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Speakers:

Liu Guozhong, secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Shaanxi Province

Zhao Yide, vice secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and governor of the People's Government of Shaanxi Province

Wang Xiao, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee

Chairperson:

Chen Wenjun, spokesperson of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee

Date:

June 9, 2021

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Shaanxi province is of great importance in the history of the CPC. The revolutionary base of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces was the foothold of the CPC Central Committee and the Red Army's Long March, as well as the starting point from where the Party led the people's army to head for the frontlines of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and fight for a new China. The older generation of revolutionaries and CPC members left behind precious cultural wealth in Yan'an. This has inspired generations of CPC members to continuously carry forward the Yan'an spirit, strengthen the faith, deepen their sense of Party consciousness, and consistently work hard to make more progress along the correct political direction.

Alongside the celebrations for the CPC's centenary, today we have invited Mr. Liu Guozhong, secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Shaanxi Province; Mr. Zhao Yide, vice secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and governor of the People's Government of Shaanxi Province; and Mr. Wang Xiao, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee. They will brief you on issues related to "Shaanxi: Carrying forward the Yan'an spirit and endeavoring to write a new chapter of accelerated growth in the new era," and then take your questions.

Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Liu.

Liu Guozhong:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. As we prepare to celebrate the centenary of the CPC, it is my pleasure to meet with you here. First, on behalf of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, the People's Government of Shaanxi Province, and the 39.5 million hardworking and brave people of Shaanxi, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our friends from the media for their long-term care and support for our province.

Shaanxi is one of the key birthplaces of the Chinese nation and its civilization. It bears witness to China's glorious revolutionary history. The revolutionary base of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces was the foothold of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Red Army's Long March, as well as the starting point from where the Eighth Route Army headed for the frontlines of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression. The base was also the only complete revolutionary base left in China during the late stage of the Agrarian Revolutionary War (1927-1937). Staying in Yan'an for 13 years, the CPC Central Committee led China's revolutionary endeavor to reach its upsurge, achieving a historic turning point. The Yan'an spirit has become a significant component of the CPC's spiritual pedigree. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the education and inspiration of the Yan'an spirit, generations of people in Shaanxi have passed on the "red culture" in their genes and worked hard to bring groundbreaking changes to the province. Shaanxi's gross domestic product (GDP) has risen from less than 1.3 billion yuan in the early days of the People's Republic of China to 2.62 trillion yuan in 2020. The average per capita disposable income of urban residents increased from some 300 yuan in the early days of China's reform and opening-up to nearly 38,000 yuan in 2020, meanwhile the figure for rural residents grew from over 100 yuan to more than 13,000 yuan during the same period. Forest coverage also increased from 32.55% before the large-scale efforts of turning marginal farmland into forest to over 45% in 2020.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has paid great attention to Shaanxi's development. In February 2015, when General Secretary Xi inspected the province and visited local cadres and people, he pointed out that "Shaanxi is experiencing accelerated growth," and required us to make solid effortsin the five aspects of promoting sustained and healthy economic growth, developing modern agriculture with local advantages, strengthening cultural development, ensuring and improving people's wellbeing, and enforcing full and rigorous self-discipline of the Party. General Secretary Xi inspected Shaanxi again last April, expressing his earnest expectation that the province should "endeavor to write a new chapter of accelerated growth in the new era," and put forward another five requirements: making more efforts on high-quality economic development, establishing reform and opening-up areas in inland regions, continuously improving the environment, strengthening social security and social development, and ensuring strict Party self-governance. All sectors of Shaanxi province have been implementing General Secretary Xi's important remarks as the overarching principles of our work, making concerted and arduous efforts, and striving to make new progress in every field.

First, under the guidance of the important remarks delivered by General Secretary Xi , Shaanxi has sped up efforts to tap into its potential for innovation and creativity. Sci-tech innovation is Shaanxi's most prominent advantage. There are over 100 universities, more than 1,500 scientific research institutes, 66 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as over 2 million professional technical personnel in Shaanxi. The National Time Service Center is located in the province. Meanwhile, Shaanxi's strength in sci-tech has contributed to several of China's major sci-tech achievements such as the Jiaolong deep-sea submersible, the Chang'e lunar probe, and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe. We have been further developing these innovation resources by strengthening innovation efforts from enterprises, supporting entrepreneurship among talents, and providing favorable government policies. All of these have translated into sustained industrial growth in the fields of aviation and aerospace, equipment manufacturing, digital information, artificial intelligence, new materials, biomedicine and many others. Shaanxi ranks high among provinces in western China for the number of listed firms on China's sci-tech innovation board, and its high- and new-tech enterprises grew by 41% last year. Shaanxi's industrial chains in the energy and chemical sector have seen more added value. Its modern agriculture utilizing local advantages is thriving, and one out of every seven apples in the world and every four apples in China comes from Shaanxi. This year, Shaanxi has launched an innovation promotion platform, which will serve as the province's portal for innovation-driven development. The platform has pooled innovation resources from a group of universities, research institutes and enterprises. The move has received a significant amount of positive feedback. Enterprises, sci-tech research institutes, agencies and financing institutes have all sought cooperation via the platform.

Second, under the guidance of the important remarks delivered by General Secretary Xi, Shaanxi has maintained continuous vitality for opening-up and development. Shaanxihas been an important gateway to the outside world since ancient times. More than 2,100 years ago, Zhang Qian, an imperial envoy of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) set out from Chang'an, today's Xi'an, and established the Silk Road, which runs from east to west and connects Europe and Asia. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) once again put Shaanxi at the forefront of China's westward opening-up. Giving full play to this advantage, we have coordinated opening-up both internally and externally, enhanced the development of opening-up channels and platforms including airports, land ports, pilot free trade zones, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) demonstration base for agricultural technology training and exchange, and the Silk Road International Expo. We have also accelerated our steps to build an open economy on a higher level. Despite the impact of COVID-19 last year, the number of China-Europe freight trains – named "Chang'an" – increased by 74%. Shaanxi ranked first in the country in terms of the number, the volume of goods delivered and the percentage of trains fully loaded. Applied foreign investment in the province grew by9.2%, and our imports and exports with countries along the BRI increased by 26.7%. While expanding opening-up, we actively promoted market-oriented reforms and vigorously improved the business environment. Last year, the number of market entities in the province increased by 12%.

