Xinhua last week explained how the latest Secretary Xi buzzword often translation as ‘new productive forces’ should be understood.
I wonder if the term ‘new productive forces’ arise from an ambiguity in Chinese that, as the Xinhua article suggests, befuddles many Chinese people. 新质生产力 could be translated as either new and quality productivity or a new kind of productive force. 新质 xīn zhì novel preceding 生产力 shēngchǎnlì productivity — a new kind of productivity/productive force? It seems to me that what is meant here is 新 xīn new/innovative and quality 质. Using the first character to stand for a phrase is common in Chinese, though the more common reading and the befuddling translation has been new productive forces. I suspect what 新质生产力 means is 新的和高质量的生产力 New and Quality Productivity rather than New Productive Forces or New Quality Productivity.
Nothing really new here: China wants to be innovative thereby increasing productivity and produce high quality goods. Maybe this new campaign for focus more on innovation and producing high quality goods will help. Repeated nationwide campaigns to encourage people to think correctly and to stay motivated following Party guidance were frequent in Mao’s time, become less frequent and less intense in the decades that followed but never completely disappearing.
Though I never did take that speechwriting course at the Central Party School, I wonder if the problem might be that reducing a thought to a catch phrase greatly increase the rise of misunderstanding. Not that my speculation matters — this is a matter of linguistic sovereignty. Just as they say CPC, I say CCP. They say President Xi, I say General Secretary Xi — party secretary has historically been the power top position in the PRC unless you were named either Hu Yaobang or Zhao Ziyang). I think my translation is less befuddling than the official version but then again, the Dao that can be spoken of is not the true Dao. 道可道非常道。
Heretofore reports on ‘new productive forces’ have been of the type here on this date Xi said this and at another place on another place also talked about it without very little stress on quality.
Here is how it was explained in mid-March by Communist Party News for the edification of Chinese Communist Party members (via DeepL machine translation):
Productive forces refer to the ability of human beings to transform and influence nature, developed in the practice of production. As the most basic category of Marxist political economy and historical materialism, productive forces are both the material basis of human history and the most active and revolutionary elements that drive social progress, without which there can be no social progress. The new quality of productive forces is the contemporary advanced productive forces that have emerged from the revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep transformation and upgrading of industries.20 In September 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping first put forward the term “new quality of productive forces” during his visit to Heilongjiang, and since then has made in-depth discussions on a number of important occasions. These important discussions are a new development of the Marxist theory of productive forces, further enriching the connotation of Xi Jinping’s economic thought, and providing a fundamental guideline for the new era to comprehensively grasp the direction of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change breakthroughs, promote the high-quality development of productive forces, and comprehensively promote the construction of Chinese-style modernization.
On September 7, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at a symposium on promoting the comprehensive revitalization of the Northeast in the new era that strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, electronic information, and future industries should be actively cultivated to accelerate the formation of new-quality productive forces and to enhance the new kinetic energy of development. On September 8, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping, while listening to a report on the work of the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, emphasized that Integrate scientific and technological innovation resources, lead the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries, and accelerate the formation of new-quality productive forces. Industry is a concrete expression of productivity change. New quality productivity is the productivity led by new industries, characterized by innovation, the key in quality, the essence of advanced productivity. Strategic emerging industries and future industries are the main position for the formation of new quality productivity, strategic emerging industries play a leading role in the transformation of old and new kinetic energy, and future industries represent the new direction of scientific and technological innovation and industrial development. Both of them are the advanced productivity qualities to “new” and “real”. We need to layout the industrial chain around the development of new productivity, timely application of scientific and technological innovation achievements to specific industries and industrial chain, accelerate the transformation of traditional manufacturing industry digitalization, networking, intelligence, cultivate and grow strategic emerging industries, layout and construction of future industries, promote the extension of the industrial chain to the upstream and downstream, the formation of a perfect modern industrial system, for high-quality development continue to inject surging kinetic energy.
“The “new quality of productivity” emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping” Communist Party News March 17, 2024 习近平总书记强调的“新质生产力”王勃
Xinhua Commentary: In the development of new and quality productivity should be “new” and “quality” should be stressed
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 17: the development of new productivity to seek “new” and “quality”.
Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Fugui
At present, everywhere in China work is underway to carry out research and put into practice the development of new and quality productivity. However, in some places the requirement that prorgress should be made by taking into account “local conditions” has not been understood. The development of new and quality productivity is a big event, a new thing, as we look to new development opportunities, we should be both eager and calm, moving at a steady pace was according to their own resource endowments we come up with practical and effective measures.
New and quality productivity will bring a significant increase in total factor productivity characterized by innovation having quality as its key – quality is the hallmark of advanced productivity. The understanding of the new and quality productivity can not be trendy, reduced to a simple concept or label. Superficial work can not bring the improvement of productivity, can not build new momentum for economic growth, not to mention the cultivation of advanced productive forces.
The development of new and quality productivity must respect objective laws. Productivity development will not come over night or out of thin air but will be gradual success achieved over the long term. China’s vast territory, resource endowment, industrial base, scientific research conditions vary from place to place. To adhere to seek the truth from the facts, we must fully respect each locality’s characteristics and advantages, to find a scientific and reasonable development path for it, to avoid moving ahead on new quality productivity as just a froth of bubbles without truly engaging in this model.
The development of new productive forces should focus on the application and transformation of the fruits of innovation. This year’s government work report puts “vigorously promote the construction of a modernized industrial system, accelerate the development of new quality productivity” at the top of the list of tasks, and puts forward “scientific and technological innovation to promote industrial innovation”. Innovation results can not only stay in the “laboratory”, but also to become “production line” products, goods in the market. The development of new and quality productivity should be combined with industry, accelerate the transformation and application of scientific and technological innovation, and layout industry chain around the development of new productivity.
