On September 10, the Science and Technology Conference of Sichuan Province was held in Chengdu. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, attended and addressed the conference. He emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on scientific and technological innovation and the spirit of his series of important instructions for Sichuan's work, fully implement the strategy for invigorating Sichuan through science and education, the workforce development strategy, and the innovation-driven development strategy, move faster to build an innovation highland in the western region, endeavor to establish Sichuan as a province with greater strength in science and technology, and contribute more scientific and technological power to writing a new chapter of Sichuan in advancing Chinese modernization.

Shi Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, chaired the conference. Tian Xiangli, Chairperson of the CPPCC Sichuan Provincial Committee, attended.

The conference announced the Decision of the People's Government of Sichuan Province on the 2023 Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Awards. Amid warm applause, Wang Xiaohui first presented certificates to Du Xiangwan and Li Anmin, recipients of the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Outstanding Contribution Award. Subsequently, Wang Xiaohui, Shi Xiaolin, Tian Xiangli, and other provincial leaders presented certificates to the representatives of the winners of the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Innovation Award for Outstanding Youth, the Province Natural Science Award, the Province Technological Invention Award, and the Province Scientific and Technological Progress Award. Du Xiangwan and persons in charge from Chengdu Municipality, Mianyang Science and Technology City, the National High-end Aviation Equipment Technology Innovation Center, and Sichuan Huakun Zhenyu Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. represented the award winners to make exchange speeches.

On behalf of the provincial Party committee and the provincial government, Wang Xiaohui conveyed heartfelt congratulations in his address to the units and individuals receiving awards and also expressed profound respect for the sci-tech workers and the personnel dedicated to the advancement of science and technology across the province. He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has focused on the overall strategy for the development of the Party and the nation, regarded innovation as the primary driving force for development and self-reliance and strength in science and technology as the strategic support for national development, and put forward a series of new thoughts, viewpoints, and assessments. In particular, General Secretary delivered an important speech in June at the meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. His speech profoundly elaborated on a series of significant theoretical and practical issues concerning building a science and technology powerhouse, outlined the strategic goal and grand blueprint for China to become a strong country in science and technology by 2035, and sounded a clarion call for the advancement towards a world sci-tech leader. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee featured a specific focus on deepening scientific and technological structural reform. We must thoroughly act upon the guiding principles outlined in General Secretary's important speech, fully implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, consciously identify our position and direction, and unwaveringly follow the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics.

Wang Xiaohui pointed out that Sichuan holds a significant position in the national landscape of scientific and technological innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to and has high expectations for Sichuan's sci-tech innovation progress, entrusts us with the mission of building an innovation highland in the western region, and clearly defines the strategic positioning, key areas of focus, and breakthrough path for the development of Sichuan's science and technology cause. We must steadfastly use his guidance to lead Sichuan's scientific and technological efforts. In recent years, we have diligently implemented General Secretary's important expositions on sci-tech innovation and his series of key instructions regarding work in Sichuan. With efforts focused on both enhancing the core capabilities of scientific and technological innovation and creating a first-class innovation ecosystem, we have seen a steady improvement in innovation capabilities, increased vibrancy in scientific research activities, continuous emergence of significant achievements, and steady progress in scientific and technological structural reform, culminating in remarkable success in innovation-driven development. Throughout this journey, the province's sci-tech workers and those committed to the progress of science and technology have valiantly borne significant burdens and advanced with fortitude, diligently explored the cutting edge of science and technology, and tirelessly sought breakthroughs in critical areas of scientific research, making a substantial contribution to the modernization of Sichuan.

Wang Xiaohui pointed out that currently, scientific and technological innovation has become the core engine driving industrial upgrading, the key variable in reshaping the competitive landscape, and the primary force leading future development. Accelerating the establishment of an innovation highland in the western region and constructing a province with greater scientific and technological strength is an imperative choice in response to the global development trend and service of the national strategic blueprint, a crucial move to align with the trend towards high-quality development and to advance the modernization drive, and a practical necessity for consolidating regional development advantages and gaining the upper hand in future growth. It is the mission of times that we must steadfastly undertake. We need to fix our sights on the strategic goal of fully establishing the province as a powerhouse in science and technology by 2035, strive to achieve national prominence in basic research and original innovation capabilities, in the ability to make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, in exerting international influence and leadership in sci-tech innovation, in fostering and attracting high-level sci-tech talent, and in establishing a robust system and capacity for science and technology governance, and ensure full delivery on building the innovation highland in the western region, thus contributing Sichuan's strength to the timely realization of China's ambition to become a leading country in science and technology.

Wang Xiaohui pointed out that we need to actively align with the national strategic science and technology strength, beef up efforts to improve the laboratory system, strengthen the infrastructure cluster, solidify the foundation of basic research, and generate more groundbreaking "from 0 to 1" original innovations, thereby better serving the goal of achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. We need to promote the deep integration of sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation through concrete measures, concentrate on achieving breakthroughs in key technologies, highlight the principal role of enterprises in innovation, ramp up efforts in transforming scientific and technological achievements into practical applications, facilitate a significant leap in productivity, and effectively cultivate and develop new quality productive forces. We need to redouble efforts to deepen scientific and technological structural reform, channel more initiatives toward easing burdens, empowering capabilities, and enhancing efficiency, accelerate the establishment of a category-based evaluation system and assessment mechanism that align with scientific principles, and actively explore models such as the "calling for best candidates" open competition mechanism, directed commission approach, owner-responsibility management model, and the "racehorse" mechanism for concurrent research, to unleash the full potential of innovation and creativity. We need to reinforce the synergistic progression of education, science, and technology alongside talent development, enhance talent cultivation approaches, refine the framework for attracting talent, innovate in talent utilization mechanisms, and foster a virtuous cycle of talent development, recruitment, utilization, and appropriate mobility, so as to assemble a high-caliber contingent of innovative individuals. We need to persist in openness and collaboration in scientific and technological advancement, intensify regional collaborative innovation efforts, foster the deep integration of science and technology with financial sectors, enhance international exchange and cooperation initiatives, and develop a first-class innovation ecosystem to guarantee the smooth flow and efficient allocation of diverse innovation elements.

Wang Xiaohui emphasized that sci-tech innovation constitutes a system engineering; thus, it is imperative to harness the initiative and creativity of all stakeholders to forge a robust collective effort that drives sci-tech advancement and foster development. The science and technology commissions at all levels of the Party committees should effectively fulfill their roles in overall leadership, coordination, and oversight. The science and technology departments should excel in offering expert guidance and services. All relevant departments are required to execute their specific roles and work in close collaboration. Leading officials at all levels, particularly heads of leadership teams, must strengthen their capacity and skills in directing and advancing scientific and technological endeavors. Together, we effectively deliver the tasks pertinent to the science and technology domain. The scientific and technological workers serve as the primary force and forefront in advancing sci-tech innovation. We encourage all to actively embody the spirit of Chinese scientists, consciously align academic aspirations with the "four orientations", be bold in taking the lead and unwavering in the face of challenges on the journey of innovation, be vigorous in pursuit and dedicated in the study at the forefront of scientific research, and employ your intelligence and toil to forge new accomplishments that honor the era and live up to the people's expectations.

Also in attendance were relevant provincial leaders, leading officials from municipal (prefecture) Party committees, pertinent provincial departments (units), and certain central institutions based in Sichuan, persons in charge from some scientific research institutions, higher education establishments, state-owned enterprises, and some private enterprise heads, among others.