How to improve the overall efficiency of national innovation system

Fully understand the great significance of improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system

Improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system is an important requirement to adapt to the new situation of scientific and technological innovation and development, and it is also important for building a strong country in science and technology and realizing the self-improvement of science and technologyIt is of great significance to strengthen ourselves and promote high-quality development.

First, improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system is an inevitable requirement for building a strong country in science and technology.Judging from the construction experience of major scientific and technological powers in the world, all of them have strong strategic scientific and technological strength, systematic and perfect policies and regulations, and strong ability to allocate innovative resources.And a good innovation culture, that is, a strong national innovation system has been established. At present, the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are advancing by leaps and bounds, the paradigm of scientific research is undergoing profound changes, disciplines are developing in an integrated way, and scientific and technological innovation has broken through the limitations of time, space, region and field. The overall planning ability, organizational ability and combat ability of scientific and technological innovation have become important factors that determine the effectiveness of scientific and technological innovation, and the national innovation system has become a new competition point for science and technology in all countries of the world. It is an inevitable choice to improve the overall efficiency of the national innovation system, effectively overcome the disadvantages of dispersion, inefficiency and repetition, and solve the problems of system layout, management system, operation mechanism and achievement evaluation.

Second, improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system is an important support for self-reliance and self-improvement of science and technology.To implement the strategy of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strengthen the ability of independent innovation is to firmly grasp the initiative of innovation and development in our own hands. Only by taking the road of independent innovation with China characteristics can we change the situation that key core technologies are controlled by people and ensure that China’s modernization process will not be delayed or even interrupted. Self-reliance in science and technology must enhance the overall efficiency of the national innovation system, lay a solid foundation in terms of strength building, resource allocation, infrastructure, scientific research platform, policies and regulations, technical standards, innovation ecology, and scientific and technological talents, strive to open up new fields and new tracks for development, and constantly shape new kinetic energy and new advantages for development.

Third, improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system is an inherent requirement for high-quality development.Report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out that "high-quality development is the primary task of building a socialist modern country in an all-round way". China has the most complete and largest industrial system and perfect supporting capacity in the world, but there are still many bottlenecks, such as the weak ability of scientific and technological innovation, the "bottleneck" of core technologies in some key areas, the lack of original achievements of "from 0 to 1" in basic research, the suppression and containment from outside may escalate at any time, and the risk of "decoupling" and "broken chain" is aggravated. To solve the bottleneck problem in China’s current economic and industrial development, the most fundamental thing is to rely on science and technology for self-reliance, give full play to the strong organizational mobilization of the national innovation system, organize scientific research, resolutely win the tough battle of key core technologies, ensure the safety of the industrial chain supply chain, improve the quality and level of the supply system, and provide strategic support for building a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development.

Important measures to improve the overall efficiency of national innovation system

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, China’s scientific and technological innovation has made historic achievements and changes, its scientific and technological strength has leapt to a new level, and the construction of the national innovation system has achieved remarkable results, providing strong support for scientific and technological self-reliance. The ranking of China’s global innovation index rose from 34th in 2012 to 11th in 2022. The supporting role of science and technology in promoting economic and social development, improving the country’s comprehensive strength and meeting the people’s growing needs for a better life has been significantly enhanced. The ratio of social R&D investment to GDP increased from 1.91% in 2012 to 2.44% in 2021, and the social R&D expenditure increased from 1 trillion yuan in 2012 to 2.8 trillion yuan in 2021, ranking second in the world. China has about 110 million scientific and technological human resources, and more than 23,000 societies have been established. The next five years will be a crucial period for building a socialist modernized country in an all-round way. According to the 20th Party Congress, we should base ourselves on the goal of building a world power in science and technology, implement various key measures, improve the overall efficiency of the national innovation system, and accelerate the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.

First, improve the system of unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over scientific and technological work.In the new era and new journey, we should take the supreme leader Socialism with Chinese characteristics Thought in the new era as the guide, firmly grasp the correct direction of scientific and technological innovation, and implement the Party’s leadership in all fields and aspects of scientific and technological undertakings. Improve the unified leadership system of the CPC Central Committee for scientific and technological innovation, improve the new nationwide system, strengthen overall planning and overall layout, mobilize the enthusiasm of the government, market and society, accelerate the gathering of innovative elements, optimize the allocation of innovative resources, enhance the capacity of scientific and technological innovation systems, and enhance the organizational strength of scientific and technological innovation.