The development of new and quality productivity cannot be putting old wine in new bottles. At present, in many places that talking about innovation one must say “new quality productivity, new quality productivity” blindly looking at “new” and ignoring “quality”. Science and technology innovation are at the core of developing new and quality productivity, that does not mean any innovation is about new quality productivity. In new and quality innovation productivity innovation plays a leading role, departing from the traditional modes and means of growing the economy and improving productivity. It has with high-tech, high-performance, high-quality characteristics, in line with the new development concept of advanced productivity quality.
Practical work first, the development of new and quality productivity is a long-term task, systematic engineering, involving more aspects, only early planning, scientific layout, integrated and balanced, in order to move forward in a solid manner, the development of the initiative firmly in their own hands.
Xinhua has a cute video out on new quality productivity out narrated by an ‘American journalist’ with Chinese subtitles.
Xictionary: New quality productive forces
新华时评｜发展新质生产力要谋“新”重“质”
新华社北京4月17日电 题：发展新质生产力要谋“新”重“质”
新华社记者严赋憬
当前全国各地正在紧锣密鼓地开展关于发展新质生产力的研究和实践，但有的地方对“因地制宜”的要求理解不够深入透彻。发展新质生产力是一件大事、新事，面对新的发展机遇，心里要热切，但头脑要冷静、步子要坚实，要根据自身资源禀赋拿出切实有效的措施。
新质生产力以全要素生产率大幅提升为核心标志，特点是创新，关键在质优，本质是先进生产力。对新质生产力的理解不能潮流化、概念化、标签化，表面功夫带不动生产效率的提升，造不出经济增长的新动能，更无法培育出先进生产力。
发展新质生产力，必须尊重客观规律。生产力发展，不是一朝一夕，更不会凭空出现，而要循序渐进，久久为功。我国幅员辽阔，各地的资源禀赋、产业基础、科研条件等各不相同。要坚持实事求是，充分尊重各地的自身特点和优势，找到科学合理的发展路径，避免在发展新质生产力时一哄而上、泡沫化，也不能搞一种模式。
发展新质生产力，要注重创新成果的落地应用和价值转化。今年的政府工作报告把“大力推进现代化产业体系建设，加快发展新质生产力”放在诸项任务之首，并提出“以科技创新推动产业创新”。创新成果不能只停留在“实验室”，更要成为“生产线”上的产品、大市场里的商品。发展新质生产力要与产业相结合，加快科技创新成果转化应用，围绕发展新质生产力布局产业链。
发展新质生产力，不能新瓶装旧酒。当前，不少地方谈创新必说新质生产力，把新质生产力当成一个筐什么都往里装，盲目求“新”而忽视了“质”。科技创新是发展新质生产力的核心要素，但并不是和创新沾边都是新质生产力。新质生产力是创新起主导作用，摆脱传统经济增长方式、生产力发展路径，具有高科技、高效能、高质量特征，符合新发展理念的先进生产力质态。
实干为先，发展新质生产力是一项长期任务、系统工程，涉及方面较多，只有提早谋划、科学布局、统筹兼顾，才能扎扎实实向前推进，把发展主动权牢牢掌握在自己手里。
【责任编辑:谷玥】
习近平总书记强调的“新质生产力”
王勃
2024年03月18日08:42 来源：学习时报
原标题：习近平总书记强调的“新质生产力”
生产力是指人类在生产实践中形成的改造和影响自然的能力。作为马克思主义政治经济学和历史唯物论的最基本范畴，生产力既是人类历史的物质基础，也是推动社会进步的最活跃的、最革命的要素，没有生产力的发展就没有社会的进步。新质生产力是由技术革命性突破、生产要素创新性配置、产业深度转型升级而催生的当代先进生产力。2023年9月，习近平总书记在黑龙江考察期间首次提出“新质生产力”一词，此后又在多个重要场合作了深入论述。这些重要论述是对马克思主义生产力理论的新发展，进一步丰富了习近平经济思想的内涵，为新时代全面把握新一轮科技革命和产业变革突破方向，推动生产力高质量发展，全面推进中国式现代化建设提供了根本遵循和行动指南。
