A Deep Understanding of Developing New Quality Productive Forces in Light of Local Conditions

Developing new quality productive forces is an inherent requirement and a key focal point for promoting high-quality development, and a major strategic measure for advancing Chinese-path modernization, exerting a profound impact on China’s economic and social development. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that we must firmly grasp high-quality development as the primary task and develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. “In light of local conditions” embodies the logical connection and inherent laws between the development of new quality productive forces and regional territorial space, pointing the direction for all localities to cultivate and develop new quality productive forces. All localities should, based on their own resource endowments, industrial foundations, and scientific research conditions, selectively promote the development of new industries, new models, and new drivers of growth, advancing the development of new quality productive forces from actual conditions.

发展新质生产力是推动高质量发展的内在要求和重要着力点，是推进中国式现代化的重大战略举措，对我国经济社会发展具有深远影响。习近平总书记强调，要牢牢把握高质量发展这个首要任务，因地制宜发展新质生产力。“因地制宜”体现了新质生产力发展和区域国土空间的逻辑联系与内在规律，为各地培育发展新质生产力指明了方向。各地要根据自身资源禀赋、产业基础、科研条件等，有选择地推动新产业、新模式、新动能发展，从实际出发推动新质生产力发展。

Scientifically Understanding the Connotation and Characteristics of New Quality Productive Forces

科学认识新质生产力的内涵特征

Viewing new quality productive forces scientifically with dialectical thinking is the foundation and prerequisite for all localities to cultivate and develop them. General Secretary Xi Jinping creatively put forward the concept of new quality productive forces. New quality productive forces are a qualitative state of advanced productive forces where innovation plays a leading role, breaking away from traditional economic growth models and paths of productive forces development, characterized by high technology, high efficiency, and high quality, and conforming to the new development philosophy. New quality productive forces are engendered by revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, innovative allocation of factors of production, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading. Their basic connotation is the leap in the quality of laborers, means of labor, subjects of labor, and their optimized combination, and their core symbol is a substantial increase in total factor productivity. Their characteristic is innovation, the key lies in superior quality, and their essence is advanced productive forces. We must deeply understand and grasp the connotation and characteristics of new quality productive forces with historical thinking and dialectical thinking.

以辩证思维科学地看待新质生产力，是各地培育发展新质生产力的基础与前提。习近平总书记创造性地提出了新质生产力的概念。新质生产力是创新起主导作用，摆脱传统经济增长方式、生产力发展路径，具有高科技、高效能、高质量特征，符合新发展理念的先进生产力质态。新质生产力由技术革命性突破、生产要素创新性配置、产业深度转型升级而催生，以劳动者、劳动资料、劳动对象及其优化组合的跃升为基本内涵，以全要素生产率大幅提升为核心标志，特点是创新，关键在质优，本质是先进生产力。要以历史思维和辩证思维深刻认识和把握新质生产力的内涵特征。

There are many driving factors for new quality productive forces, but the most important is scientific and technological innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that scientific and technological innovation can give rise to new industries, new models, and new drivers of growth, and is the core element for developing new quality productive forces. Scientific and technological innovation can not only directly empower industries, optimize and upgrade the industrial structure, and promote the advancement of the industrial base and the modernization of the industrial chain, but also bring about a series of innovative changes in institutional mechanisms and management methods. Since the 18th century, several major scientific and technological revolutions have occurred in the world, such as the birth of modern physics, the steam engine and machinery, electricity and transportation, relativity and quantum theory, and the development of electronics and information technology. Driven by these, multiple industrial revolutions have taken place, such as mechanization, electrification, automation, and informatization. The new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation that human society is currently undergoing will bring about another great leap in productive forces.

新质生产力的驱动因素有很多，但最主要的是科技创新。习近平总书记指出，科技创新能够催生新产业、新模式、新动能，是发展新质生产力的核心要素。科技创新不仅能直接赋能产业，优化提升产业结构，促进产业基础高级化和产业链现代化，还能带来体制机制和管理方式等方面的一系列创新转变。18世纪以来，世界发生了几次重大科技革命，如近代物理学诞生、蒸汽机和机械、电力和运输、相对论和量子论、电子和信息技术发展等。在此带动下，发生多次产业革命，如机械化、电气化、自动化、信息化。人类社会目前正在经历的新一轮科技革命和产业变革将带来生产力的又一次巨大飞跃。

New quality productive forces are a qualitative state of productive forces that advances with the times, a qualitative state that has undergone a “qualitative change” relative to traditional productive forces. New quality productive forces take industry as their main carrier and technology as their basic support. With the continuous updating of technology, industries can be continuously expanded and optimized and upgraded. Therefore, there is no once-and-for-all “new”; there is only a “new” that advances with the times and pushes out the old to bring forth the new.

