致在赣工作外国专家的新年慰问信
亲爱的外国专家：
江西省科学技术厅厅长 宋德雄
2024年12月31日
A New Year's Letter of Greeting to the International Experts in Jiangxi
Dear foreign experts,
Greetings to you all. The New Year's bell for 2025 will be ringing soon. On behalf of the Jiangxi Science and Technology Department (Jiangxi Foreign Experts Bureau), I would like to extend my best wishes and sincere greetings to you and your family at this time of renewed hopes. We are always grateful to share with you what China has achieved economically and socially, as well as our aspirations for a more promising future！
In July 2024, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held, where an overarching blueprint for further comprehensive reform and advancement of Chinese-style modernization was mapped out. This Session demonstrated China's resolve and confidence to keep moving forward with extensive reform and opening up. For the past year, the country continued to serve as the world's strongest economic growth engine: in the first three quarters, its GDP grew by 4.8% year-on-year; its total grain production exceeded 700 billion kilograms for the first time; its express delivery volume hit a record 150-billion parcels; the number of passengers trips carried by China's railway network reached 4 billion from January to November, attaining another new height; and the annual output of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) surpassed 10 million units, making China the first country in the globe to set this milestone. These breakthroughs in different sectors embody the overall development that is taking place everywhere in this vast land. The year 2024 has seen a surge in new quality productive forces that flourished throughout China, consistently generating fresh competitive edges. Major achievements, including the completed production of the first set of 25 MW-class wind turbine main bearings, the commercial operation of the homemade C919 passenger jet by the three biggest carriers in China, and the launch of the third-generation self-developed superconducting quantum computer “Origin Wukong”, perfectly explain why China has risen to 11th place in the latest global innovation ranking. With the further relaxation and optimization of China's visa-free transit policy, accompanied by the comprehensive upgrading of hospitality services and travel conditions, global tourists increasingly visit China to explore its beauty, and their presence can be captured at the Great Wall, the Bund, the Temple of Heaven and Yuyuan Garden, among many other places. The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) brought together a record number of 297 Fortune 500 companies and industry tycoons. Starting from December 1, the work permit for foreigners has been integrated with the social security card, aimed to provide greater conveniences for international professionals in China. Our determination and actions to share opportunities for progress and growth with the world remain unchanged.
Strong execution and solid effort lead to overcoming difficulties and achieving success. This year, Jiangxi's economy as a whole stayed stable while progressing. The province's GDP grew by 4%, 4.5%, and 4.7% in the first quarter, first half, and first three quarters, respectively, charting an upward curve. Fueled by the Action Plan “1269,” the province consistently advances the transformation and upgrading of established industries, fosters the growth and expansion of new sectors, and strategically positions itself for future industrial developments, thereby laying a firm foundation for building a modern industrial system in Jiangxi that is commonly known as the "four beams and eight pillars". From January to November, the added value of industries above designated size in the province increased by 8.5% year-on-year; and the added value of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing above designated size went up by 14.3% and 13.6% respectively. The industrial economy emerged as the biggest highlight of our economic performance this year. In addition to the above, the following figures—21.5 billion kilograms, the threshold of total annual grain production that has been passed with ease for 12 consecutive years; 4.7%, the year-on-year growth rate of fixed asset investment; 3.7%, the year-on-year growth rate of private investment; and 5.0%, the year-on-year growth rate of total retail sales of consumer goods—all bear witness to the grand journey of Jiangxi's economy as it rides the waves of progress.
This year, the in-depth implementation of the “Six Major Actions for Revitalizing Jiangxi through Science and Technology” carried out by our department cultivated new quality productive forces through the profound integration of innovation in technologies and industry. With a sci-tech innovation index of 64.52%, the province stands 16th in the country, showing a growth rate 2.95 points above the national average that secured it the 2nd position. Total R&D investment exceeded the 60 billion mark, reflecting an investment intensity of 1.88%, which has resulted in its most significant growth rate over the span of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. We have strengthened the cultivation of strategic sci-tech forces by raising the number of state laboratories to two and that of state key laboratories to six. Meanwhile, the construction of the Nanchang laboratory is also picking up speed, and the provincial laboratory for advanced metallic materials has been launched. Among the six provinces in the central region, we have taken the lead in completing the optimization and restructuring of 172 provincial key laboratories. We have embraced the belief that doing sci-tech research is developing industry, and insisted on allocating our sci-tech resources in line with actual industry needs. We have established a project selection mechanism for sci-tech enterprises and launched the “Pioneers 2030” initiative, a major provincial sci-tech project, to build up momentum for new quality productive forces. Our initiatives have been directed towards enhancing the transformation and practical use of R&D findings, as well as ensuring the successful implementation of the“1+M+N”service model for their commercialization. The purpose behind this action is to advance the industrialization of vital research results that carry our own characteristics. Five of our achievements have been recognized with the 2023 National Science and Technology Award.
None of the previously listed accomplishments could have been realized, without the collective efforts and assistance from all parts of the community alongside the indispensable diligence and knowledge of the international professionals. You play a vital role as contributors, witnesses, and advocates in what Jiangxi has made possible. Together with you, Jiangxi flourishes and reaps its rewards. I hereby express my high respect and heartfelt thanks to all of you.
In the coming new year, the Jiangxi Science and Technology Department (Jiangxi Foreign Experts Bureau) will persist in our initiatives to create a welcoming environment and deliver excellent services for everyone interested in working and living here. Our commitment to facilitating your life in China will persist by continuously providing a space where you can enjoy your entrepreneurial endeavors and freely utilize your talents. It is our sincere desire that you will, as you have always in the past, show your interest and endorsement in participating Jiangxi's innovative development. Your personal exciting stories in Jiangxi are sure to draw more overseas professionals to join forces with our local residents in the quest for progress, opportunity, and a shared future. As of December 17 this year, Jiangxi has been added to the list of China's destinations eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. We encourage you to bring your loved ones to explore our province. Here they will be amazed by the magnificent scenery like the Ganjiang River in the sunset overlooked from the winding corridor of Tengwang Pavilion, the delicate blue-and-white porcelains made in Jingdezhen that showcase the highest level of craftsmanship, and, the profound cultural heritage represented by thousands of outstanding literary works.
Those with a common goal will never be kept apart by mountains and seas. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone of you, our friends from afar, for your care and contribution for Jiangxi's undertakings in innovation and technology. Sincerely wishing you and your family a happy new year, every success and much happiness!
Song Dexiong,
Director of Jiangxi Science and Technology Department
December 31, 2024
