Stepwise layout of new tracks! National Development and Reform Commission releases key interpretation: What emerging industries and future industries will be cultivated and strengthened during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period?

Everyday Economic News Reporter | Zhang Huaisui Everyday Economic News Editor | Wen Duo

On March 7, the State Council Information Office held a briefing to interpret the “14th Five-Year Plan” Outline (Draft).

According to a reporter from Daily Economic News at the scene, the draft outline adheres to a goal-oriented and problem-solving approach, balancing comprehensive planning with highlighting key areas. It outlines 16 major strategic tasks covering key fields and critical links of economic and social development, with many innovative measures such as integrated promotion of education, science and technology, and talent development; emphasizing investment in both physical assets and human capital; and promoting regional coordinated development.

Focusing on emerging and future industries during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, Bai Jingyu, Director of the Innovation and High-Tech Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating breakthroughs, leading to a large number of new technologies, industries, business models, and formats, providing rare opportunities for modernization. To seize this historic opportunity, the draft outline makes specific deployments for cultivating and expanding emerging and future industries, as well as digital intelligence development. The major tasks can be summarized into three aspects: phased layout, ecological cultivation, and digital empowerment.

Accelerate the Construction of a National Integrated Computing Power Network

Regarding specific deployment arrangements, Bai Jingyu explained that first is phased layout, constructing a new emerging industry development sequence that combines strategic emerging industries, emerging pillar industries, and future industries, integrating near-term and long-term strategies.

Based on current conditions, continue to develop strategic emerging industries such as new-generation information technology and new energy, and build characteristic, complementary industrial clusters suited to local conditions.

Mid-term focus is on developing emerging pillar industries like integrated circuits, biomedicine, and aerospace to establish new economic pillars. Looking ahead, plan for future industries such as quantum technology, brain-computer interfaces, and embodied intelligence, cultivating strategic emerging industries of tomorrow and pillar industries of the future.

Secondly, ecological cultivation involves creating an innovation-led, demand-driven, factor-aggregated, locally adapted, and effectively regulated industrial development ecosystem.

Focusing on innovation leadership, implement several industrial innovation projects, driving breakthroughs in key core technologies across the entire chain to create new demand through new supply. For scene-driven development, carry out large-scale demonstrations of new technologies, products, and scenarios to lead new supply with new demand. To attract and concentrate resources, establish mechanisms for future industry investment growth and risk sharing, strengthen talent cultivation in key areas, and optimize the layout of national science and technology innovation platforms. Regarding local adaptation, strictly implement major productivity layouts, guide rational development, and conduct work based on facts. For effective regulation, advance legislation in emerging fields, improve market access systems, innovate regulatory methods, balance development and safety, and ensure a flexible yet well-managed environment.

Thirdly, digital intelligence empowerment involves providing efficient computing power, algorithms, and data, and leveraging digital technologies to boost economic and social development, deepening the construction of Digital China. Bai Jingyu further explained that in terms of computing power, accelerate the building of a national integrated computing network, promoting scalable, intensive, green, and accessible development of computing resources. In algorithms, break through fundamental theories and core technologies of artificial intelligence, strengthen key algorithm R&D, and promote iterative innovation of models and algorithms. In data, improve the basic systems for data elements, deepen data resource development and utilization. In empowerment, fully implement the “AI+” initiative, empowering various industries comprehensively, and driving profound changes in production methods and revolutionary leaps in productivity.

By 2030, the share of non-fossil energy in total energy consumption will reach 25%

From the briefing, it was learned that the draft outline proposes 23 projects related to the national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, new energy systems, and new infrastructure. How will the development direction of modern infrastructure in the next five years be clarified? What are the key tasks in transportation, energy, water conservancy, and new infrastructure?

In response to media questions, Chen Lei, Director of the Development Strategy and Planning Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that infrastructure is a vital support for economic and social development. The draft outline dedicates a chapter to “building a modern infrastructure system,” which includes not only transportation, water conservancy, and energy infrastructure but also major scientific and technological infrastructure, information communication networks, and computing power grids. The overall direction is to strengthen coordinated planning, optimize layout and structure, promote integration and fusion, and improve safety resilience and operational sustainability.

In transportation, during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, efforts will be made to improve a modern comprehensive transportation system, with the goal of establishing “eight vertical and eight horizontal” high-speed rail corridors and a national highway network, upgrading inland river channels, and completing a world-class port and airport cluster. Major projects include connecting high-standard沿江高速铁路通道, building the Three Gorges waterway new channel, and enhancing road safety and resilience. Additionally, efforts will be made to strengthen coverage and accessibility in weak areas, update and maintain transportation infrastructure.

In energy, the focus is on building a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient new energy system, supporting wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear power equally. The ten-year plan to double non-fossil energy will be implemented, promoting safe and reliable substitution of fossil fuels with non-fossil energy sources. Major projects such as the Yadong hydropower station, Shago renewable energy base, and power transmission channels will be advanced, with the capacity of west-to-east power transmission reaching over 420 million kilowatts. By 2030, non-fossil energy will account for 25% of total energy consumption.

In water conservancy, the main framework of the national water network has been gradually improved. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, efforts will focus on modernizing water networks, accelerating the implementation of major projects such as river governance, flood control reservoirs, large-scale water transfer, and the reconstruction of large and medium-sized irrigation districts, enhancing flood and drought disaster prevention, water resource management, and urban-rural water supply.

In new infrastructure, coordinated promotion and efficient utilization will be emphasized. A systematic layout will be developed for major technological infrastructure such as 10-gigabit optical networks and 5G-A mobile communication networks, building a nationwide integrated computing network, and deploying satellite communication, navigation, and remote sensing systems. Expanding scene-based development, low-altitude infrastructure will be built, providing strong support for industrial upgrading and digital intelligence development during the “14th Five-Year Plan” and beyond.

Cover image source: Daily Economic News Media Library