China is bearing down on enhancing high-level sci-tech independence and self-strengthening through a multifaceted strategy, the deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
The deputy minister said that the contribution rate of scientific and technological progress to China's agriculture reached 63.2 percent in 2023, an increase of about 10 percentage points over 2012, and the country is striving hard to plug gap in analogy with the world-beating farming sci-tech levels.
According to him, the ministry will first focus on improving the overall effectiveness of the agricultural science and technology innovation system.
Early this year, the ministry established a leading group and a strategic advisory committee on science and technology innovation to optimize the innovation system.
The efforts include clarifying the roles of national, provincial and municipal agricultural research institutions as well as agricultural universities and agri-tech enterprises to boost the overall effectiveness through their coordinated efforts.
The ministry is also emphasizing an industry-driven approach to innovation, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications by understanding business demands, conducting scenario-based research and soliciting user feedback.
"In the first half of this year, we worked with 17 central ministries to identify 401 key scientific and technological demands and developed a project proposal guide for key research plans in 2024, to enhance the precision and effectiveness of scientific research," said Zhang Xingwang, the deputy minister.
Focusing on the "last mile" of technological transfer, the ministry will further improve on the service models such as dispatching technology experts to the field to learn about user demands.
They will also support new agricultural operating entities, mainly family farms, farmers' cooperatives and agricultural enterprises, as well as technology service providers to accelerate the conversion of research results into productivity.
The ministry also highlights the importance of talent development, planning to refine incentive and evaluation mechanisms and run pilot programs on talent assessment at selected institutions to boost the innovation capabilities of agricultural researchers.
China bears down on enhancing farming sci-tech ingenuity: official
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
