BRICS Summit Coverage - Xi Meets Leaders of Bangladesh, Senegal, Ethiopia & Cuba - CPPCC Members Discuss Innovation
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Page 1: The front page today is about Xi Jinping’s engagements in Johannesburg. The top story is based on Xi’s speech at the BRICS summit. I am going to refer to the speech directly. The English version is available on the MoFA website.
Xi said:
“We gather at a time when the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. It is undergoing major shifts, division and regrouping, leading to more uncertain, unstable and unpredictable developments. BRICS is an important force in shaping the international landscape. We choose our development paths independently, jointly defend our right to development, and march in tandem toward modernization. This represents the direction of the advancement of human society, and will profoundly impact the development process of the world. Our track record shows that we have consistently acted on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and taken BRICS cooperation to new heights in support of our five countries’ development. We have upheld fairness and justice in international affairs, stood up for what is right on major international and regional issues, and enhanced the voice and influence of emerging markets and developing countries. BRICS countries invariably advocate and practice independent foreign policies. We always address major international issues based on their merits, making fair remarks and taking fair actions. We do not barter away principles, succumb to external pressure, or act as vassals of others. We BRICS countries share extensive consensus and common goals. No matter how the international situation changes, our commitment to cooperation since the very beginning and our common aspiration will not change. We gather at a crucial time to build on our past achievements and open up a new future for BRICS cooperation. We should navigate the trend of our times and stay in the forefront. We should always bear in mind our founding purpose of strengthening ourselves through unity, enhance cooperation across the board, and build a high-quality partnership. We should help reform global governance to make it more just and equitable, and bring to the world more certainty, stability and positive energy.”
He then made four points:
On Economic cooperation: “We BRICS countries should be fellow companions on the journey of development and revitalization, and oppose decoupling and supply chains disruption as well as economic coercion…China will set up a China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era to support the deployment of innovation results. Under the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation mechanism, we will explore the establishment of a BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform to provide data support for agriculture, ecological conservation and disaster reduction in various countries. China will also work with all parties to jointly establish a BRICS Framework on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development as a platform of industrial coordination and project cooperation in implementing the United Nations (U.N.) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Expand political and security cooperation to uphold peace and tranquility: “The Cold War mentality is still haunting our world, and the geopolitical situation is getting tense. All nations long for a sound security environment. International security is indivisible. Attempts to seek absolute security at the expense of others will eventually backfire. The Ukraine crisis has evolved to where it is today because of complex reasons. What is pressing now is to encourage peace talks, promote deescalation, end the fighting, and realize peace. No one should add fuel to the fire to worsen the situation. BRICS countries should keep to the direction of peaceful development, and consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership. We need to make good use of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Meeting of High Representatives on National Security and other mechanisms, support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and enhance coordination on major international and regional issues. We need to tender good offices on hotspot issues, pushing for political settlement and lowering the temperature. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new area of development. BRICS countries have agreed to launch the AI Study Group of BRICS Institute of Future Networks at an early date. We need to enable the Study Group to play its full role, further expand cooperation on AI, and step up information exchange and technological cooperation. We need to jointly fend off risks, and develop AI governance frameworks and standards with broad-based consensus, so as to make AI technologies more secure, reliable, controllable and equitable.”
People to people exchanges and civilisational exchanges: “China would like to propose that BRICS countries expand cooperation on education, enhance the role of the BRICS alliance for vocational education, explore and set up a cooperation mechanism on digital education, and foster a paradigm of all-round cooperation on education. In addition, we also need to strengthen exchanges on traditional cultures and promote the renewal of fine traditional cultures.”
Uphold fairness and justice and improve global governance: “International rules must be written and upheld jointly by all countries based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscles or the loudest voice. Ganging up to form exclusive groups and packaging their own rules as international norms are even more unacceptable. BRICS countries should practice true multilateralism, uphold the U.N.-centered international system, support and strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and reject the attempt to create small circles or exclusive blocs. We need to fully leverage the role of the New Development Bank, push forward reform of the international financial and monetary systems, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries. I am glad to see the growing enthusiasm of developing countries about BRICS cooperation, and quite a number of them have applied to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. We need to act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation to bring more countries into the BRICS family, so as to pool our wisdom and strength to make global governance more just and equitable.”
