A team from the Committee on Education, Science, Health and Sports of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee visited Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from April 11 to 13 to survey the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Zhu Yongxin, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and executive vice-chairman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy Central Committee, led the team, which focused on how AI can better serve China's strategic priorities.

The team visited a number of Hangzhou's leading technology enterprises, known as the city's "Six Little Dragons" (DeepSeek, Unitree Robotics, BrainCo, Game Science, Deep Robotics and Manycore Tech), to learn about latest progress in AI development. The team also visited hospitals, automobile manufacturers and high-tech enterprises to survey the application of AI in different scenarios and in driving industrial innovation. 

The team also talked with officials from relevant government departments and enterprise executives to gain a deeper understanding of Zhejiang's progress in leveraging AI to serve China's four strategic priorities: the global frontier of science and technology, the high-quality development of the economy, the major needs of the country, and the health and safety of the people.

The team stressed the need to better translate AI advances into practical productivity by aligning AI development with national priorities. They called for efforts to foster a favorable business environment and innovation ecosystem, promote the role of enterprises as key drivers in scientific and technological innovation, and advance the "AI+" initiative to further integrate scientific and industrial innovation.

In addition, they underscored the unique role of the CPPCC as a specialized consultative body, advocating for in-depth research, practical proposals, and forward-looking strategies to help address key issues and challenges in the AI field.