The second is to build a new pattern of scientific and technological development in the new era.Guided by strengthening the national strategic scientific and technological strength, we will strengthen the overall coordination of various innovation subjects, enhance the overall efficiency of the national innovation system, and build a new pattern of scientific and technological development in the new era. Adhere to the "four orientations", strengthen top-level design, and optimize the positioning and layout of national strategic forces. Optimize financial input and focus on strategic and key areas. Guided by the national strategic needs, we will proactively deploy a number of strategic and reserve technology research and development projects, aim at the commanding heights of future science and technology and industrial development, carry out original and leading key core technology research, and strive to solve major scientific and technological problems that affect and restrict the overall development and long-term interests of the country. Focusing on the urgent and long-term needs of the country, we will speed up the implementation of a number of major national science and technology projects with strategic overall and forward-looking features, and enhance the ability of independent innovation. Strengthen the national strategic scientific and technological strength and build a national laboratory system with China characteristics. Strengthen the dominant position of scientific and technological innovation of enterprises and promote the deep integration of Industry-University-Research. Coordinate the construction of international science and technology innovation centers, national science centers and regional science and technology innovation centers, and build a large number of regional innovative highlands, innovative cities and regional innovation centers. Create a national-level scientific and technological innovation platform, guide the gathering of innovative elements, and form an organic whole. Strengthen scientific and technological strategic consultation and give play to the decision-making support role of national high-end think tanks and strategic scientists.

The third is to deepen the reform of the science and technology system.At present, major countries in the world are launching an institutional innovation competition, looking forward to improving innovation governance capacity and winning strategic initiative. The reform of China’s science and technology system should focus on breaking the deep-seated institutional and institutional obstacles, "loosening" talents, releasing innovation vitality and providing impetus for scientific and technological innovation. We will strengthen the system construction of "unveiling the list" and "horse racing" for major scientific and technological projects, give trust and greater autonomy, and free scientific researchers from the shackles of institutional mechanisms. We will build a new paradigm of scientific research, establish a cooperative system of Industry-University-Research’s use of gold, promote the formation of an innovation consortium, and open up the "last mile" of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. Innovate the talent evaluation mechanism, promote the establishment of a multi-layered evaluation mechanism, establish a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented to innovation ability, quality and contribution, establish a case base in clinical cases, scientific research instruments, engineering technology and other fields, and explore a talent evaluation mechanism oriented to typical case evaluation. Improve the social incentive system, so that those who have made outstanding contributions can gain both fame and fortune.

The fourth is to cultivate high-quality scientific and technological talents.Cultivating a large number of high-quality talents with both ability and political integrity is a long-term development plan for the country and the nation. Report to the 20th CPC National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out that it is necessary to "speed up the construction of national strategic talents, and strive to cultivate more masters, strategic scientists, first-class scientific and technological leaders and innovative teams, young scientific and technological talents, outstanding engineers, great craftsmen and highly skilled talents", which pointed out the direction for talent work. It is necessary to thoroughly implement the strategy of strengthening the country through talents, firmly establish the concept of talents leading development, accelerate the construction of information base for scientific and technological talents, and vigorously gather and cultivate high-level scientific and technological innovative talents. Relying on talent recommendation, academic exchange and award guidance, we will educate people for the party and the country. Build high-end academic exchange platforms such as the World Top Scientists Forum and the World Young Scientists Summit, promote the construction of world-class journals, promote the exchange of scientific ideas, and cultivate the growth of scientific and technological talents. In-depth understanding of the urgent difficulties and worries of scientific and technological workers, serving the party and the government in scientific decision-making.

The fifth is to cultivate innovative culture.Report to the 20th CPC National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out, "Cultivate innovative culture, carry forward the spirit of scientists, cultivate a fine style of study and create an innovative atmosphere". Innovation culture is fertile ground for scientific and technological innovation. Creating an innovation ecology and culture that respects labor, knowledge, talents and creation is the social foundation for improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system. Vigorously carry forward the spirit of scientists in the new era with patriotism, innovation, truth-seeking, dedication, cooperation and education as its connotation, stimulate the innovation passion and vitality of the majority of scientific and technological workers, and gather strong spiritual motivation for promoting China’s scientific and technological progress. A good academic environment is an important foundation for cultivating outstanding scientific and technological talents and stimulating the innovation vitality of scientific and technological workers. We should strengthen the in-depth interpretation of typical deeds and figures and normalize publicity and reporting, optimize the academic environment, promote scientific ethics, and create a good atmosphere in the whole society that encourages innovation, tolerates failure, and is honest and trustworthy. Strengthen the construction of national science popularization capacity, vigorously improve the scientific quality of the whole people, and strive to achieve the goal that the proportion of citizens with scientific quality will exceed 15% by 2025 and reach 25% by 2035, and plant fertile ground for scientific and technological innovation.

(author:Zhou wenbiao,Director of the General Office of China Association for Science and Technology)

Source: study times.