(Comment: This is a rather underwhelming speech. It is noteworthy that Xi Jinping has not mentioned any of his key international initiatives during the speech. There’s no mention of BRI, GDI, GSI or GCI, although the speech was still framed with those in mind. For instance, the first three of the four points that I have highlighted above basically coincide with the ideas encapsulated within GDI, GSI and GCI. Also worth noting is the bit about the need to bring more countries into the BRICS fold and the remarks around attributes of BRICS countries. Anyway, let’s wait and see what’s finally agreed upon with regard to expansion in the BRICS declaration today.)
Anyway, the lead story in PD basically reiterates these points from Xi’s speech and then offers this summary of what others said.
“Ramaphosa, Lula, Putin, and Modi spoke highly about the positive progress achieved by the BRICS cooperation mechanism. All parties believe that due to geopolitical conflicts, global economic difficulties, and other factors, emerging markets and developing countries are facing increasingly serious challenges such as poverty, inequality, and injustice, and the road to achieving sustainable development goals remains arduous. The BRICS countries are committed to deepening strategic partnerships, promoting global peace, stability, and equitable development. More than 20 countries have applied to join the BRICS, fully demonstrating the vitality, attractiveness, and strategic value of the BRICS cooperation mechanism in international affairs. The BRICS countries should strengthen unity; continue to uphold the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation; accelerate the BRICS expansion process; promote the reform of global governance system in a more inclusive, fair and reasonable direction; revitalize and reform the multilateral system; and advance the process of global multipolarity, bringing it more in line with the interests of developing countries representing the majority of the world's population. The BRICS countries should support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and respect each country’s independent choice of a modernization path that suits its own national conditions. The international financial system should not become a tool for geopolitical competition. Efforts should be made to accelerate the reform of the international financial and monetary system, enhance the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries, promote sustainable development and inclusive growth, and benefit the people of the five countries and the majority of developing countries.” 拉马福萨、卢拉、普京、莫迪高度评价金砖合作机制取得的积极进展。各方认为，受地缘政治冲突、世界经济困难等影响，新兴市场国家和发展中国家面临日益严重的贫穷、不平等、不公平等挑战，实现可持续发展目标任重道远。金砖国家致力于深化战略伙伴关系，促进全球和平稳定和公平发展。20多个国家申请加入金砖，充分彰显了金砖合作机制的生命力、吸引力以及在国际事务中的战略价值。金砖国家应该加强团结，继续秉持开放包容、合作共赢精神，加速金砖扩员进程，推动全球治理体系变革朝着更加包容、更加公平、更加合理的方向发展，重振并改革多边体制，推进世界多极化进程，使之更加符合代表世界大多数人民的发展中国家利益。金砖国家应该在涉及彼此核心利益问题上相互支持，尊重各国自主选择符合本国国情的现代化道路。国际金融体系不应成为地缘政治竞争的工具，应该加快推动国际金融货币体系改革，提高新兴市场国家和发展中国家的代表性和发言权，推动实现可持续发展和包容性增长，造福五国和广大发展中国家人民。
I am now going to look at the other leaders’ speeches. Let’s begin with Vladimir Putin.
“We are all united in our commitment to shaping a multipolar world order with genuine justice, based on the international law and in keeping with the key principles set forth in the UN Charter, including sovereignty and respecting the right of every nation to follow its own development model. We oppose hegemonies of any kind and the exceptional status that some countries aspire to, as well as the new policy it entails, a policy of continued neo-colonialism.”
After this, he basically spent time blaming the US for the war in Ukraine, saying that “Russia decided to side with people who are fighting for their culture, their traditions, language and future. Stopping the war unleashed by the West and its satellites in Ukraine against the people of Donbass is the only thing that defines our actions in Ukraine.”