Third, under the guidance of the important remarks delivered by General Secretary Xi, Shaanxi has seen visible progress in ecological preservation. Two great rivers, namely, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, run through Shaanxi. The Qinling Mountains, as a natural dividing line between the country's north and south, serve also an important shield for ecological security. Drawing lessons from incidents of illegal villa construction in the Qinling Mountains, we have implemented the idea that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and endeavored to protect our blue skies, clear waters, and clean lands. For the first time, the proportion of areas with a quality ecological environment in the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi exceeded 96%. The Loess Plateau has become the area with the largest increase in green coverage in the country. The Hanjiang River and Danjiang River, with their excellent water quality, have provided 70% of the water delivery volume of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. A total of 10 major cities in the province saw an average of 295 good air quality days last year. The soundecological environment has promoted the reproduction of wild animals. The number of crested ibises in Shaanxi has increased from seven when they were first discovered in 1981 to more than 5,300. The largest and densest population of leopards in China lives in the Ziwuling Forest Area in Yan'an. Shaanxi is a major province of energy production. We are earnestly implementing the central government's deployment and requirements on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, refining the task of carbon reduction to specific projects, specific enterprises and specific places, and accelerating the green and low-carbon development of the economy and society.

Fourth, under the guidance of the important remarks delivered by General Secretary Xi, Shaanxi has consolidated the foundation for ensuring people's well-being. The people's aspiration for a better life is our goal. We have kept improving the wellbeing of the people through development and focused on solving the issues of greatest concern among the people. All 2.88 million impoverished people in rural areas were lifted out of poverty and all 56 poverty-stricken counties were removed from the poverty list. Businesses that leverage local strengths have been growing in the fight against poverty. In Zhashui county, General Secretary Xi applauded the role of the small black fungus in poverty reduction as "small fungus, big industry." The fungus industrial chain provides 65% of work in the county integrating R&D, production, processing, and sales. All counties in Shaanxi have achieved the balanced development of compulsory education. All major cities have been nominated "healthy”"for their wholesome surroundings. The medical service system has been improved, and a social security network covering the entire population has taken shape. We have been steadily advancing cultural development in the province. Community-level public cultural services have been continuously improved and positive progress has been made in pursuing the high-quality development of the cultural industry. The 14th National Games of the People's Republic of China and the 11th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & 8th National Special Olympics Games will be held in Shaanxi this year, which marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC. We would like to invite friends from the media to attend the games and experience the new life of the Shaanxi people.

Fifth, under the guidance of the important remarks delivered by General Secretary Xi, Shaanxi has created a healthier atmosphere of integrity. General Secretary Xi Jinping encouraged Shaanxi to have the ambition and courage to stand at the forefront and ride the waves of our day in the new era. We held Party history learning and education activities in Yan'an, Zhaojin, Malan and other places with sites and heritage related to CPC history to help Party members enhance their faith and confidence and forge the pioneering spirit of hard work. We urged them to work for accelerated growth in a down-to-earth manner and ensure the Two Upholds (upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership) with concrete action. We have been making continuous and tireless efforts to tighten discipline and improve Party conduct, fight corruption and punish wrongdoing, and resolutely eradicate the pernicious influence of Zhao Zhengyong. We continued moving further forward with full and rigorous governance over the Party, thus ensuring the implementation of General Secretary Xi's important remarks, and decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee.

Reviewing new progress in the various undertakings of Shaanxi province as a reflection of the remarkable accomplishments achieved by the Party and the country, we have a deeper understanding that General Secretary Xi Jinping is at the core of the Party Central Committee and the Party as a whole, and is the backbone and anchor of all Party members and all the Chinese people as we move forward. We also have a deeper understanding that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is Marxism in contemporary China and in the 21st century and has incomparable power of truth and practice. After entering a new phase and embarking on a new journey, we will rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and carefully study and put into practice the principles from General Secretary Xi Jinping's important remarks during his inspection tours in Shaanxi. We will follow a new development philosophy based on an accurate and comprehensive understanding and implement the "five requirements" and "five solids" to promote high-quality development, ensure high life quality and achieve high-efficiency governance. We will carry forward the Yan'an Spirit and work hard with courage and perseverance to write a new chapter of accelerated growth in the new era. That's my introduction, thank you.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you, Mr. Liu. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify your news outlets before asking questions.

CCTV:

Thank you. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that Shaanxi was experiencing accelerated growth during his inspection tour to the province in 2015. When he visited Shaanxi again last year, he required Shaanxi to write a new chapter of accelerated growth in the new era. Could you please brief us on what Shaanxi has done in implementing the important instructions of the General Secretary over the past year? What are your plans next? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you. Last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping made another inspection tour to Shaanxi. He drew a grand blueprint for the province's economic and social development and people's well-being in the new era. This has greatly stimulated the drive to conduct work across the province. Both the officials and people have adopted a new enthusiastic attitude, pooling their will and strength to achieve accelerated growth in the new era.

Over the past year, we have used the important instructions made by the General Secretary to achieve unity in thinking, will and action. We have kept checking ourselves and maintained alignment. We have divided tasks in detail and focused on implementation. New progress has hence been made in economic and social development and Party building. Going forward, we will exert more pressure, increase intensify, and speed up efforts to keep fully  implement the five requirements (making greater strides in promoting high-quality economic development, developing an inland pacesetter of reform and opening-up, achieving constant improvement of eco-environment, enhancing people's well-being and social development, and enforcing full and strict governance over the Party) set out by the General Secretary for Shaanxi, and deliver a good performance to ensure stability on six fronts (employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment and market expectations), and maintain security in six areas (jobs, daily living needs, food and energy, industrial and supply chains, the interests of market players and the smooth functioning of grassroots government) to ensure that new accomplishments can be made every year to pursue accelerated growth in the new era .

