstering patient capital. Banks will be encouraged to develop loan products tailored to the characteristics of new‑type productive forces. The bond product lineup for technological innovation will be enriched, supporting high‑quality tech companies seeking IPO financing, and optimizing M&A, restructuring, and equity‑incentive systems for tech firms. Insurance products covering the entire technological innovation chain will be developed, with explorations into technology leasing and related services.

(17) Allocate advanced production factors globally. Expand high‑level opening‑up policies, tapping into global markets. Free trade pilot zones will be encouraged to leverage their locational advantages, resource endowments, and industrial strengths to attract domestic and foreign advanced production factors. Various multilateral and bilateral cooperation mechanisms will be utilized to promote co‑built science parks, Belt and Road joint laboratories, international centers for advancing cutting‑edge technologies, and other platforms, proactively constructing global networks of innovation cooperation. Lead and actively participate in major international science programs and projects. Foreign venture capital firms and international standards organizations will be encouraged to come to China for development. Efficient, convenient, and secure mechanisms for cross‑border data flows will be established.

VI. Deepening Talent Management System Innovation

(18) Cultivate urgently needed talent for developing new‑type productive forces. Integrate education, science, and technology, and reform institutional mechanisms in tandem. Higher education will be upgraded and expanded, with new types of research universities developed, and university discipline and specialty settings adjusted according to industrial and technological trends. Modern vocational education will be promoted, with a comprehensive, work‑integrated skills training model. Talent will be forged through hands‑on experience. Enterprises and universities will be encouraged to jointly customize talent‑training programs, supporting master craftsmen and highly skilled workers who also serve as internship instructors at vocational schools. Public outreach on science and technology will play a vital role in enhancing worker qualifications.

(19) Refine policies governing talent use and mobility. Tax incentives will be implemented, lifelong vocational skill training systems will be improved, and manufacturing talent support programs and professional knowledge‑updating projects for specialized personnel will be carried out, supporting employers in cultivating talent. Efforts will be accelerated to decouple the assessment and reward systems for researchers from their routine duties—such as submitting projects, publishing papers, and receiving awards—to prevent simple salary, title, and benefit determinations based solely on “hats” of talent. Various hidden barriers will be swiftly removed, unblocking channels for talent exchanges among universities, research institutes, and enterprises. A new “eight‑grade worker” occupational skill rating system will be established, smoothing upward mobility for industrial workers.

VII. Strengthening Implementation and Organization

All regions and relevant departments must operate under the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, reinforcing the mindset of “one national chessboard,” adhering to local conditions, strengthening categorized guidance and prioritizing key areas, and optimizing major productive force layouts. Upholding the principle of “establish first, then dismantle,” pursuing steady progress without deviating from reality, avoiding speculative ventures, excessive ambition, or bubble‑forming tendencies, and preventing hollowing out or fragmentation of industries, while refraining from blindly chasing novelty at the expense of other priorities. Leaders at all levels must cultivate and practice a correct view of political achievements, explore development paths grounded in reality, and strictly prohibit any misuse of policies under the guise of developing new‑type productive forces. Those responsible for reckless, mass‑mobilization‑style investments or other actions causing significant losses will face serious accountability. Interdepartmental coordination and synergy must be strengthened to form a united working force. The Central Financial Office and the National Development and Reform Commission will coordinate theoretical research, strategic planning, cross‑regional and cross‑departmental coordination, and ongoing tracking, monitoring, and evaluation efforts. Experiences and best practices will be summarized promptly, with vigorous publicity and promotion to foster a positive atmosphere. Major matters will be reported to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in accordance with established procedures.

Article reprinted from: China Lighting Fixture Association

Source: Xinhua News Agency