Editor's note: This article is part of CGTN's series called "A New Vision for China's Economic Future," in which global economists and eminent academics share their personal views and insights on China's economic development. Xie Maosong is a senior fellow of the Taihe Institute and a senior researcher at the National Institute of Strategic Studies at Tsinghua University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.

In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed the acceleration of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and improvement.

To meet China's strategic needs, the country will concentrate resources on original and pioneering scientific and technological research, in order to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies within key fields, according to Xi. 

This requires leveraging the institutional advantages of pooling resources and efforts, while reinforcing the leadership of the Party and the state in major scientific and technological innovations. The new system for mobilizing nationwide resources needs to be improved.

China's comprehensive goal is to build a modern country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which can only be accomplished through high-quality economic development driven by technological innovation.

However, external challenges have emerged, with certain countries launching technological wars and blockades against China since 2018, particularly regarding core technologies in key fields. The "chip war" launched by the United States last year with the introduction of the chip bill against China is unprecedented.

The new nationwide system is strategically foresighted under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Xi pointed out that "core technologies cannot be purchased or obtained by asking favors from others or by begging." Only by keeping key and core technologies in China's own hands, can we fundamentally guarantee the country's economic security, national defense security, and overall security.

Xi emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges in core technology research in the current context. A task-oriented approach would involve focusing on specific areas and major objectives related to the country's industry, economy, and national security. By identifying the main direction for core technology breakthroughs, China can advance key research and development and pave the way for future development.

The national strategy for core technology research requires clear goals and orientation, which will then determine the leadership and organizational mechanisms to be employed.

This represents a new nationwide system that encompasses task orientation and goal orientation. It is essential to distinguish the strategic task of developing first-mover advantages and cutting-edge foundational technologies from general high-tech research and development. 

Successful implementation requires comprehensive planning and coordination through the mobilization of social organizations under the guidance of the party and the state, which leverage the institutional advantages of China's new nationwide system.

Hence, the crucial aspect of core technology research lies not only in science and technology, but firstly in a strategic approach and management propelled by demand. Strategic objectives would pave the way for China to adopt a fresh organizational approach, one that dismantles barriers like departmental divisions.

By prioritizing national strategic needs and tasks, the state, market, and society can be integrated harmoniously. Consequently, the country can effectively chart scientific plans, consolidate resources, refine mechanisms, and foster cooperation. Ultimately, these will contribute to addressing pivotal challenges.

The strategic level of the new nationwide system is firstly reflected in General Secretary Xi Jinping's strategic foresight and the political decision to formulate national strategies. From this, under strategic direction and initiative, there is a multi-level strategy of division of labor.

The new nationwide system concentrates forces to accomplish major tasks through organized mobilization. This is achieved through centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and the establishment of an authoritative decision-making and command system. Collaborative research, efficient allocation of resources, and interdisciplinary cooperation are crucial to tackle key problems in core technology development.

The relationship between politics and the market must be improved to foster a better combination of an effective market and government. This involves strengthening the dominant position of enterprises in technological innovation, transforming government technology management functions, creating an innovation-friendly environment, and stimulating innovation vitality.

Government, industry, education, research, and application need to be thoroughly integrated, requiring collaboration. This should be encouraged between small, medium and large-sized innovation enterprises. 

Core technology research fundamentally relies on scientific and technological capabilities. For the United States, fundamental in the plan of hindering China's technological capabilities is attacking China's scientific research and development.

Scientific and technological capabilities are fundamentally the role of stimulating people's subjectivity. Therefore, the secret of the new nationwide system lies in stimulating, organizing, and mobilizing the aspirations of all individuals and sectors.