TO UNDERSTAND CHINA

大众创业 万众创新 WIDESPREAD ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

At the Central Economic Work Meeting in December 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for efforts to create at policy and institutional levels an environment conducive to widespread entrepreneurship and innovation. Before that, Premier Li Keqiang had declared at the “Summer Davos” forum in Tianjin in September that China would encourage the widest possible participation in entrepreneurial activities and help unleash a massive wave of grassroots innovation.

Widespread entrepreneurship and innovation would be a new engine for China to upgrade the economy, making it more efficient. The axiom testifies to the leading role of the people and the need to tap into their unbounded creativity in full participation in China’s drive towards modernization and enjoyment of the reform dividend and the fruits of development. Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation would create more jobs, increase people’s income, boost social mobility and contribute to social equity and justice. Such measures would in turn encourage individuals to further pursue their ideals and realize their full potential while generating higher levels of wealth.

网络强国战略 THE “INTERNET POWER” STRATEGY

The “Internet Power” strategy aims to put China, a country with an extensive online presence, on track to becoming an Internet technology leader. The strategy was first proposed by Xi Jinping in February 2014. It calls for developing core Internet technologies, promoting a healthy cyber culture, strengthening IT infrastructure, improving talent management and expanding Internet-related international cooperation.

At its fifth plenary session in October 2015, the 18th CPC Central Committee incorporated the “Internet Power” strategy into the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), further clarifying its strategic importance. This move was prompted by a growing understanding of the need to pursue the development of information technology and the Internet and of the trends of modernization and globalization.

Under the 13th Five-Year Plan, China will step up efforts to encourage technological innovation, build a healthy cyber culture, strengthen infrastructure and cyber security, increase the use of information technology and expand international cooperation as part of its “Internet Power” strategy. The goal is to provide easy access to information technology infrastructure, enhance innovation, bolster the information economy and ensure cyber security.