The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a consultative symposium with personages without party affiliation in Beijing on Sept 21.

CPPCC National Committee members engaged in consultative exchanges with leading officials from relevant departments on accelerating efforts to achieve high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

Wang Dongfeng, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the symposium and delivered a speech.

Wang stated that efforts should be made to thoroughly implement the plans and requirements for scientific and technological innovation outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), strengthen the layout of original innovation, promote the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent in a coordinated manner, and accelerate the innovative development of digital and intelligent technologies.

Wang stressed the need to fully leverage the strengths of different sectors and the leading role of CPPCC members, and to make coordinated efforts in theoretical study and on-the-ground innovation.

He also called on CPPCC members to propose targeted suggestions and build consensus on achieving greater sci-tech self-reliance and strength, and to translate intellectual resources into tangible outcomes that drive technological innovation and serve national strategies.

Leading officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology briefed the participants on relevant developments and responded to the concerns raised by CPPCC members.

Justin Yifu Lin, Zhang Lianqi and Huang Yuguang, members of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, as well as four members of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered speeches respectively on topics including the integrated development of scientific innovation and industrial innovation, the integrated development of the real economy and the digital economy, international exchanges and cooperation in the medical and health sector, and the innovation of digital and intelligent technologies.

Gao Hongjun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and vice-chairperson of the Committee on Proposals of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the symposium. Han Dongmei, vice-secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, was present at the symposium. Some Beijing-based CPPCC National Committee members without party affiliation attended the meeting.