He then talked about specific BRICS mechanisms:
The partner countries are successfully implementing their Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025. In particular, they are strengthening five-sided cooperation in such areas as diversification of supply chains, de-dollarisation and the transition to national currencies in mutual transactions, digital economy, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and fair technology transfer.
We believe that the time has come to establish a permanent BRICS transport commission, which would deal not only with the North-South project, but also on a broader scale with the development of logistics and transport corridors, interregional and global. If our partners agree, the Russian side could work on this idea as part of its BRICS chairmanship in 2024.
We expect cooperation as part of the BRICS initiative to establish an international infrastructure network with a dedicated fund, which could be used to support and develop it. Russia stands ready to share the experience it has and the best practices, including in digital transformation and using artificial intelligence.
We are also committed to active involvement in implementing the agreements to set up a joint working group on nuclear medicine, and are interested in finding real-world applications for the BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation Alliance.
Russia will assume the BRICS Chairmanship next year. Its motto will be Strengthening Multilateralism for Justice in Global Development and Security. We intend to hold about 200 events on political, economic and social matters in over ten Russian cities. We expect to hold the BRICS Summit in October 2024 in Kazan, and will coordinate the exact dates with our colleagues through diplomatic channels.
He then talked about Russian priorities. The key bits, as per my understanding, are:
“We will attach primary importance to the urgent tasks such as fighting terrorism and the spread of terrorist ideology, as well as countering money laundering and recovering criminal assets.”
“We will facilitate the further comprehensive implementation of the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy until 2025 and the development of new long-term cooperation guidelines. As we see it, they should include efforts to enhance our states’ role in the international monetary and financial system, develop interbank cooperation, expand the use of national currencies, and promote collaboration between tax, customs, and anti-monopoly agencies.”
Cooperation in science and innovations, healthcare, education, and humanitarian ties.
On expansion, all Putin said was that Russia would do its best to implement decisions adopted at this summit.
Let me now turn to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks. He began by highlighting some of BRICS’ achievements, and then he made a few suggestions.
Cooperation in the field of space: “We are already working on the BRICS satellite constellation. Taking it a step further, we can consider creating a BRICS Space Exploration Consortium. Under this, we can work for global good in areas like space research, weather monitoring.”
Cooperation in education, skill development and technology: Under this, he basically offered to share Indian platforms with BRICS partners. These platforms include DIKSHA i.e. Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing platform to provide education to the children of remote and rural areas; Bhashini, an AI-based language platform; CoWIN, India’s vaccination platform; and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure i.e. India Stack.
Skills mapping to identify each other's strengths.
Protection of big cats under the International Big Cat Alliance
Traditional medicine cooperation through creating a repository of traditional medicine
He then talked about how the countries of the Global South have been given a special importance in BRICS, under the chairmanship of South Africa. And then said that “India has given top priority to this topic under its G-20 presidency. Our effort is to move forward together with all the countries on the motto of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. 125 countries participated in the Voice of Global South summit held in January this year, sharing their concerns and priorities. We have also proposed to give permanent membership of G-20 to the African Union. I am sure all the BRICS partners are also together in the G20. And all will support our proposal. Giving special place to all these efforts in BRICS will increase the self-confidence of the countries of the Global South. Excellencies, India fully supports the expansion of the BRICS membership. And welcomes moving forward with consensus in this.”
(Comment: It’s worth noting that Modi’s remarks said nothing about multipolarity, the changing of the world order, or any language that signifies confrontation with others or an alternative to existing systems, etc. There is also nothing in there about de-dollarisation or trade in local currencies. It is all about what the BRICS has done tangibly and what more it can do tangibly, along with support for the Global South.)
In his remarks, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that “BRICS stands for solidarity and for progress. BRICS stands for inclusivity and a more just, equitable world order. BRICS stands for sustainable development.” He added: “We are an inclusive formation of developing and emerging economies that are working together to benefit from our rich histories, cultures and systems to advance common prosperity. We do so because we know that poverty, inequality and underdevelopment are the biggest challenges facing humankind. We are therefore determined that the BRICS partnership must be harnessed to drive an inclusive global economic recovery.”
