The 2026 Conference on Innovative Development of Private Economy, under the theme of "Innovation Gathers Momentum to Empower the Future", was held in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 9. Gao Yunlong, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), attended the conference and delivered a speech.

Gao pointed out that notable achievements in scientific and technological innovation have been made through accelerating the building of the modern industrial system and vigorously developing new quality productive forces. Under the guidance of the Party's principles and policies, private enterprises have strengthened the integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation and have become an important force in establishing a modern industrial system, Gao noted. He called on private enterprises to consolidate the industrial foundation and make sustained efforts to strengthen basic research and enhance capacity for original innovation, while taking the leading strategic position in cultivating future industries and blazing a trail in new fields. He also urged them to foster a sound industrial ecosystem, and shoulder the responsibilities in advancing technology for good and improving industrial governance.

The conference was jointly organized by the ACFIC and the Zhejiang provincial government. At the conference, the 2026 report on the innovation status of the top 1,000 private enterprises by research and development (R&D) investment was released, together with lists of private enterprises by R&D investment and invention patents, and cases of developing new quality productive forces. The Wenzhou Initiative for Enhancing Basic Research by Private Enterprises and the Initiative on Upgrading of Business Federation Standards were also released.

The launching ceremony of the Standard Innovation Week for the Private Economy was held during the event. Parallel sessions and surveys on well-known private enterprises supporting the high-quality development of Zhejiang province were also organized.

Wang Hao, secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech, while Liu Jie, deputy secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and governor of Zhejiang province, moderated the speech session.