2023年9月7日，习近平总书记在新时代推动东北全面振兴座谈会上强调，要积极培育新能源、新材料、先进制造、电子信息等战略性新兴产业，积极培育未来产业，加快形成新质生产力，增强发展新动能。2023年9月8日，习近平总书记在听取黑龙江省委和省政府工作汇报时强调，整合科技创新资源，引领发展战略性新兴产业和未来产业，加快形成新质生产力。产业是生产力变革的具体表现形式。新质生产力是以新产业为主导的生产力，特点是创新，关键在质优，本质是先进生产力。战略性新兴产业与未来产业是形成新质生产力的主阵地，战略性新兴产业对新旧动能转换发挥着引领性作用，未来产业代表着科技创新和产业发展的新方向，二者都是向“新”而行、向“实”发力的先进生产力质态。我们要围绕发展新质生产力布局产业链，及时将科技创新成果应用到具体产业和产业链上，加快传统制造业数字化、网络化、智能化改造，培育壮大战略性新兴产业，布局建设未来产业，推动产业链向上下游延伸，形成完善的现代化产业体系，为高质量发展持续注入澎湃动能。
2023年12月11日至12日，习近平总书记在中央经济工作会议上强调，深化供给侧结构性改革，核心是以科技创新推动产业创新，特别是以颠覆性技术和前沿技术催生新产业、新模式、新动能，发展新质生产力。新质生产力之“新”，核心在于以科技创新推动产业创新。发展新质生产力，就是将科学研究的最新发现和技术发明的先进成果应用到具体产业中，不断创造新价值。当前全球新一轮科技革命和产业变革孕育的技术成果已经到了应用转化的临界点，人工智能、生命科学、可控核聚变、量子科技等颠覆性技术和前沿技术进入加快向现实生产力转化的窗口期。培育和发展新质生产力，是把握新科技革命历史机遇、掌握未来发展主动权、塑造国际竞争新优势、推动经济高质量发展的关键之举。我们要牢牢把握这次新科技和产业变革机遇，整合科技创新资源，优化科技创新体系，强化国家战略科技力量，培育壮大科技领军企业，全面促进科技创新与产业创新协同发展。
2024年1月19日，习近平总书记在“国家工程师奖”首次评选表彰之际作出重要指示强调，希望全国广大工程技术人员坚定科技报国、为民造福理想，勇于突破关键核心技术，锻造精品工程，推动发展新质生产力，加快实现高水平科技自立自强，服务高质量发展，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业作出更大贡献。2024年3月6日，习近平总书记在看望参加全国政协十四届二次会议的民革、科技界、环境资源界委员，并参加联组会，听取意见和建议时强调，科技界委员和广大科技工作者要进一步增强科教兴国强国的抱负，担当起科技创新的重任，加强基础研究和应用基础研究，打好关键核心技术攻坚战，培育发展新质生产力的新动能。科技是第一生产力，人才是第一资源，创新是第一动力。人才既是创新的发起者，也是技术应用的实践者，是形成新质生产力最活跃、最具决定意义的能动主体。发展新质生产力，必须不断提高劳动者素质，加快建设国家战略人才力量，努力培养造就更多大师、战略科学家、一流科技领军人才和创新团队、青年科技人才、卓越工程师、大国工匠、高技能人才。按照发展新质生产力要求，畅通教育、科技、人才的良性循环，完善人才培养、引进、使用、合理流动的工作机制，为发展新质生产力汇聚形成强大的人才支撑。
2024年1月31日，习近平总书记在主持二十届中央政治局第十一次集体学习时强调，发展新质生产力是推动高质量发展的内在要求和重要着力点，必须继续做好创新这篇大文章，推动新质生产力加快发展。2024年3月5日，习近平总书记在参加十四届全国人大二次会议江苏代表团审议时强调，要牢牢把握高质量发展这个首要任务，因地制宜发展新质生产力。面对新一轮科技革命和产业变革，我们必须抢抓机遇，加大创新力度，培育壮大新兴产业，超前布局建设未来产业，完善现代化产业体系。高质量发展是全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务，新质生产力是实现高质量发展的重要着力点。高质量发展需要新的生产力理论来指导，新质生产力代表一种生产力的跃迁，是科技创新发挥主导作用的生产力，是摆脱了传统增长路径、符合高质量发展要求的生产力。新质生产力已经在实践中形成并展示出对高质量发展的强劲推动力、支撑力。
2024年2月2日，习近平总书记在听取天津市委和市政府工作汇报时强调，天津作为全国先进制造研发基地，要发挥科教资源丰富等优势，在发展新质生产力上勇争先、善作为。要坚持科技创新和产业创新一起抓，加强科创园区建设，加强与北京的科技创新协同和产业体系融合，合力建设世界级先进制造业集群。科技创新能够催生新产业、新模式、新动能，是发展新质生产力的核心要素。发展新质生产力，关键在于坚持科技创新和产业创新一起抓，厚植发展新动能、新优势。加快形成和发展新质生产力，要加强科技产业园区建设，充分发挥科技成果转化和产业集聚效应，实现科技创新与产业创新深度融合。通过将数字技术、人工智能等新一代信息技术融入传统产业来提高全要素生产率，通过数实融合促进制造业向高端化、高效能、高质量的集群化方向发展，通过建立科技创新联合攻关机制，加大研发力度，构建现代化科技创新体系，打造科技创新共同体和产业发展共同体。
2024年2月29日，习近平总书记在主持二十届中央政治局第十二次集体学习时强调，要瞄准世界能源科技前沿，聚焦能源关键领域和重大需求，合理选择技术路线，发挥新型举国体制优势，加强关键核心技术联合攻关，强化科研成果转化运用，把能源技术及其关联产业培育成带动我国产业升级的新增长点，促进新质生产力发展。能源问题是关系国家经济社会发展的全局性、战略性问题，对国家繁荣发展、人民生活改善、社会长治久安至关重要。包括新能源产业在内的能源技术及其关联产业是新质生产力的重要组成部分，是推动能源绿色低碳转型的重要支撑，也是带动我国产业升级的新增长点。绿色发展是新质生产力的内在要求，也是高质量发展的底色，新质生产力本身就是绿色生产力。我们必须坚定走能源绿色、低碳、可持续发展道路，加快绿色科技创新和先进绿色技术推广应用，壮大绿色能源产业，构建绿色低碳循环经济体系，为支撑和推动新质生产力发展提供可靠的能源基础。
(责编：黄瑾、万鹏)
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