First, we will make greater strides in promoting high-quality economic development. Among the five requirements laid out by the General Secretary, the first is high-quality economic development. With high political awareness, we have earnestly implemented the new development philosophy; made in-depth, accurate and effective efforts to deliver the 14th Five-Year Plan; deepened supply-side structural reform; promoted high-quality development through high-quality projects; and accelerated the building of a modern industrial system with Shaanxi characteristics. Last year, we organized group visits to key projects throughout the province to draw on their experiences. This year, on the first day after the Spring Festival holiday, we launched more than 900 key projects. This helped enhance the focus on vigorously promoting high-quality projects across the province. Next, we will let the power of innovation drive us to upgrade traditional industries, develop strategic emerging industries, and nurture modern agriculture with distinctive features, so as to ensure that more high-quality projects are well-planned, effectively implemented, and successfully delivered.

Second, we will develop an inland pacesetter of reform and opening-up. The General Secretary urged us to focus on major reform measures that are fundamental, essential and comprehensive, and urged us to integrate deeply into the grand landscape of the Belt and Road Initiative. We have stuck to deepening reform and opening wider on all fronts. The time taken to start a business was cut to three working days. A number of reform and innovation measures adopted in the pilot free trade zone were replicated and applied across the country. The number of enterprise exhibitors at the Fifth Silk Road International Exposition reached a record high. Looking forward, we will effectively promote market-based allocation of production factors. We will streamline administration and delegate power, improve regulation, and upgrade services. We will advance reforms in key areas and key links concerning state capital and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). We will foster a business environment that is based on market principles, governed by law, and up to international standards. At the same time, we will move faster to address our major weakness of not opening wide enough; promote the development of foreign companies, foreign trade and foreign investment in a synchronizing manner; and develop channels, platforms and environment simultaneously to better serve and integrate ourselves into the new development paradigm.

Third, we will facilitate sustained improvement of eco-environment. The General Secretary pointed out that the eco-environment protection of Shaanxi not only concerns its own development quality and sustainability, but also bears on the overall eco-environment of the country. While pursuing accelerated growth in the new era, we have firmly defended the bottom line of ecological security, and made great efforts to promote the green transformation of economic and social development, and in turn, made new progress in the province's ecological conservation. Next, we will conduct systemic management of the mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, roll out major conservation and restoration projects in key ecological areas such as the Qinling Mountains and the Yellow River, systemically protect the water source of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and comprehensively build green ecological security shields. We will strive to win the critical battle of pollution prevention and control; promote total resource management, scientific allocation, comprehensive conservation and recycling; and make sure that all aspects of economic and social development are green and low-carbon.

Fourth, we will enhance people's well-being and social development. The General Secretary stressed that people's well-being underpins their happiness and social harmony. As a province with higher levels of poverty previously, we were able to rid absolute poverty alongside other areas in the country last year. In the future, we will foster a high-quality life based on the consolidation and expansion of our poverty elimination achievements. We will develop more characteristic industries like turning small fungus business into an industry, cultivate more market entities that can create good job opportunities, and do everything possible to put money into people's pockets. At the same time, we will do everything within our power, set priorities, and handle every small issue well in the fields of education, culture, healthcare, social security, old-age care, childcare and housing to help people recognize the big changes in their lives. For example, the renovation of old urban residential communities and supporting infrastructure last year benefited 412,400 households. The restaurants set up for elderly people living alone solved their cooking problems. These achievements were thought highly of by the public. We will continue to work hard to deliver a happier life to the people of the province.

Fifth, we will move further forward with full and strict governance over the Party. The General Secretary emphasized that Party building can play a big role at critical moments only when it's conducted fully and effectively at ordinary times. Over the past year, we have exercised strict self-governance, and Party members and officials have become more energetic and pragmatic in their conduct. Going forward, we will not let up on any front to carry out full and strict discipline over the Party. We will strictly deal with corruption, and firmly oppose formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism to ensure that Party members and officials perform their duties with sincerity and integrity. We will continue to make pressure felt at every level and provide incentives. We will make good use of the "three mechanisms" to encourage and stimulate Party members and officials, allow for and address errors, and encourage officials to be adaptive in promotion and demotion. Additionally, we will fully inspire the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of various parties. We will make sure everyone is conscious of their involvement and responsibility in the pursuit of accelerated growth in the new era, so that the blueprint drawn by the General Secretary for Shaanxi can be turned into a reality. Thank you!

CNR Business Radio:

We all know that Yan'an is a sacred place for the Chinese revolution and that the spirit of Yan'an was formed during the 13 years that the CPC Central Committee spent there. On the occasion of the centenary of the founding of the CPC, what will Shaanxi do to promote the learning of CPC history via its education campaign and make use of red resources so as to carry forward the spirit of Yan'an? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you for your question. The CPC's time in Yan'an is one of the most significant parts of the Party's history. The spirit of Yan'an, which was formed during this period, has become the most precious treasure of our Party. It calls for being firm in the right political direction, emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, serving the people wholeheartedly, and developing self-reliant and pioneering efforts. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made explicit requirements to promote the spirit of Yan'an in his two inspection tours to Shaanxi province. During the Party history learning and education campaign, we have been exploring new elements of thespirit of Yan'an. By prioritizing Party history, we have focused on the past, present, and future so as to closely follow the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in thinking, stance, and action.

First, we will adhere to the correct political direction, and firmly uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committeeand in the Party as a whole as well as uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. In Yan'an, the leading position of Comrade Mao Zedong in the Party was further established at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth CPC Central Committee. The Seventh CPC National Congress established Comrade Mao Zedong as the leader of the CPC Central Committee, and the Party as a whole thus marched forward by upholding the banner of Mao Zedong. In the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping is leading the Party, military, and all the Chinese people to brave the waves and break through brambles and thorns in order to ensure the cause of the Party and the country, make historic achievements, and realize tremendous transformation. As the core of the CPC Central Committee and of the Party as a whole, General Secretary Xi Jinping's direction is the right direction tha tChinese Communists in the new era will follow. By connecting the past with the present, we will tell the story of Yan'an and how the whole Party obeys the Central Committee, and how the people follow the leadership. We will encourage Party members and cadres to deepen their understanding of the Party's history since the 18th CPC National Congress and feel General Secretary Xi Jinping's courage, foresight, wisdom, and ambition, so as to ensure their loyalty to the leadership core, uphold the leadership core, and stayaligned.

