Phoenix Satellite Television:

The central economic work conference has made arrangements for the building of a modern industrial system. What has the MOF done to support the building of such a system? What are the policy considerations for 2024? Thank you.

Wang Dongwei:

Thank you for your questions. Your questions are very important and have been closely followed by business entities. I will answer your questions.

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that a modern industrial system is the material and technological foundation of a modern country and the focus of economic development must be placed on the real economy. In 2023, the MOF has taken a host of measures in a targeted way to accelerate the building of a modern industrial system underpinned by the real economy. We have taken the following measures:

First, we have accelerated the development of strategic emerging industries. We have introduced the policy of granting extra value-added tax credits for advanced manufacturing enterprises, improved the special funds for the manufacturing industry, government investment funds, insurance compensation for the application of newly developed major technical equipment, and other supporting policies. We have accelerated the advancement of key technologies and industries to make up for shortcomings and enhanced the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains. This has given rise to new industries, business models, and new momentum. Let me give you an example. For the implementation of the insurance compensation policy for the application of newly developed major technical equipment , the central government subsidized 80% of the premiums of insured companies and supported the application of more than 30,000 units or sets of major technical equipment. 

Second, we have quickly promoted the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries. By utilizing the special central fund for boosting the manufacturing sector, we rendered stronger support to new-generation information technologies and industrial internet platforms to provide technological support for the digital transformation of traditional industries. We have allocated 3 billion yuan to pilot the digital transformation of SMEs in various cities. A total of 30 pilot cities have been identified in the first batch on the basis of merit to guide local governments, strengthen policy coordination, and promote the in-depth integration of the digital economy and the real economy.

Third, we have vigorously promoted the development of enterprises that use special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products. We have continued to provide financial awards and subsidies for such SMEs and guided them to be more innovative and specialized. By the end of 2023, we had fostered more than 12,000 national-level "small giant" enterprises that use special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, and over 100,000 provincial ones in China. The national fund for the development of SMEs has been fully tapped into to mobilize non-government capital to support innovation and development of seed and startup-stage SMEs with growth potential. By the end of 2023, the SME development fund had invested in 36 sub-funds, with an accumulative investment of 47.76 billion yuan, of which more than 70% was invested in seed and startup-stage, growth SMEs. 

In 2024, the MOF will focus on developing new types of industrialization and enhancing the core competitiveness of industries. We will give full play to the leading role of fiscal funds and the credit enhancement role of government investment funds to create a lever effect, supporting the rapid development and expansion of strategic emerging industries. Efforts will also be made to promote the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries at a faster pace, promote the cultivation and exploration of new tracks of industries in an accelerated way, and effectively serve the building of a modern industrial system. 

That's all for my answers to the questions. Thank you.

Chen Wenjun:

Thanks to all the speakers and journalists here. Today's briefing is now concluded. See you all.

Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Wang Qian, Wang Yanfang, Liu Sitong, Yan Bin, Wang Wei, Yan Xiaoqing, Guo Yiming, Li Xiao, Zhang Tingting, Li Huiru, Gong Yingchun, Huang Shan, Cui Can, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.