Editor's note: Zhang Wan is a current affairs commentator. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

China's recent technological achievements, from breakthroughs in humanoid robotics and the expansion of open-source artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystems to the industrial application of quantum information, are being interpreted globally as key signals of a shifting technological landscape. But how do these cutting-edge innovations align so precisely with the country's national strategy? And how do seemingly fragmented efforts across different tech sectors come together to form a cohesive and powerful driver of development? The answer lies in the governance logic of a single concept: "whole-process people's democracy."

The rise of China's new quality productive forces has never been simply a technological race. Rather, it is the natural outcome of a democratic system that captures the needs of the people, builds consensus around development goals, and ensures the fair distribution of the benefits of innovation. At its core, this is innovation with a people-centered foundation.

The direction of technological innovation in China is consistently shaped by a "closed loop" of public input, ensuring that democratic voices directly inform scientific priorities. New, productive forces do not emerge from abstract ideas; they are rooted in people's tangible aspirations for a better life.

Before the Two Sessions, National People's Congress deputies conducting research in rural counties and villages uncovered a pressing challenge: The care gap for empty-nest elderly had become increasingly acute, with access to smart senior care devices remaining limited. These grassroots concerns did not stop at anecdotal observation. They made their way into the national decision-making process through proposals submitted by deputies and members, directly catalyzing policies such as research and development subsidies for smart senior care devices – now formally integrated into the development plan for new quality productive forces.

Similarly, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference members, during visits to small and medium-sized enterprises, found that many micro and small businesses were struggling with the dual hurdles of high digital transformation costs and a shortage of technical talent. It was from these real-world challenges that policies like inclusive services for industrial internet platforms emerged.

This pattern extends further. Accessibility needs raised by people with disabilities have accelerated the real-world deployment of smart navigation and assisted-driving technologies. This is the democratic mechanism at work: transforming everyday concerns into technological focus.

When designing policy for technological innovation, how do you balance technological security with market vitality, short-term breakthroughs with long-term vision, and national strategy with business interests? Democratic consultation is the key to transforming these tensions into collective momentum.

When formulating policies for the AI industry, relevant government departments sought technical input from university research teams and leading enterprises. They incorporated the concerns of small and medium-sized tech companies through industry associations, as well as from some foreign-invested enterprises, to participate in rule discussions.

Take, for example, the development of policies promoting new energy technologies. Policymakers had to reconcile the anxieties of traditional energy workers during the transition with the long-term goals of ecological and environmental protection. Their response was a "just transition" pathway: establishing a transformation fund worth hundreds of billions of yuan, promoting skills certification and developing solar farms and industrial tourism in mining regions, allowing old assets to become new livelihoods.

China's approach reflects a belief that true sustainability does not mean replacing one form of dependency with another. This model of consultative democracy, with participation from diverse stakeholders, ensures that science and technology innovation policies are both strategically ambitious and practically grounded, helping to avoid the social tensions that can arise from one-size-fits-all decision-making.

Who benefits from the fruits of innovation? China's approach to developing new, high-quality productive forces is built on the conviction that the dividends of innovation should reach every citizen.This commitment to shared prosperity is reflected in how innovation is distributed across the country.

Industries related to new, quality productive forces are increasingly taking root in China's central and western regions. Guizhou's big data hub and Chongqing's intelligent equipment manufacturing base are prime examples, creating quality jobs that allow local populations to build careers without leaving their hometowns.

The fruits of innovation also extend into daily life. The large-scale deployment of renewable technologies like solar and wind power has driven down residential electricity costs, making clean energy both an environmental win and a household budget relief, advancing carbon goals while lightening the load on ordinary families.

Beyond China's borders, this inclusive ethos takes on a global dimension. Chinese innovations in cost-effective renewable energy and digital agriculture are being shared with developing countries across Southeast Asia, as well as nations like Brazil, helping address pressing challenges like energy access and food security. In this way, China's technological progress becomes a global public good.

From regional development to fostering South-South cooperation worldwide, the democratic underpinnings of innovation ensure that its benefits transcend geographic and social divides. The guiding principle is clear: Innovation is driven by the people, enabled by the people, and ultimately, shared among the people.

The practice of developing new, quality productive forces in China has demonstrated that technological innovation is not a tool for zero-sum competition, but a vehicle for improving people's livelihoods and promoting shared development. The momentum behind technological breakthroughs comes not only from increased investment in research and development, but more importantly, from the broad consensus forged through democratic mechanisms.

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