Second, we will be firm in our ideals, convictions, and faith, and stick to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in order to emancipate our minds and achieve unity in thought. In Yan'an, the Party developed Mao Zedong Thought by combining Marxism with China's reality, which served as a guide to secure victory in the New-Democratic Revolution. In the new era, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have adopted an entirely new perspective to deepen their understanding of the laws that underlie governance by the Communist Party, as well as their understanding of the development of socialism and the evolution of humanity, which resulted in creating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Under the guidance of this thought, our country, the Chinese nation, and the people have established unprecedented self-confidence and cohesion. By combining the past with the present, we will better arm ourselves with theory and carry out the thematic campaign of learning Party history and striving for development in the new era. We will focus on thematic learning, launch learning activities at the old revolutionary sites, and hold online exhibitions so as to encourage Party members and cadres to deepen their understanding of the Party's new theories and maintain deep belief in and faithfully practice Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Third, we will firmly uphold the philosophy of putting people first and implement people-centered development in our work. In Yan'an, the principle of serving the Chinese people wholeheartedly was incorporated into the CPC Constitution. As such, the people had been provided with tangible material benefits and Party cadres spared no effort to serve the people. In the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping is leading the whole Party to strive for people's aspirations for a better life and to address their concerns, deliver results for their well-being, and achieve remarkable social progress and improve people's livelihoods. These have won the genuine support and love of the people. By connecting the past and present, we will further enhance education regarding ourmission and tell well the stories of General Secretary Xi Jinping in the village of Liangjiahe, where he lived and worked hard with local people as a Party member and the Party chief of the primary-level Party organization. This will encourage Party members and cadres to actively deliver and serve the people and take the initiative to fulfill their responsibilities by addressing problems that concern the people and ensure people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

Fourth, we will work hard and live simply, and embark on the new journey with pragmatic and persistent efforts.In the time when Yan'an was the seat of the CPC Central Committee, the CPC, in the face of the external challenge of Japanese aggression and the internal challenge posed by the Kuomintang counterrevolutionaries, had been self-reliant and worked diligently on the barren land to open up new horizons for the revolutionary cause. In the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping is leading the Party, military, and all the Chinese people to tackle tough issues head-on as well as pioneer and march forward, which has significantly increased China's economic, technological, and composite national strengths and helped the Chinese nation stand tall and firm in the East. By combining the past and present, we will take full advantage of the old revolutionary sites, such as those in Fenghuangshan, Yangjialing, Zaoyuan, Nanniwan, Zhaojin, and Malan, and encourage Party members and cadres to further understand that socialism was established through action and the new era will be no different. Party members and cadres should adopt pragmatic measures, keep a low profile, and chart the course forward so as to achieve new horizons in the reform, opening up, and the building of a modern Shaanxi province. Thank you.

Shangyou News:

General Secretary Xi Jinping has called for concerted efforts to promote ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River as critical to the great rejuvenation and sustainable development of the Chinese nation. As an important province in the Yellow River basin, what efforts will Shaanxi take to promote the ecological protection and high-quality development of the basin during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025)? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you. I will let Mr. Zhao Yide answer your question.

Zhao Yide:

Thank you. As you all know, the peace of the Yellow River is significant to the stability of China. The Yellow River is an important ecological barrier and ecological corridor in China, while the Yellow River basin is an important area for ecology, agricultural production, economic development, and culture and tourism.

The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. The protection of the Yellow River is critical to the Chinese nation. As a major national strategy, we should make systematic plans and overall advancements. The Yellow River flows for 719 km within Shaanxi. The total area, population and economic volume of the Yellow River basin accounts for 65%, 76% and 87%, respectively, in Shaanxi province. Protecting the ecological environment and pursuing high-quality development in the region is very important both for Shaanxi and the country as a whole.

The CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and the provincial government has implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions on the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. We will continue to work to protect the mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands and address their deterioration at their source in a coordinated manner. A total of 28.32 million mu of marginal farmland has been returned to forest or grassland. A total of 8.6 million mu of shifting sandy land along the Yellow River has been fixed or partially fixed. The successful experience of sand control has extended Shaanxi's green area 400 km northward. Last year, the proportion of 32 water sections which was graded in categories I-III in the province, was higher than the national standard.

The key to the governance of the Yellow River is protection and management. Next, we will uphold the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and ensure we implement the overall plan of ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. We will continue to prioritize ecological conservation, pursue a green development path, use water resources from the Yellow River as their capacity permits, and make development efforts in consideration of local conditions. Measures will be adopted to solve the problems of "muddy water, dirty water, flooding, waterlogging and water scarcity" as well as to promote the building of pilot zones for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. To sum up, protecting the Yellow River is of utmost importance.

We will take measures to protect the Yellow River in four aspects.

First, sand reduction and control. The Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi is an important source of sediment in the Yellow River. We will follow the natural laws to seize the key of regulating the water-sediment relationship by planting grass and trees, and damming against the sand. We will take comprehensive steps to control desertification and soil erosion to realize "double decreases" of soil erosion area and soil erosion intensity, and "double reductions" of water erosion and wind erosion. We will turn marginal farmland into forests and grasslands, build artificial forest ecological projects as part of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program to control the sources of sandstorms affecting Beijing and Tianjin, and protect and restore virgin forests. We will build silt dams to reduce the amount of mud and sand entering the Yellow River. There used to be a saying: "Scoop a bowl of water from the Yellow River and the bowl will be half full of sand." We will relegate this situation to the history books.