Ramaphosa then spoke about the African agenda and then said:
“As nations of the world confront the effects of climate change, we must ensure that the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future is just, fair and takes into account differing national circumstances. In line with this objective, BRICS nations need to advance the interests of the Global South and call for industrialised countries to honour their commitments to support climate actions by developing economy countries.”
He then said: “We are concerned that global financial and payments systems are increasingly being used as instruments of geopolitical contestation. Global economic recovery relies on predictable global payment systems and the smooth operation of banking, supply chains, trade, tourism and financial flows. We will continue discussions on practical measures to facilitate trade and investment flows through the increased use of local currencies.”
“New economic, political, social and technological realities call for greater cooperation between nations. These realities call for a fundamental reform of the institutions of global governance so that they may be more representative and better able to respond to the challenges that confront humanity. While firmly committed to advance the interests of the Global South, BRICS stands ready to collaborate with all countries that aspire to create a more inclusive international order.”
Finally, let’s look at the remarks by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. He said:
“We face a more complex scenario than when we first got together. In just a few years, we have retreated from a scenario of benign multipolarity to one that resumes the obsolete mentality of the Cold War and geopolitical competition. This is a foolishness that generates great uncertainties and corrodes multilateralism. We know where this path can lead us. The world needs to understand that the risks involved are unacceptable to humanity. We cannot avoid dealing with the main current conflict, which takes place in Ukraine and has global effects. Brazil has a historic position of defending sovereignty, territorial integrity and all the purposes and principles of the United Nations. We find it positive that an increasing number of countries, among them the BRICS countries, are also engaged in direct contacts with Moscow and Kiev. We do not underestimate the difficulties in achieving peace. Nor can we remain indifferent to the deaths and destruction that increase every day. We stand ready to join an effort that can effectively contribute to a prompt ceasefire and a just and lasting peace. Everyone suffers the consequences of war. The most vulnerable populations in developing countries are disproportionately affected. The war in Ukraine highlights the limitations of the Security Council. The BRICS must act as a force for understanding and cooperation. Our willingness is expressed in the contributions of China, South Africa and my own country to the efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Many other conflicts and crises do not receive due attention even though they cause vast suffering for their populations. Haitians, Yemenis, Syrians, Libyans, Sudanese and Palestinians all deserve to live in peace. It is unacceptable that global military spending in a single year exceeds 2 trillion dollars, while the FAO tells us that 735 million people go hungry every day in the world.”
“The breakdown of global governance is also evident in the agendas of development, financing and tackling climate change. Upon returning to the presidency of Brazil, it saddens me to see that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is at risk worldwide. A recent UN report indicates strong setbacks. We see the biggest increase in inequality between countries in three decades. In 30% of the goals, we stagnate or go backwards. It is very difficult to combat climate change while so many developing countries are still dealing with hunger, poverty and other violence. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains relevant. Those largely responsible for the carbon emissions that caused the climate crisis were those who made the Industrial Revolution and fed a predatory colonial extractivism. They owe a historic debt to planet Earth and humanity. We need to value the Paris Agreement and the Climate Convention, instead of outsourcing climate responsibilities to the Global South.”
“We need an international financial system that, instead of fueling inequalities, helps low- and middle-income countries to implement structural changes. This will only happen with adequate representation in the Bretton Woods institutions and their climate funds. External indebtedness constrains sustainable development. It is unacceptable that developing countries are penalized with interest rates up to eight times higher than those charged to rich countries. It is necessary to increase liquidity, expand concessional financing and end conditionalities. The multilateral trading system must be revived to once again act as a tool for fair, predictable, equitable and non-discriminatory trade. No one remembers the WTO Development Round anymore. The decarbonization of our economies must be accompanied by the generation of decent jobs, industrialization and green infrastructure, and public services for all. Through the New Development Bank (NDB), we can offer our own financing alternatives, suited to the needs of the Global South. I am sure that, under the leadership of my partner Dilma Rousseff, the Bank will rise to these challenges. The creation of a currency for trade and investment transactions between BRICS members increases our payment options and reduces our vulnerabilities.”
