Technological innovation has not only enhanced the competitiveness of China's traditional industries but also laid a solid foundation for the development of new quality productive forces, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said on Tuesday at the Ministers' Corridor held on the sidelines of this year's Two Sessions.

Yin said China has made technological inventions in quantum technology, integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, biomedicine and new energy sectors, and its "new three products," namely new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic modules, enjoyed a pleasing export growth rate last year.

China has also put the world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant into operation and its homegrown large passenger jet C919 into commercial operation.

These achievements led to 950,000 technology contracts signed in 2023, with their transaction value reaching 6.15 trillion yuan ($854.4 billion), an increase of 28.6 percent over the previous year, Yin said.

Still, China's investment in research and development exceeded 3.3 trillion yuan ($458.5 billion), representing an increase of 8.1 percent over the previous year, according to the minister.