Second, water pollution control. The Yellow River's pollution appears in its water, the problem lies in the basin, and its root is on the shore. Therefore, we will regulate the rivers and watercourses. It is necessary to implement the accountability system among river chiefs, policies of "One River, One Strategy" and "One Lake, One Strategy," and pollution prevention and control in important tributaries of Weihe River, Yanhe River, Beiluohe River and Wudinghe River to purify the "capillaries" of the Yellow River. Meanwhile, we will control pollution and strictly implement the pollutant-discharge licensing system in the Yellow River basin to increase the urban sewage treatment capacity, prohibit direct discharges of industrial effluents and urban sewage, and take stronger action to address agricultural pollution from non-point sources. In addition, we will address problems at the source to strictly control projects with high energy consumption and emissions, promote cleaner production, build a green production system, and encourage green ways of living.

Third, optimize the energy structure and adjust the industrial structure. Some parts of Shaanxi's section of the Yellow River basin is an important national energy base. It undertakes the strategic responsibility of ensuring national energy security and the goals of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. We will prioritize cutting pollution and carbon emissions and forging policy synergy as key tasks to achieve greener economic and social development in all aspects. We will accelerate the pace of energy structure adjustments, promote the clean, low-carbon and efficient use of energy, and establish demonstration zones for creative promotion of energy revolution. Meanwhile, we will accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, and explore new methods with regional characteristics to develop strategic emerging industries, high-tech industries and cultural tourism.

Fourth, we will deliver benefits to the people. With a view of "when the Yellow River is harnessed, China will enjoy tranquility," we will promote construction of the Dongzhuang water control project on the Jinghe River, to regulate the lower north main-stem of the Yellow River to deliver more benefits to the people. With the aim of achieving sustainable water resource utilization, we will carry out policies for water resources guiding the scale of urban development, the capacity of cultivated land and construction land, the size of population and the industrial structures, work to strictly curb the total amount and intensity of water consumption, and meet reasonable water demands for production, living and ecological purposes in the Yellow River basin.

Further efforts should be made to protect the Yellow River. We will carry forward the Yellow River culture, unearth the value of the times, enrich the supply of products, and tell the "Yellow River's story" well to preserve and pass down the precious heritage of our ancestors and safeguard China's "Mother River." Thank you.

Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:

Secretary Liu just mentioned that the Chang'an China-Europe freight trainservicein Shaanxi has achieved positive results during thepandemic. How will Shaanxi seize the opportunity of the Belt and Road to expand its opening up, and what other measures will be taken? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

I'd like to thank the journalist from Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine. Mr. Zhao will answer this question.

Zhao Yide:

Thank you very much for your interest in the Chang'an freight train service. Just now, Secretary Liu presented a general introduction. I would like to add some details. The China-Europe freight trains have indeed attracted much attention from home and abroad. It is the flagship program and the top brand for jointly building the Belt and Road. In recent years, we have conscientiously implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on actively integrating into the Belt and Road initiative. We have taken the China-Europe freight train service (Chang'an) as a key driver and a powerful engine to expand Shaanxi's opening up, and also made every effort to promote the rapid, sound and high-quality development of Shaanxi.

At present, the Chang'an freight train service has 15 domestic routes and 15 international lines. Last year, it operated 3,720 trains, with a cargo volume of 2.811 million metric tons, ranking the first in China in terms of shipping volume, loaded container ratio, and freight volume. It has managed to achieve growth against the prevailing trends. It is not only a "golden train" that promotes unimpeded trade between Asia and Europe and ensures the security of the global supply chain, but has also become a "life train" for the joint international fight against the pandemic and protecting the health of people around the world. It has been widely praised at home and abroad. From January to May this year, 1,512 trains were operated with a cargo volume of 1.115 million metric tons, which continued to maintain a growth trend. Currently, the focus of our strategic position is to accelerate construction of the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) assembly center. In accordance with the overall goals of consolidation, stability and improvement, and relying on the Xi'an International Port Station, which is the largest international hub station in northwestern China, we will integrate the functions of comprehensive bonded areas, comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zones and other platforms. We will strengthen construction of informatization and intelligent infrastructure, build a guarantee system providing mutual support for innovation chains, industrial chains, supply chains, data chains, financial chains and policy chains, and steadily promote the market-oriented operation and high-quality development of the Chang'an freight train service. At the same time, we will promote the joint development of the port industry, port trade and port city in the Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park, and build an important trade and logistics hub for the Belt and Road.

As we all know, Shaanxi was the starting point of the Silk Road in the past, and now it is an important node of the Belt and Road. General Secretary Xi Jinping called on us to "create a highland for inland reform and opening up" and provide Shaanxi a higher position and more glorious mission in reform and opening up in the new era. We will keep in mind the general secretary's instructions, seize the major opportunity of jointly building the Belt and Road, work more consciously to build a new pattern of development and earnestly implement the requirements for policy communication, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people connectivity. We also must pay the same attention to internal and external development, platforms and carriers, hardware and software, and foreign trade and foreign investment. We will build the province into an important fulcrum of the domestic circulation and a strategic link of domestic and international circulations. We will strive to make us more famous and influential as China's important window of overall opening up in the new era.

Specifically, we will make efforts to seek breakthroughs in four aspects.

First, we will seek breakthroughs in building channels. We need to focus on our many advantages, such as being located in China's geographic center, having an inland port with both international and domestic port codes, and having the largest railway logistics distribution center in Asia. We will accelerate construction of the multiple-cross railway network and highway network, connect the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in the west, and improve road access for the new Asia-Europe continental bridge. We will make the aviation and logistics network cover the whole world, and build Asia-Europe land-sea trade routes that connect eastern, central and western China, that connect land, sea and air, that are open to Central Asia, South Asia and West Asia, and have high efficiency, low cost and excellent services.

Second, we will seek breakthroughs on strong platforms. We need to focus on the three major experimental demonstration platforms of the Free Trade Zone, the Airport Economic Zone and the agriculture demonstration base of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); the three major ports of aviation, railway and electronics; and the three major international exhibitions of the Silk Fair, the China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair and the Eurasian Economic Forum. We will improve their functions and capacities, jointly promote the construction of international cooperation industrial parks and major production capacity cooperation projects, and build an important industrial base of the Belt and Road.

