Members of the Chairperson's Council of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee visited the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing for a study survey on March 26. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, was part of the survey team. 

The members received a briefing on the institute's latest research endeavors and toured its exhibition hall and humanoid robotics research center, gaining insights into the institute's history as well as the theories and applications related to humanoid robotics.

Following the visit, the Chairperson's Council members held discussions with participating CPPCC members and representatives of the CAS and the Institute of Automation.

Participants agreed that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has placed greater emphasis on technological innovation, implementing an innovation-driven development strategy, and deepening reforms in the science and technology sector. These efforts have led to significant progress in sci-tech self-reliance and self-development, with artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging industries seeing rapid growth, they noted. They also highlighted the progress made in high-quality development driven by innovation, which has brought historic achievements and transformations in China's sci-tech landscape.

They called for coordinated efforts in implementing the strategies of invigorating the country through science and education, developing a quality workforce, and driving development through innovation, in a bid to foster foundational and strategic pillars for Chinese modernization.

The CPPCC needs to leverage its role as a specialized consultative body to conduct in-depth research in key areas such as building an innovative country and advancing AI development and offer suggestions, so as to build consensus and pool wisdom and strength for promoting the development of a modernized industrial system and high-quality development, and meeting people's needs for a better life, they said.

CPPCC members from the science, technology and business sectors should capitalize on their expertise, focus on cutting-edge technological and industrial advancements, accelerate fundamental research and original innovation in AI, and promote the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation, contributing to developing new quality productive forces and building China into a great sci-tech power, they added.

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, along with other CPPCC National Committee vice-chairpersons Hu Chunhua, Shen Yueyue, Wang Yong, Gao Yunlong, Mu Hong, Xian Hui, Wang Dongfeng, Wang Guangqian and Yang Zhen, took part in the survey.