by Xinhua writer Zheng Xin
HEFEI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- As China forges ahead with its commitment to high-quality development, the concept of new quality productive forces takes center stage, promising an era marked by breakthrough innovations and comprehensive sustainability.
Hefei, a city nestled in east China's Anhui Province, is scripting its own chapter in this story, aspiring to be a national model of excellence in the realm of new productivity.
Alongside a cohort of domestic and international journalists, a Xinhua reporter delved into the city's multifaceted developmental strategies, viewing it through the prism of green, blue, and red -- three emblematic colors that paint the rich tapestry of the burgeoning new quality productive forces.
THE BEDROCK GREEN OF ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
Green development is the base color of high-quality development, and new quality productive forces are inherently green.
Hefei is leading the way in legislative efforts to foster new quality productivity, currently seeking public input on relevant legislation.
The draft is designed to align the development of new quality productive forces with local conditions, expedite the province's emergence as a manufacturing leader marked by intelligence and green principles, and encourage industries to ascend to new heights of high-end, intelligent, and green development.
A critical aspect of this initiative is to steer enterprises toward enhancing energy and resource efficiency, fostering ecological improvement, and embracing energy-saving and emission reduction strategies.
This green shift is revitalizing traditional industries. The Anhui Forklift Group, founded in 1958, has not only elevated its environmental credentials but also bolstered its market presence through the innovation of electric and hydrogen-powered forklifts.
Yang Anguo, chairman of the company, credits the company's sustained profit growth to the enhancement of product technology and optimization of product structure.
"In alignment with the nation's '3060' strategy -- targeting carbon peak and neutrality -- we are steadfast in our commitment to a green and sustainable trajectory," he said. "This is more than a corporate duty; it is a proactive stance that has amplified our company's value."
THE FRONTIER BLUE OF TECH INNOVATION
Blue symbolizes the depth of technology and the boundless potential of innovation. Technological innovation can give rise to new industries, new models, and new drivers of growth, and is a core element in the development of new quality productive forces.
The burgeoning low-altitude economy, propelled by technological innovation, is experiencing rapid growth. EHang, a pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, is expected to launch commercial service of its drone taxis in the third quarter of this year, offering a new mode of urban transportation.
A report by a research institute under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China showed that the sector's value reached 505.95 billion yuan (about 71.32 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, with a robust growth rate of 33.8 percent, and is projected to surpass one trillion yuan by 2026.
In the spectrum of new quality productive forces, blue represents the breakthroughs and applications of cutting-edge technology. Hefei is at the forefront of developing five leading industry clusters: quantum information, aerospace technology, fusion energy, next-generation artificial intelligence (AI), and synthetic biology.
Hefei-headquartered iFlytek is a global leader in AI and voice technology solutions. The iFlytek Spark V3.5, the first large-scale model trained on a domestic computing platform, has outperformed GPT-4 Turbo in language understanding and mathematical ability. The anticipated release of iFlytek Spark V4.0 in June this year promises further advancements in AI capabilities.
Zhang Yun, deputy director of the Anhui's development and reform commission, highlights the province's strength in large scientific installations, which are among the best in China. Hefei's "artificial sun" and quantum computing prototypes have set new world records, reshaping our vision of future energy and computational power.
THE PROSPEROUS RED OF OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA
Red symbolizes passion, vitality, and wealth. China's dedication to fostering new quality productive forces and achieving high-quality development is creating a market brimming with opportunities for investors and an expansive vista for future growth.
China's booming new energy vehicle sector exemplifies how technological innovation and industrial upgrades are driving the growth of new quality productive forces. Foreign investors recognize the significant potential that these trends offer.
Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. (VCTC), the largest research and development (R&D) center outside Volkswagen Group's German headquarters, has selected Hefei for its focus on intelligent connected vehicles.
VCTC commenced operations in January this year, with the goal of reducing the R&D cycle for the group's new products and technologies by 30 percent.
In an industry where time is currency, Hefei's comprehensive automotive industry chain is distinguished by its remarkable build-to-operate time and an enabling business environment, impressing foreign investment with "China speed." Continental AG, with its rich heritage as a global automotive parts leader, has seized these opportunities, much as the Chinese saying goes, "A fine horse deserves a fine saddle."
Jeff Wang, general manager of Continental China, said, "The new energy vehicle market in China is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. What we are doing is trying to really fit ourselves into this trend."
The German company has made one of its biggest investments in Anhui, aimed at expanding its production capacity. "Our proactive measures have positioned us to reap the benefits of our foresight and readiness," Wang noted.
With its vibrant mix of ecological consciousness, technological breakthroughs, and market vitality, Hefei's story is a compelling chapter in the broader narrative of China's push for new quality productive forces. Hefei's efforts toward setting an example in China also capture the attention of the world.
It's an exciting time for Hefei, and the best is yet to come. ■