Third, we will seek breakthroughs through deep exchanges. We will make use of our advantages in science, education and cultural resources, and further deepen and expand foreign cooperation and exchanges in many fields such as education, science and technology, culture, tourism, cultural relics and archaeology, public health, sports events and the construction of friendship cities. We will build an important people-to-people exchange base for the Belt and Road.

Fourth, we will seek breakthroughs in creating an optimal environment. We will deepen reforms to streamline administration and delegate power, improve regulation, and upgrade services. We will speed up digital transformation, establish good policies, reduce approval procedures, provide more services and cut administration costs. We will create a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment, so that key elements including talents, capital and data gather in Shaanxi, rapidly develop and continue to nurture new technologies, new business forms and new models. Thank you.

Guangming Daily:

We all know that Shaanxi has accumulated a profound cultural significance. What measures and achievements has Shaanxi made in strengthening its cultural construction? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you. Mr. Wang Xiao, please answer this question.

Wang Xiao:

Thank you for your question. During his two visits to Shaanxi, General Secretary Xi Jinping placed high hopes on Shaanxi's cultural construction, assigned important tasks, pointed the way forward, and provided a fundamental guide for Shaanxi to strengthen its cultural self-confidence and build a culturally strong province.The Shaanxi Provincial CPC Committee and the provincial government will keep in mind the earnest entrustment of General Secretary Xi Jinping, enhance the "Four Consciousnesses" (consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment), strengthen the "Four Self-confidences" (confidence in the socialist path, theories, system, and culture), and achieve the "Two Upholds" (upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and the CPC as a whole and upholding the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership), and give full play to Shaanxi's advantages in unique cultural resources and a profound cultural accumulation. Additionally, we will continue to promote Chinese excellent traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture in order for it to take root, develop, inherit, and sublimate in Shaanxi, the land of the ancient Three Qins. In our practice of striving to compose a new chapter in the new era of Shaanxi to catch up and go beyond, we will write Shaanxi's chapter in the journey of building China into a strong cultural power. Our work is mainly reflected in the following four aspects:

First, we continue to work hard and strive to hold high the banner of ideology and to strengthen the Party's innovative theoretical arms. Shaanxi has the historical and political advantages of studying, promoting, and implementing the Party's innovative theories. We have learned and used the Party's experiences and practices in learning, promoting, and implementing Mao Zedong Thought, and unremittingly used Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to unite our hearts and build our souls. We made good use of the columns such as "Under the Guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" set up by Shaanxi Daily and the Shaanxi Broadcasting Corporation; constructed a theory dissemination matrix for newspapers, magazines, TV, radio channels, networks, social media, mobile apps, and billboards; and improved the theory popularization work system so as to explain the latest achievements of the Party's theoretical innovation clearly and sincerely and to educate and guide the cadres and the public to combine the "love" for General Secretary Xi Jinping with the "trust" in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Finally, we will strive to contribute to Shaanxi's promotion of the Party's innovative theories in the new era.

Second, we continue to work hard and strive to build the red soul and inherit the revolutionary culture. Shaanxi possesses valuable cultural wealth such as the Yan'an Spirit that will illuminate the future. We have steadily carried out publicity and education of the Party's centenary and the study and education of Party's history, deeply explored the connotation of the Yan'an Spirit, gave full play to the advantages of red resources in places such as Yan'an, Zhaojin, and Malan, vigorously promoted revolutionary culture, strengthened revolutionary traditional education, brought 1,224 immovable revolutionary cultural relics and 104,000 pieces of movable revolutionary cultural relics in the province to life, continuously unleashed the work effects on revolutionary cultural relics through connecting points, lines, belts, and regions, and strived to make Shaanxi's contributions to the inheritance and promotion of the spiritual pedigree of China's communists.

Third, we continue to work hard and strive to grasp the new era and build an advanced socialist culture. Shaanxi has a cultural tradition of "creating literature and arts for the people, creating literature and arts for the time, and cherishing the literature and arts for their innovation." We have insisted on guiding cultural construction with the core values of socialism, deepened the supply-side structural reforms in cultural fields, intensified the creation of cultural works with major realistic themes and revolutionary themes; expanded the influences of cultural brands such as the "Shaanxi Literary Army," "Chang'an Painting School," "Western China's Films and TV Series," "Shaanxi Operas"; and broke through the chain of "literary creation - film and television scripts - literature and art works"; presented a batch of TV and film smash hits and masterpieces such as "Stage Builder," "Liu Qing," "Forever Young," and "The Cradle"; innovatively implemented cultural projects benefiting the people and continued to improve the construction level of the new-era civilized practice stations and county-level media convergence centers; strengthened foreign cultural exchanges and cooperation; and strived to make Shaanxi's contributions to the development of advanced socialist culture.

Fourth, we continue to work hard and strive to build deep cultural roots and promote excellent traditional Chinese culture. Shaanxi has unique, profound, and excellent Chinese traditional cultural resources. We insist that both are important for protection and inheritance, as well as for providing demonstration and guidance. We guarded and revitalized Shaanxi's historical and cultural heritages, strengthened the protection and utilization of cultural relics, implemented national archaeological projects such as "Archaeology in China" and the "Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilization," and promoted the construction of major projects such as the Great Wall National Cultural Park, the Long March National Cultural Park, and the Yellow River National Cultural Park (Shaanxi section). We have built four national archaeological heritage parks, promoted the protection and inheritance of the intangible cultural heritage of the Yellow River Basin, refined and displayed the spiritual symbols of the excellent Chinese traditional culture, and strived to make Shaanxi's contributions to safeguarding the cultural roots of the Chinese nation.

Thank you!

The Poster News APP:

Mr. Liu just mentioned that China's 14th National Games will be held in Shaanxi province. How are the preparations going? What can we expect from the Games? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you for your questions. Mr. Zhao Yide will answer these questions.

