Science and Technology Daily:

In the past decade, from the manned spaceship to the Chang'e lunar probe, from the hybrid rice to nuclear power, a number of major projects and equipment from China have attracted worldwide attention. Could you share with us how engineering technology has supported the high-quality development of the Chinese economy? What is the role of the CAE in it? Thank you.

Li Xiaohong:

Thank you for your questions. I'm Li Xiaohong from the CAE. When attending the International Conference on Engineering Science and Technology on June 3, 2014, President Xi Jinping delivered the speech "Let Engineering Science and Technology to Create a Better Future for Humankind," which, I believe, offers a profound insight into engineering science and technology and fully emphasizes the importance of engineering science and technology in economic development. During the past decade, since the 18th CPC National Congress in particular, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China made historic achievements in engineering science and technology. It can be said that the past decade has seen China's most significant progress in engineering science and technology and the fastest improvement in scientific and technological strength. I would like to make three points:

First, a large number of world-class projects were completed during the decade. In terms of space exploration, there is the Tianwen-1 Mars probe, the space station core module Tianhe and the Chang'e lunar probe. At sea, there is the Deep Sea No.1, the country's self-operated deep-water gas field. On land, China's high-speed railways, dams, bridges, and ports are all its hallmarks in the world. We all know that China's high-speed railways have attracted worldwide attention. Regarding bridges, the famous Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is the longest cross-sea bridge in the world. Concerning dams, you probably know the Three Gorges Dam, but we also have the Xiangjiaba Dam, Xiluodu Dam, and Baihetan Dam, among other water conservancy projects. These are all major projects that have been accomplished through development in science and technology in the past decade, and all of them involve efforts from members of the CAE. However, the most important factor behind all these achievements, I think, is that China has given play to its unique new system of concentrating nationwide effort and resources on key national undertakings under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.

Second, members of the CAE have also contributed to major scientific and technological breakthroughs. Whether it is the development of future vehicles and data ports or the development of industrial and supply chains, 5G, Beidou satellites, new energy, advanced nuclear energy, and UHV power transmission, members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering have all pitched in.

Third, engineering science and technology have delivered more benefits to the people. As we all know, food security would be impossible without academician Yuan Longping. Academicians Zhong Nanshan, Zhang Boli, and Chen Wei have contributed to the Healthy China initiative and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Engineering science and technology have also helped win the battles against air, water, and land pollution and strongly supported the continuous improvement of the ecological environment. In addition, the CAE has made an important contribution to the west-to-east gas transmission project, the south-to-north water transfer project, the Sichuan-Tibet Railway project, the east-to-west computing resource transfer project, as well as poverty alleviation through science and technology and the realization of the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. That's all I would like to say. Thank you.

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