New productive forces (Chinese: 新质生产力; pinyin: Xīn zhí shēngchǎnlì), also called new quality productive forces, is a political slogan promoted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was coined by Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a visit to Heilongjiang in 2023 to promote manufacturing and innovation in the Chinese economy.
History
editThe term was first mentioned by Chinese leader Xi Jinping during an inspection trip in Heilongjiang Province in September 2023,[1][2] where he for a new economic model based on innovation in advanced sectors and for China to "lead the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries".[3][4]
From 11 to 12 December 2023, during the Central Economic Work Conference, Xi said the "core of deepening supply-side structural reform is to promote industrial innovation through scientific and technological innovation, especially disruptive and cutting-edge technologies to spawn new industries, new models, new drivers, and develop new productive forces".[5]
On 5 March 2024, on the sidelines the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, Xi addressed deputies from Jiangsu Province, calling for local governments to develop new productive forces based on their local conditions in order prevent the formation of bubbles or adaptation of a single economic model.[6] He also said "developing new productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries" but rather to "use new technologies to transform and upgrade traditional sectors and actively promote high-end, intelligent and green industries".[4] On the same day, the State Council listed new productive forces as a top priority in a government report.[7]
In 2024, Xi'an University of Science and Technology established a "New Quality Productive Forces Research Center", to be led by university president Lai Xingping.[8] From Xi's first mention of the term in September 2023 to 1 May 2024, the term appeared on Chinese academic database CNKI 1,073 times.[9]
Overview
editThe New York Times describes the focus on new productive forces as increasing innovation and economic growth by large investments in manufacturing, especially on high-tech and clean energy sectors, as well as more spending on research and development.[10]
In March 2024, Xinhua News Agency said in contrast to "traditional productive forces" the new productive forces are an "advanced productivity that plays a leading role in innovation and breaks away from the traditional economic growth mode and productivity development path". It says it features "high technology, high efficiency, and high quality".[11][12]
State media has used it to refer to industries ranging from tourism to the "new three"; electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy.[4] Xi has said the test for new productive forces will be whether they will be able to generate improvements in total factor productivity. Xi also said the new productive forces will come from the application of science and technology to production.[13] Study Times of the Central Party School called the term as a development of the theory of the productive forces from Marxism and said it further enriches Xi Jinping Thought on Economics.[5]
References
edit- ^ Fan, Feifei; Xu, Wei (9 February 2024). "High-quality growth gets fresh boost". China Daily. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Xinhua Commentary: "New productive forces" a winning formula for China's future". Xinhua News Agency. 2023-09-21. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Pomfret, James; Yao, Kevin; Zhang, Ellen (6 March 2024). "China's Xi Jinping summons 'new productive forces', but old questions linger". Reuters. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Yu, Evelyn (5 March 2024). "Xi Wants 'New Productive Forces' to Fit Local Conditions". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b "习近平总书记强调的"新质生产力"" [The “new productive forces” emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping]. People's Daily. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Xi stresses developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions". Xinhua News Agency. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Hancock, Tom (11 March 2024). "Five Key Takeaways From China's Major Legislative Gathering". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "习近平提新质生产力 西安科大第一家成立"新质生产力"研究中心" [Xi Jinping promoted new quality production. Xi'an University of Science and Technology was the first to establish a "new quality productive forces" research center.]. Lianhe Zaobao. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Leahy, Joe (2024-05-01). "Why Xi Jinping is afraid to unleash China's consumers". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ Bradsher, Keith (2024-03-24). "China's Plan to Spur Growth: A New Slogan for Building Factories". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "习近平的新词"新质生产力"：这是"新瓶装旧酒"还是新方向" [Xi Jinping’s new term “new quality productive forces”: Is this “old wine in new bottles” or a new direction?]. BBC News. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "The connotative characteristics and development focus of new productive forces". Xinhua News Agency. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "How Xi Jinping plans to overtake America". The Economist. 31 March 2024. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-05-01.