Zhao Yide:

Thank you for your questions. The night before yesterday, we held an event marking the 100-day countdown to the opening of the 14th National Games. This year's National Games is the first time that the event has entered the central and western regions of China. It will also be the first time that the National Games and the National Special Olympic Games are to be held in the same year and at the same place, which is of great significance. Hosting this grand meeting is not only a sacred mission entrusted to Shaanxi, but also a solemn commitment made by Shaanxi to the country. We have conscientiously implemented the important instruction made by General Secretary Xi Jinping to "hold a splendid spectacle of sports." Under the strong guidance of the General Administration of Sport of China, China Disabled Persons' Federation and other ministries and commissions, with the active support of all sectors of society, and the joint efforts of the whole province, the preparatory work has achieved important results. This is reflected in five aspects:

First, the construction has been "fast," and the competition venues have all been completed. In accordance with the principles of "no changes if it can be used, no construction if it can be modified" and "the whole province unifies the arrangement with key points guaranteed," we transformed and utilized existing venues and facilities as much as possible. Despite the impact of the epidemic, we completed construction of the venues with the fastest speed while guaranteeing both quality and quantity. All the venues distributed across 13 cities and districts in the province have passed the acceptance checks, and the National Games Village, event command center and radio and television center will be put into operation one after another.

Second, the organization is "good," and the competition preparations are advancing in an orderly manner. We have coordinated resources, refined the schedule, and optimized the process to achieve the goals of "testing the venue equipment, training the operation teams, running in the working mechanism, and ensuring support from the locality." The competition committee for 53 projects in the province has been set up and put into operation, and 53 test competitions are smoothly progressing.

Third, the theme is "clear," and the style of performance has been carefully crafted. The performance styles for the opening and closing ceremonies have been created in accordance with the concepts of highlighting the theme, focusing on key content, integrating history and the present, incorporating scientific and technological elements, displaying the characteristics of Shaanxi, and reflecting an air of simplicity. The theme of working harder in the new era and forging ahead on a new journey has been highlighted, and we strive to present excellent works for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. At the same time, we are focused on highlighting the historical heritage, colorful culture and Shaanxi style, and strive to create a classic and wonderful event.

Fourth, the atmosphere is "vibrant," and the news publicity continues to heat up. We have worked closely with central, provincial and other media to form a strong concerted force, and set up an all-media publicity platform. The emblem, mascots, torch, medals, trophies, promotional songs and sports icons of the Games have been officially released, making the atmosphere of the Games increasingly vibrant.

Fifth, the service is "excellent," and logistics support is in place. Adhering to the principle of "13 competition areas, one standard," we have made every effort to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control as well as emergency drills, and have carefully designed competition events, installed equipment, and established a barrier-free system. We have made meticulous preparations in terms of communication, traffic, catering, accommodation, medical security and volunteer service. We strive to provide guests from all regions with considerate, meticulous and warm service.

There are four "main highlights" for this National Games.

First, we will highlight the simplicity of the Games. We have always followed General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions of "simple, safe and wonderful" as a fundamental requirement running through the whole process of the National Games. We will precisely control the scale and duration of key activities such as the opening and closing ceremonies and the torch relay. Under the premise of ensuring safety, we will strive for simplicity, a solemn atmosphere and splendid success.

Second, the role of the public. Sticking to the people-centered development philosophy, with the theme of "everyone participates with concerted efforts," we have established 40 demonstration projects and 46 major projects around the National Games to benefit the people across the province.  Over 1,000 events around the theme "I want to join in the National Games" were held to mobilize people's participation, integration, and enjoyment of the National Games.

Third, the philosophy of green development. We have implemented the strategic requirements to reach carbon peak and neutrality, established a specialized group to ensure environmental quality standards are upheld, and made an action plan and arranged supporting measures. Our ability to supervise environmental quality has been improved, and the philosophy of green development has been followed in every aspect of the National Games. We will work hard to promote society's low-carbon transformation and develop a green lifestyle through the preparation for the National Games.

Fourth, the use of intelligent technologies. Following the trend of digitalization and intelligence, we have emphasized the application of 5G to cultivate an intelligent and safe National Games with wide public participation as well as Shaanxi's characteristics as a culturally rich province and as an old revolutionary base, thus adding a technological and modern flair to the games.On this occasion, I would like to invite all of you to participate in and witness the grand meeting. Thank you.

Southern Metropolis Daily:

The ecological environment of Shaanxi province concerns that of China. What progress has been made in following the principle of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" to enhance environmental protection? What measures will be taken in the future? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you. I will answer this question.

We have learned a big lesson in terms of ecological conservation. Since the incident of illegal building of villas in the Qinling Mountains, the whole province has made deep reflections, and bearing in mind what is of vital importance to the country, has prioritized ecological conservation in development. We have mainly made efforts in the following five aspects.

First, protecting the ecological environment in the Qinling Mountains. This includes curbing the five phenomena of illegal building, illegal felling, illegal mining, illegal emissions, and illegal hunting. All the 169 mining rights in the core and major protection areas of the Qinling Mountains have been withdrawn and 63 small hydroelectric stations have been removed. Meanwhile, we have intensified efforts to protect and restore the ecology, determine borders and erect signs, and designate various kinds of conservation areas. The forest rate in the Shaanxi section of the Qinling Mountains has now reached 72.95%, indicating a constantly improving ecological environment. A good news is that Kingdonia uniflora, a national first-level protected plant, dubbed the "natural indicator of excellent ecological environment," has recently been found for the first time below 2,700 meters altitude in the Qinling Mountains. Next, we will continue to consolidate our achievements. We will improve the institutional system for protection which includes regulations, general plans and specialized planning. We will make good use of the information- and grid-based supervision platform. Through consistent efforts, we hope to effectively protect the ecological environment in the Qinling Mountains and bring more tranquility, harmony, and beauty to the area.

Second, strengthening ecological protection in the Yellow River basin. Mr. Zhao has just introduced this point in detail and so I will not repeat it.

