Scientific and technological innovation has always been a hot topic among representatives and committee members at Shanghai’s two sessions. It’s no exception this year. Strengthening original scientific and technological innovation and expanding the supply of high-level technologies is one of the “four major functions” that Shanghai will focus on during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. In particular, the Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of last year gave top priority to enhancing national strategic scientific and technological strength in the plan for next year, raising the positioning of and requirements for scientific and technological innovation. In face of the major strategic task and opportunity, Shanghai needs to take a long-term view and make conscientious planning. In the Chinese language, there is only the term of “Ce Yuan Di (which means original place in English).” It can be said that “Ce Yuan (original)” is a new term coined with the progress of the times. As Shanghai, according to the requirements of the central government, keeps accelerating the construction of a scientific and technological innovation center with global influence, “Ce Yuan (original)” has been associated with innovation more frequently, forming a fixed collocation. The concept of “original innovation” has gradually become clearly-defined, added more connotations and gained universal recognition in the process of reform. In the author’s opinion, in the context of scientific and technological innovation, “Ce Yuan” can be interpreted from two perspectives - “Ce” and “Yuan.” “Ce” means planning and launching, as well as the drive to spring into action after thoughtful planning. “Yuan” means a source or a seed, as well as the strategic focus that success will follow if we take advantage of the situation. Therefore, strengthening original scientific and technological innovation will enable Shanghai to achieve greater success through targeted efforts. The government work report and the 14th Five-Year Plan and Outline for Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 (draft) released at Shanghai’s two sessions this year testify to the fact that the city of innovation has gained a profound understanding of original innovation, and succeeded in striking a balance between tremendous drive and strategic focus. For example, in the future, Shanghai will not only focus on the “planning” on the government side, including building a new national scientific and technological innovation system, establishing a new organization and implementation model for making breakthroughs in core technologies, etc, but will also pay attention to the “sources” on the market side, such as promoting the vigorous development of diverse innovation entities, stimulating the innovation momentum and vitality of market players. Meanwhile, Shanghai lays emphasis on both “performing practical deeds” and “building up momentum.” The former includes implementing the “three major programs,” cultivating a batch of enterprises engaged in “hard and core technologies” to be listed on the STAR Market, and accelerating breakthroughs in core technologies, so as to improve the quality and quantity of economy through innovation more directly. The latter includes attracting national laboratories, major scientific and technological infrastructures, World Laureates Forum, large international scientific projects, etc., to settle down in Shanghai, so as to pool innovation power, provide sunshine and rain for the seeds of breakthroughs “from 0 to 1” and make the seeds bloom. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Shanghai has proposed about 20 main indicators, two of which are related to scientific and technological innovation, namely the proportion of R&D expenditure to the city’s GDP and the number of patents of invention with high value per 10,000 people. The two indicators regarding the “input” and “output” of innovation see new changes compared with the those in the 13th Five-Year Plan period. Last year, Shanghai’s R&D expenditure accounted for 4.1% of its GDP, ranking among the top compared with other countries worldwide. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the target is 4.5% in 2025, almost twice the average of EU countries now. Shanghai has also set the goal that basic research expenditure will account for 12% of R&D expenditure in 2025, which is about 50% higher than the current level. In short, a focus of Shanghai’s scientific and technological innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period is to invest heavily in the front end to strengthen original innovation capability. In terms of patent indicators, during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, Shanghai set a target for the number of patents of invention per 10,000 people. The 14th Five-Year Plan (draft) defines “patents of invention” more precisely as “patents of invention with high value,” and the key to measuring whether the value of the patent is high or not mainly depends on its potential for industrialization. The indicator reflects the government’s intention to highlight its role as a driver for the industry at the rear-end of innovation. Scientific and technological innovation is full of uncertainties in itself. To strengthen original innovation, Shanghai needs to better adapt to and handle uncertainties, in pursuit of the best results. As the 14th Five-Year Plan has embarked on a new journey, the duties shouldered by Shanghai are extremely heavy but glorious. The two sessions in this special period make us realize Shanghai’s ability to master the pace of various tasks. In a word, with courage and wisdom, Shanghai is ready to take immediate action once the plan is made. (Source: WHB.CN)