Anyway, now let’s get back to PD. The other two stories on the front page are around Xi’s meetings with other leaders in Johannesburg. On the front page, the meetings covered are with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Senegalese President Macky Sall.
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Miguel Diaz-Canel says:
Xi said that “China will continue to firmly support Cuba in defending national sovereignty and opposing external interference and blockade. China will also try its best to provide support for Cuba's economic and social development…China is ready to work with Cuba to continue deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, strengthening strategic coordination, and pushing for progress in the special friendly relationship between the two parties and the two countries, Xi added. China praises Cuba's steadfast support for China in issues concerning its core interests, Xi said…China attaches great importance to and supports Cuba in successfully holding the Group of 77 and China Summit next month, Xi noted. China is willing to work with Cuba and other members of the Group of 77 to better safeguard the common interests and development rights of developing countries, Xi said.”
Diaz-Canel said that “the current Cuba-China relations are at a historical peak, adding that the Cuban people deeply admire President Xi and are grateful for China's understanding and invaluable support for Cuba's just cause. Cuba firmly supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi, he said, adding that Cuba is ready to work with China to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, build a Cuba-China community with a shared future, and advance on paths of socialism with respective characteristics.”
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with President Macky Sall mentions FOCAC cooperation and says:
“Xi said that China firmly supports Senegal's endeavors in safeguarding national stability and development, adding that China stands ready to strengthen mutual support with Senegal and deepen cooperation in such areas as industry, agriculture, infrastructure and human resources, jointly safeguard their legitimate right to development, and push for greater development of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. He stressed that currently, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, and that China and Africa need more than ever to strengthen solidarity and cooperation. Xi said China supports the African Union in joining the Group of 20, and stands ready to share with African brothers its development experience and opportunities, and push for the joint pursuit of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era by continuously upholding the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests.”
Page 2: On this page, we have reports on Xi’s meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
Xinhua’s report on the chat with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says:
Xi told Ahmed that “China is a reliable friend and a true partner of Ethiopia.” “China attaches great importance to its relations with Ethiopia and supports its domestic peace process, development and revitalization, he said, adding that China stands ready to work with Ethiopia to promote bilateral exchanges and to expand all-round cooperation, so that bilateral friendship can enjoy greater popular support and the China-Ethiopia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership can witness further advancement. Xi stressed that both sides need to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, adding that the two countries should strengthen the synergy between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Ethiopia's Ten Years Perspective Development Plan (2021-2030), and accelerate the development of joint projects including Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and green development. China encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and start their businesses in Ethiopia, welcoming the use by Ethiopia of the "green channel" for the entry of African agricultural products to China to expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, said Xi. China stands ready to work with Ethiopia in promoting the implementation of the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa and to make contributions to regional peace and stability, said Xi.”
The report adds: “Ahmed said Ethiopia highly values its friendship with China, firmly upholds the one-China policy, supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi, and actively participates in the Belt and Road cooperation. Ethiopia stands ready to learn from China's governance experience to better achieve its own national development, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China in agriculture, mining and other fields, he said. Ethiopia hopes to join the BRICS so as to push for closer cooperation in multilateral mechanisms and open up a better shared future for the two countries.”
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says:
“At present, both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of their own development and revitalization, and the Chinese side is willing to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Bangladesh, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, push bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, and better benefit the people of the two countries. Xi also said that China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in opposing external interference, so that the country can maintain domestic unity and stability, and achieve development and revitalization. The Chinese side is willing to continue to work with Bangladesh in firmly supporting each other in issues involving their respective core interests, said Xi, adding that the two sides should strengthen strategic communication and close exchanges among various departments and at different levels. Xi also called for stronger personnel exchanges as well as deeper cultural and people-to-people bonds. He extended congratulations to the prime minister on her country's joining the New Development Bank, saying that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Bangladesh in multilateral affairs and to safeguard the international equity and justice as well as the shared interests of developing countries.”
