Chinese President Xi Jinping said that breaking through critical technologies has become a matter of "great urgency," as the country must keep the lifeline of science and technology firmly in its own hands in the course of development, as he paid a visit to a laser company in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, according to the Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday. 

During the visit to HGLaser Engineering Co, Xi stressed that China must give full play to the advantages of new national system as well as adhere to a problem-oriented policy direction to speed up achieving scientific and technological self-reliance, Xinhua reported. 

The President said that China must foster more advanced technologies and sectors, blaze new spheres of economic development, and create new advantages in international competition. In a word, the country should "keep the lifeline of science and technology firmly in China's own hands" and ensure development is more independent, self-reliant and secure, he said. 

The President also highlighted the optoelectronic information industry in Wuhan, saying that it is a strategic high-tech industry with a wide scope of application and an industry in which China has the conditions to first achieve technological breakthroughs, according to Xinhua.

He noted that the Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone is no follower of others in developing the optoelectronic information industry, encouraging local companies to strengthen technological research and development breakthroughs, grasp more critical technologies whose intellectual property rights are owned by China, as well as perfect industrial chains to make a stronger contribution to pushing China's optoelectronic information industry to develop at a faster speed. 

According to Xinhua, Xi listened to an overview of Hubei's development of optoelectronic information industry and critical technology breakthroughs during his visit, as well as observing a display of the local chip industry's innovative results.

HGLaser Engineering Co is a provider of laser equipment and intelligent manufacturer solutions, the company's official website noted. The company is also the core subsidiary of listed firm HGTECH. In 2021, HGTECH saw its sales revenues surge 65.7 percent on a yearly basis to 10.2 billion yuan ($1.5 billion), while its net profits rose 38.24 percent to 761 million yuan. 

Global Times