新质生产力是与时俱进的生产力质态，是相对于传统生产力发生了“质变”的生产力质态。新质生产力以产业为主要载体，以技术为基本支撑。随着技术的不断更新，产业得以持续拓展和优化提升。因此，没有一劳永逸的“新”，只有与时偕行、推陈出新的“新”。

New quality productive forces are not a “castle in the air” without foundation; traditional industries are an important carrier for developing new quality productive forces. There is no absolute boundary between new and old industries. Traditional industries, after being empowered by technology, may also transform into modern industries and become carriers of new quality productive forces. Therefore, cultivating and developing new quality productive forces requires doing a good job of the major task of transforming and upgrading traditional industries, relying on technological innovation, factor innovation, etc., to give rise to new quality productive forces.

新质生产力不是没有根基的“空中楼阁”，传统产业是发展新质生产力的重要载体。新旧产业没有绝对的界限，传统产业经过技术赋能，也有可能蜕变为现代产业而成为新质生产力的载体。因此，培育发展新质生产力必须做好改造提升传统产业这篇大文章，依靠技术创新、要素创新等催生出新质生产力。

The forms of new quality productive forces are broad and diverse, and are not exclusive to certain industries. As long as an industry can highlight the characteristics of innovation, have comparative advantages in efficiency and quality, and fully embody the traits of new quality productive forces, it is an important component of advanced productive forces.

新质生产力的业态呈现是广泛多元的，并不为某些产业所专属。只要能够凸显创新特质，在效能和质量上具有比较优势，充分体现出新质生产力特质的产业，就是先进生产力的重要组成部分。

From a regional perspective, the above characteristics of new quality productive forces indicate: First, it is both necessary and has a foundation for all localities to develop new quality productive forces; they should seize opportunities, increase innovation efforts, and vigorously promote the development of new quality productive forces. Second, it is necessary to prevent a rush of activity and bubbles, and not adopt a single model. Different regions have vastly different geographical features, resource endowments, industrial foundations, and practical demands. They should proceed from actual conditions, leverage comparative advantages and internal potential, and explore breakthroughs and focal points for developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions.

从区域视角看，新质生产力的上述特征表明：其一，各地都有必要也有基础发展新质生产力，应当抢抓机遇，加大创新力度，大力推动新质生产力发展。其二，要防止一哄而上、泡沫化，不搞一种模式。不同地区地理特征、资源禀赋、产业基础及现实诉求差异很大，应从实际出发，发挥比较优势和内部潜能，因地制宜探寻发展新质生产力的突破口和着力点。

All Localities Developing New Quality Productive Forces Must Handle Several Important Relationships

各地发展新质生产力要处理好若干重要关系

Developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions requires proceeding from actual conditions, anchoring regional main functions and strategic positioning, and handling the following important relationships.

因地制宜发展新质生产力，要从实际出发，锚定区域主体功能和战略定位，处理好如下重要关系。

The relationship between the new and the old. Developing new quality productive forces requires striving to develop strategic emerging industries and promptly planning and deploying future industries, but it must not simply regard traditional industries as low-end or backward industries to be discarded. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that “developing new quality productive forces does not mean ignoring or abandoning traditional industries.” Some traditional industries are still needed by the market. Developing new quality productive forces requires making full use of this foundation, empowering them through technology to transform towards high-end, intelligent, and green development, and reshaping the new competitive advantages of traditional industries. Transforming and upgrading traditional industries should be taken as an important starting point and effective pathway for developing new quality productive forces.

