Scientific and technological innovation serves national strategies and benefits

"Since the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Yunnan Province has thoroughly implemented the innovation-driven development strategy, adhered to the concept of 'giving equal attention to theoretical research and practical application', demonstrated new achievements in actively integrating into and serving national strategies, and achieved new breakthroughs in supporting the high-quality economic and social development of the province." On November 20th, Gao Jun, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department, introduced to Science and Technology Daily that scientific and technological innovation has become a solid support for writing the Yunnan chapter of Chinese path to modernization.

In terms of serving national strategies, Yunnan has actively participated in the construction of national strategic scientific and technological forces, achieving remarkable results. It has built three national major scientific and technological infrastructure facilities, including the Southwest China Wildlife Germplasm Resources Bank, the Model Animal Phenotype and Genetics Research Facility (Primate Facility), and the China Earthquake Science Experimental Field, providing basic support for biodiversity conservation and earthquake disaster prevention and control. Yunnan has reached strategic cooperation with Guangzhou Laboratory and Yazhou Bay Laboratory to promote the construction of Yunnan bases for relevant high-level platforms and explore the implementation path of the new nationwide system.

In addition, Yunnan has been making frequent achievements in tackling key and core technologies. The research on perennial rice was selected as one of the top ten scientific breakthroughs of the year by the journal Science. The design and construction technology of high arch dams and high roller compacted concrete dams is at the world-leading level. The key technologies of the China-Laos Railway project have provided a new path for the construction of plateau railways. In the fields of new materials, etc., Yunnan has broken through the technological bottleneck of indium phosphide radio frequency devices, developed 12 new products such as high-density ruthenium alloy targets, and broken the foreign technological monopoly on large-sized high-quality vanadium dioxide infrared optoelectronic materials. Several independently developed vaccines have benefited people both at home and abroad. The second scientific expedition to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Yunnan has been completed, achieving multiple significant results in biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization.

In supporting the economic and social development of the entire province, Yunnan has made precise efforts in scientific and technological innovation to solidify its industrial foundation. Six Yunnan laboratories have been established in key areas such as biomedicine and new materials. Additionally, 36 technological innovation centers and 79 provincial-level new research and development institutions have been set up. The proportion of electronic-grade polysilicon products exceeds 90%, and the annual production line of 100,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate has reached the industry-leading level.

The empowerment effect of high-altitude characteristic agricultural technology is outstanding. 1,574 new varieties such as "Yunliang" and "Yunhua" have been cultivated and introduced, and 315 new technologies have been promoted, driving an additional output value of over 30 billion yuan. The planting area and output of fresh cut flowers, coffee, and other industries rank first in the country. The "Child's Heart" rose has become the main award flower for the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Yunshang black goat has been selected as a national leading breed.

The cluster effect of the biopharmaceutical industry is becoming increasingly prominent. Eight Class I new drugs have obtained implied approval for clinical trials, two products, "Quan Sanqi Tablets" and "Fuguben Gao", have entered Phase III trials, 32 major varieties of traditional Chinese medicine have achieved annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan, and four pharmaceutical companies have been ranked among the top 100 Chinese traditional Chinese medicine enterprises. Kunming and Yuxi High-tech Zones have been selected as national-level demonstration bases for the biopharmaceutical industry.

The power of technology is also contributing to the continuous improvement of people's livelihood and well-being. The technology special commissioner system has achieved full coverage in counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan, transforming and applying more than 800 technological achievements, driving an additional output value of over 6 billion yuan. 3D printing orthopedic instruments, dengue virus barrier technology, and other technologies have benefited the public. Progress has been made in the protection and management of nine plateau lakes, with a 49% reduction in total phosphorus in the rivers that feed into Erhai Lake. The proportion of citizens with scientific literacy in the province has increased from 7.3% to 12%, ranking among the top in the western region.

"Facing the 15th Five-Year Plan, we will anchor our strategic development goals in Yunnan, strengthen the supporting role of science and technology in high-quality economic and social development, take technological innovation as the lead, strengthen, optimize, and expand resource-based industries, actively develop strategic emerging industries and future industries, bravely take on heavy responsibilities in serving national strategies, precisely focus on empowering regional innovation, and inject stronger technological momentum into high-quality development," said Gao Jun.