Two teenage visitors try out some new technology at an innovation exhibition held in Hong Kong on October 6, 2023. The expo mainly covers artificial intelligence, robotics applications, fintech, digital currencies and e-payment services, in order to promote the development of Hong Kong's new technological ecosystem. Photo: VCG

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has vowed to thoroughly implement innovation-driven development strategy and ramp up efforts to achieve core technology breakthroughs in key fields.

Ding made the remarks during a tour of Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province from Friday to Sunday, according to Xinhua News Agency. 

Ding visited the exhibition and exchange center in Hetao zone for sci-tech innovation cooperation during which he stated that sci-tech innovation should be built on institutional innovation.

Ding called for efforts to create an international scientific research and institutional environment which fosters openness at a high level. 

Ding visited Shenzhen-based DJI Technology Co, and was briefed on tech research and development progress and the business performance by company officials.

He said that it is necessary to strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, strengthen in-depth integration of industry, academia and research led by enterprises, and push for the coordinated innovation of the upstream and downstream industries and of the large, medium-sized and small enterprises, reported Xinhua. 

He also visited Pengcheng Laboratory, where he urged the laboratory to focus on key areas to carry out strategic, forward-looking and basic research, strengthen cooperation with universities, scientific research institutes, leading scientific and technological enterprises to form a collaborative innovation pattern.

He stressed the need for efforts to improve vocational education system to meet the needs of building a modern industrial system during a visit to the Shenzhen Polytechnic University.

On September 21, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged specialized and sophisticated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to advance technological innovation and specialize in niche sectors to play a bigger role in the country's self-reliance and strength in science and technology and stabilizing the industrial and supply chains, Xinhua reported. 

When inspecting a medical technology company in Beijing, Li commended the company's achievements in innovation and encouraged it to enhance the development of AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment technology to enable more people to benefit from advances in science and technology.

Li underscored the importance of self-reliance in crucial technologies and links and grasping the initiative of development during his visit to another company.

Chinese experts said that the integration of scientific and technological progress and industrial progress is creating new growth opportunities for China's economic development, as the economy is riding the wave of scientific and technological progress to achieve sustained prosperity and development

Global Times