High-Quality Implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan | Shanxi: Five Years of Scientific Innovation Yield Bountiful Results

On November 17, the Shanxi Provincial Government Information Office hosted the fourth session of its press conference series on “High-Quality Implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan,”featuring the Provincial Department of Science and Technology. The event provided a comprehensive overview of Shanxi’s remarkable advancements in scientific and technological innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

The 14th Five-Year Plan period witnessed unprecedented dynamism and achievement in Shanxi’s scientific innovation landscape. Compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the province has doubled its number of national-level innovation platforms, top-tier scientific talent, and total technology contract transaction value.Focusing on critical industrial chain demands, Shanxi has systematically implemented approximately 600 scientific research projects, yielding numerous landmark innovations.

Chen Wangyuan, Director General of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, highlighted:“Shanxi has achieved breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies that exemplify China’s precisionand China’s speed—including ultra-thin hand-tearable steel, super-thick nuclear reactor steel, the record-setting tunneling system, and the world’s fastest load-adjusting circulating fluidized bed peak regulation system.”

During this period, Shanxi established a distinctive innovation platform system led by national-level facilities and supported by provincial platforms. The number of national innovation platforms grew from 7 to 15.

Zhang Qiguang, Deputy Director General of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, noted:“Several landmark national innovation platforms have been established, including the National Supercomputing Center (Taiyuan), the National Technology Innovation Center for Third-Generation Semiconductors (Shanxi), and the China-Belarus Electromagnetic Environmental Effects ‘Belt and Road’ Joint Laboratory, filling critical gaps in our innovation ecosystem. Six reorganized national key laboratories, focusing on areas like intelligent mining equipment and advanced stainless steel, are increasingly driving industrial advancement.”

It is worth noting that, as a major energy-supply province, Shanxi has made energy technology innovation a strategic priority. The province has emerged as an industry leader through innovations like the “Coal Sea Dragon” tunneling system and intelligent electric shovels for large-scale open-pit mining. The Jinhua Gasifier has solved high-energy gasification challenges, capturing over 50% of the domestic market for similar products. Mature technologies in carbon fiber and graphene have made “low-carbon premium” the hallmark of Shanxi’s coal technology innovation.

Shanxi has deeply integrated talent cultivation throughout the innovation chain, optimizing resource allocation across projects, platforms, and funding. During the 14th Five-Year Plan, various platforms attracted over 20,000 scientific and technological professionals—triple the number at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

Zhao Rui, Deputy Director General of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, explained:“Our approach for major projects has attracted 620 high-caliber external research teams. Over 60% of basic research projects were implemented by young talents, while more than 40% of major projects appoint young scholars as co-leader. We’re rapidly building a large-scale, well-structured talent pool.”

In terms of the transformation of scientific achievements, technology contract transaction values have achieved consistent annual growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with 2024 figures expected to double 2020 levels. From January to October this year, provincial technology contract transactions increased by 40% year-over-year, demonstrating significant progress in commercializing research outcomes.