Third, intensifying supervision over water sources for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, of which approximately 70% of the water comes from the Han River and the Dan River. We have launched specialized campaigns in the two rivers and improved comprehensive management of the basin. A ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River has been enforced, which effectively ensured the water quality of the Han River and the Dan River. We will further step up efforts to ensure clear water for the North.

Fourth, fighting pollution. In keeping our air clean, we have strengthened joint control and prevention of air pollution in the Fenwei Plain. Within five years, 19,000 coal-fired boilers have been renovated or removed, and 270,000 small, poorly-managed, and heavily-polluting enterprises have been rectified their malpractices. The average density of PM2.5 among the 10 cities of Shaanxi province which have administrative districts has decreased by 15% compared with that of 2015. In keeping our water clear, we have implemented the river chief and lake chief system, focusing on major basin areas and black, malodorous water bodies in cities. All the surface water sections subject to national assessment in Shaanxi province have eliminated V-level polluted water. In keeping our soil clean, we have enhanced our efforts to contain agricultural non-point pollution. The use of fertilizer and pesticides has declined by nearly 10% compared with that of 2015. We have outperformed the task of lowering heavy metal emissions in the 13th Five-Year Plan and took the lead in registering all emission permits of fixed pollution sources. For the next step, we will stick to targeted, scientific, and lawful measures in curbing pollution so that the sky will be clear, water clean, and trees lush in Shaanxi province.

Fifth, attaching great importance to carbon peak and neutrality. Shaanxi has a big energy and chemical industry, and consumes a large amount of fossil energy. Implementing the requirements of the CPC Central Committee, we have reappraised and selected the major projects of the 14th Five-Year Plan, cutting 79 projects with high energy consumption and large emissions which cost more than 700 billion yuan in investment. Next, we will speed up efforts to make and implement an action plan for carbon peak and specify tasks for lowering carbon emissions to make new progress. Thank you.

China Review News Agency:

General Secretary Xi Jinping has expressed his hopes and requirements for innovation-driven development in Shaanxi during two trips to the province. What will Shaanxi do to leverage its advantage of innovation to achieve new breakthroughs in high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period? Thank you.

Liu Guozhong:

Thank you. I will answer this question. I have just briefly introduced to you the strengths and resources Shaanxi has in terms of innovation. Last year, Shaanxi ranked 9th in the country in terms of comprehensive scientific and technological innovation, and inked technology contracts worth 175.8 billion yuan. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, hi-tech industries and strategic emerging industries in the province grew by an average annual rate of 16.4% and 10.2% respectively.

At the same time, we are aware that the overall effectiveness of Shaanxi's innovation system is not yet efficient enough, and performs poorly when transforming scientific and technological achievements into practical applications. This leaves great potential to tap. In March, we launched the Qinchuangyuan platform to help drive innovation, which is a technological innovation system covering R&D, incubation and industrialization. The platform aims to encompass incubators, accelerators and promoters, in order to deliver impressive results as soon as possible.

Let me elaborate a little bit more about the name of the platform: Qinchuangyuan. "Qin" is short for Shaanxi, which symbolizes the Shaanxi people's spirit of never stopping until reaching the goal. Meanwhile, "Qin" also means diligence in Chinese. "Chuang" means innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and aiming for excellence. "Yuan" refers to a highland or plateau, which means the platform is aimed at building a highland for innovation. "Yuan" also means to keep flowing, signifying that the platform will continue producing achievements in scientific innovation. Moreover, "Yuan" implies searches and researches. As the name suggests, Qinchuangyuan is expected to grow into a powerhouse of innovation in Shaanxi.

After the platform was launched, we set up a special leading group and a task force, and drew up a three-year action plan and a series of instructions. We have tried to encourage the government, universities, institutions, businesses and financial institutions to participate in the platform. During the previous stage, we sorted out all the policies and measures available for technological innovation, and came up with a policy package of 70 items in five categories: scientific professionals, the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, business innovation, research platforms and services. They are all included on the platform for unified application, unified handling and one-stop services. At present, three main aspects of work have been done in the construction of the platform. First, we have channeled innovation factors into enterprises. Efforts include setting up the Modern Industry College as well as the Future Technology College at Xi'an Jiaotong University, establishing eight R&D platforms as well as business-institution innovation consortiums, and combing through more than 1,000 scientific achievements. Thirty-two projects have kickstarted, with a total investment of 45 billion yuan. Second, we have connected innovators and startups with funding. We have attracted more than 10 billion yuan of angel capital and venture capital, and more than 10 incubators and venture investors. Third, we are turning researchers into entrepreneurs. We set up a fund dedicated to professionals every year, fostered teams consisting of scientists and engineers, fostered professional brokers in the field of science as well as project-based high-level talents.

Next, we will endeavor to build Qinchuangyuan into a high-level competitive platform with unique characteristics. First, it will be an open platform committed to pooling wisdom and strength, and will fully mobilize the participation of all parties in the province including the government, industry, universities, research institutions, users and financial institutions. We will strengthen cooperation with other provinces, and countries and regions along the Belt and Road. We will also promote achievements, hold roadshows, and mobilize as much as we can to assemble innovation factors. Second, the platform gives priority to innovation and projects. While promoting R&D to reduce reliance on others for key technologies and making achievements, we will strive to incubate and launch projects, businesses, and industries in scientific innovation, promote the dynamic link between the innovation chain and the industrial chain, and provide solid support for high-quality development. Third, we will make bold moves. We will optimize systems and policies, enhance services for professionals and the assessment of scientific achievements, innovate market-oriented financial products, continuously unleash the vitality of talents, and thus create a good ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you, Mr. Liu, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Wang and friends from the media. That's all for today's press conference. See you next time.

Translated and edited by Zhu Bochen, Wang Qian, Zhang Liying, Li Huiru, Xu Xiaoxuan, Chen Xia, Gong Yingchun, Zhang Rui, Wang Mengru, Huang Shan, Yan Xiaoqing, Wang Wei, FanJunmei, Xiang Bin, Liu Jianing, Yuan Fang, He Shan, Zhang Junmian, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.