新与旧的关系。发展新质生产力要努力发展战略性新兴产业，抓紧谋划部署未来产业，但切不能简单地把传统产业视作低端产业或落后产业加以摒弃。习近平总书记强调，“发展新质生产力不是要忽视、放弃传统产业”。一些传统产业仍为市场所需，发展新质生产力要充分利用好这个基础，通过技术赋能，使其向高端化、智能化和绿色化转型，重塑传统产业竞争新优势。要把改造提升传统产业作为发展新质生产力的重要抓手和有效途径。

The relationship between taking and leaving. Developing new quality productive forces requires both doing one’s utmost and knowing what to do and what not to do. In a specific period of development, a region has both development advantages and constraining factors. If one blindly pursues novelty and high standards without considering one’s own reality, it will lead to counterproductive results and waste of resources and labor. One should base oneself on resource endowments and industrial foundations, foster strengths and avoid weaknesses, highlight characteristics, maximize the use of one’s own potential and advantages, carefully select development tracks, and achieve differentiated development. At the same time, it is necessary to coordinate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries with the cultivation and strengthening of emerging industries, use regional comparative advantages to open up new fields and tracks for development, continuously enhance development momentum, and form new development advantages.

取与舍的关系。发展新质生产力，既要尽力而为，又要有所为有所不为。一个地区在其特定发展时期既有发展优势，也存在制约因素。若不考虑自身实际，一味追新求高，就会事与愿违、劳民伤财。要立足资源禀赋和产业基础，扬长避短，突出特色，最大限度地利用自身潜能和优势，精心选择发展赛道，实现错位发展。同时要统筹好传统产业转型升级和新兴产业培育壮大，利用区域比较优势开辟发展新领域新赛道，不断增强发展后劲，形成新的发展优势。

The relationship between inheriting and borrowing. In developing new quality productive forces, all localities must not only do a good job of “inheriting,” making good use of existing foundations, including industrial foundations, successful experiences, and mature models, but also be inclusive, strengthen regional cooperation and coordination, actively leverage external forces, deepen open cooperation, and accelerate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces through effective means such as jointly building industrial parks, developing “enclave economies,” [1]1 “Enclave economies” (飞地经济) refers to a cross-regional economic cooperation model where one region (the “enclave”) establishes industrial parks or development zones on land within another region, sharing tax revenue, output, and other benefits according to an agreed-upon formula. constructing strategic functional platforms, and promoting paired-up cooperation.

承与借的关系。各地发展新质生产力既要做好“承”的文章，利用好现有基础，包括产业基础、成功经验、成熟模式等，也要兼收并蓄，加强区域合作与协调，积极借助外力，深化开放合作，通过共建产业园区、发展“飞地经济”、构筑战略功能平台、推进对口合作等有效方式，加快培育发展新质生产力。

The relationship between points and the whole. In developing new quality productive forces, all localities must not exert equal effort or try to grasp everything at once; they should focus on systematic integration and the combination of points and the whole. On the one hand, follow the objective laws of productive forces development, do a good job of relevant foundational work, put more effort into making up for shortcomings, and create conditions for breakthroughs in key areas through overall advancement. On the other hand, highlight key points, clarify the main direction of attack, and use breakthroughs in key areas to drive an overall leap in the level of regional economic and social development, thereby achieving the effect of using points to drive the whole, with blossoms at points and results across the whole.

点与面的关系。各地发展新质生产力，不能平均用力、眉毛胡子一把抓，要注重系统集成、点面结合。一方面遵循生产力发展客观规律，做好相关的基础性工作，在补齐短板上多用力，通过整体推进为重点突破创造条件。另一方面突出重点，明确主攻方向，以重点突破带动地区经济社会发展水平整体跃升，从而实现以点带面，点上开花、面上结果。

The relationship between speed and stability. All localities should seize the opportunity of the deepening new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation to promote the optimization of industrial structure, the transformation of development models, and the conversion of growth drivers. They should adhere to the principle of steady progress and gradual advancement, improve the institutional mechanisms for developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, and effectively use existing conditions to solidify various foundational tasks. The development of new quality productive forces must not be built on sand, nor must it be allowed to become bubbly.

快与稳的关系。各地应抓住新一轮科技革命和产业变革深入推进的机遇，推动产业结构优化、发展方式转变、增长动力转换。要坚持稳扎稳打、循序渐进的原则，健全因地制宜发展新质生产力体制机制，有效利用现有条件做实各项基础工作。不能把新质生产力的发展建在沙滩上，也不能让新质生产力发展泡沫化。

The relationship between hardware and software. Developing new quality productive forces requires not only actively expanding industries, strengthening the construction of new-type infrastructure, and consolidating various “hard foundations” such as talent and technology, but also improving various “soft conditions.” Focus on optimizing the business environment with basic market economy systems such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit as the key points, promote the concentration of all types of advanced production factors towards the development of new quality productive forces, continuously enhance the initiative and creativity of business entities, improve the system for promoting the deep integration of the real economy and the digital economy, promote the high-end, intelligent, and green development of the manufacturing industry, and enhance the leading position of advantageous industries.