The report adds: “Hasina said the sound Bangladesh-China relationship is based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. She congratulated Xi on the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying that Belt and Road cooperation has opened a new door of development for Bangladesh. Bangladesh, she said, firmly adheres to the one-China policy and appreciates China's important role in promoting regional peace and stability, adding that her country is ready to deepen ties with China and strengthen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS. It is believed that the development of the BRICS mechanism will bring new development opportunities to developing countries, she added.” — (Comment: I think the comment on non-interference in internal affairs by Sheikh Hasina is very smart and on point, given China’s increasing influence in the domestic politics of countries in South Asia.)
Page 4: There’s a report on the plenary meeting of the third session of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, which discussed improving the sci-tech innovation system and accelerating the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy. Thirteen members of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee delivered remarks on topics including basic research, enterprise innovation, biomedicine development, industrial software, artificial intelligence and science popularization.
Some of the key points made during the session, as per the report are:
Efforts should be made to strengthen basic research; it is important to address key technical issues at the source and foundational levels, and it is necessary to solidify the foundation of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance
It is important to adhere to the problem-oriented and application-oriented approach and strengthen the scientific and technological support for ecological environment construction
It is important to nurture a good policy ecology, stimulate the endogenous drive of enterprises for scientific and technological innovation, and give full play to the leading and supportive roles of leading enterprises in scientific and technological innovation
There should be efforts in biopharmaceutical technology and strengthening the research and development of innovative drugs
Strengthen foundational research and underlying technological development in industrial software
Reform scientific research management mechanisms, improve the evaluation mechanisms, and improve the distribution incentive mechanism to boost the self-reliance and self-improvement of high-level science and technology.
Build a highland for scientific and technological talents
Effectively guide private enterprises to participate in major national innovations and undertake the heavy responsibility of scientific and technological innovation.
Guide enterprises to increase the scale of investment in basic research and provide policy support and resource guarantee for enterprises to carry out basic research.
Strengthen the construction of major national science and technology infrastructure, enhance industrial support, and help innovation-driven development
Strengthen the position of enterprises as the main actors in technological innovation, facilitating the flow of talents between industry, academia, and research institutions, and increasing the reach and openness of innovation platforms for enterprises.
Combine artificial intelligence with high-quality development and build a modern industrial system to promote the development and application of industrial AI.
Improve the mobilisation ability of science popularisation organisations, strengthen the construction of science popularisation informatization, and give full play to the functions of disseminating scientific knowledge and promoting scientific spirit.
王志刚和黄卫常委在联合发言中建议，持之以恒加强基础研究，从源头和底层解决关键技术问题，夯实高水平科技自立自强根基。黄润秋常委提出，坚持问题导向和应用导向，加强生态环境科技支撑，推动美丽中国建设。李卫常委代表无党派人士界发言建议，营造良好政策生态，激发企业科技创新内生动力，发挥科技领军企业在科技创新中的引领支撑作用。邓蓉玲常委代表农工党中央发言建议，大力推动生物医药科技创新，加强新靶点、新机制、新类型的创新药研发布局，营造科技创新良好生态。赖明常委建议，加强工业软件基础研究和底层技术研发，整合攻关力量，优化发展规划，推动工业软件产业高质量发展。王路常委建议，改革科研管理机制，健全评价机制，完善分配激励机制，助推高水平科技自立自强。胡刚常委提出，加强高水平科技创新平台建设，构筑人才集聚高地，融入全球创新体系。谢茹常委代表全国工商联发言建议，积极鼓励、有效引导民营企业参与国家重大创新，承担科技创新重任。陈星莺常委代表民革中央发言建议，引导企业加大基础研究的投入规模，为企业开展基础研究提供政策支撑和资源保障。刘艳常委代表台盟中央发言提出，加强国家重大科技基础设施建设，提升产业支撑力，助力创新驱动发展。洪慧民常委代表民建中央发言提出，强化企业科技创新主体地位，畅通产学研人才流动机制，提升创新平台对企业辐射和开放力度。卢国懿常委代表致公党中央发言建议，将人工智能与高质量发展、构建现代化产业体系相结合，推进工业人工智能发展与应用。徐延豪常委建议，提升科普组织动员能力，加强科普信息化建设，发挥传播科学知识、弘扬科学精神的功能.