硬与软的关系。发展新质生产力既要积极拓展产业，加强新型基础设施建设，夯实人才、技术等各项“硬基础”，也要完善各项“软条件”。以产权保护、市场准入、公平竞争、社会信用等市场经济基础制度为重点优化营商环境，促进各类先进生产要素向发展新质生产力集聚，持续提升经营主体的积极性、创造性，健全促进实体经济和数字经济深度融合的制度，推动制造业高端化智能化绿色化发展，提升优势产业的领先地位。

Grasping the Practical Path for Developing New Quality Productive Forces in Light of Local Conditions

把握因地制宜发展新质生产力的实践路径

On the new journey of the New Era, all localities should seize the opportunities of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, persist in being persistent and unyielding, establishing the new before abolishing the old, [2]2 “Establishing the new before abolishing the old” (先立后破) is a policy principle emphasizing that new systems, industries, or mechanisms should be set up and functioning before old ones are dismantled, to avoid disruption and instability. competing with unique characteristics, committing to innovation, and integrating as one, steadily and orderly accelerating the development of new quality productive forces.

新时代新征程，各地要抢抓新一轮科技革命和产业变革机遇，坚持锲而不舍、先立后破、以特争先、矢志创新、一体联动，稳步有序地加快发展新质生产力。

First, persevere unremittingly. New quality productive forces rise through inheritance and break through through accumulation; they are not achieved in a single day and cannot be accomplished overnight. One must always maintain ideological acuity, strategic initiative, and conscious action, seize opportunities, constantly track cutting-edge scientific and technological developments, constantly open up new fields and new tracks for industrial development, constantly lay out and build future industries ahead of schedule, and constantly consolidate the foundation of “stability” while accumulating the momentum for “progress.”

一是锲而不舍。新质生产力在继承中跃升、在积累中突破，并非一日之功，不可一蹴而就。要始终保持思想上的敏锐、战略上的主动和行动上的自觉，抢抓机遇，时刻注重跟踪前沿性科技发展动态，时刻注重开辟产业发展新领域新赛道，时刻注重超前布局和建设未来产业，时刻注重夯实“稳”的基础、积蓄“进”的动能。

Second, establish before abolishing. A region’s existing industries are the foundation of economic development and the basic condition for meeting the people’s needs in production and life. To cultivate and develop new quality productive forces, one must, on the basis of balancing the present and the long term, grasp the logical sequence and dialectical relationship between “establishing” and “abolishing,” and adhere to establishing before abolishing. While promoting the vigorous development of emerging industries, one must focus on transforming and upgrading traditional industries, fostering positive interaction between emerging and traditional industries.

二是先立后破。一个地区的现有产业是经济发展的基础，也是满足人民群众生产生活需要的基本条件。培育和发展新质生产力要在兼顾当前与长远的基础上，把握好“立”和“破”的逻辑顺序与辩证关系，坚持先立后破。在推动新兴产业蓬勃发展的同时，着力改造提升传统产业，促进新兴产业与传统产业的良性互动。

Third, compete through distinctiveness. Characteristic positioning and differentiated development are effective paths for a region to achieve high-quality development. When developing new quality productive forces, all localities must never blindly follow trends or copy and imitate others. They should grasp their own favorable conditions and unique advantages, concentrate efforts in key areas and critical links, make a distinctive mark and achieve a high position at one stroke, realize economically leading development through distinctive industrial development, and unleash the “leading goose” effect. [3]3 “Leading goose effect” (头雁效应): A Chinese idiom referring to the leading role of a frontrunner, analogous to the “bellwether” or “first mover” effect, where a pioneering entity sets the direction and pace for others to follow.

三是以特争先。特色化定位、差异化发展，是一个地区实现高质量发展的有效路径。各地发展新质生产力，决不能跟风效颦、照搬照套，应把握自己的有利条件和独特优势，在重点领域和关键环节集中发力，一举做出特色、形成高位，通过产业特色发展实现经济领先发展，释放“头雁”效应。

Fourth, commit to innovation. Scientific and technological innovation is the core element for developing new quality productive forces; it can promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and continuously spawn new industries, new models, and new drivers. With self-reliance and self-strengthening as the basic direction, we must continuously strengthen technological supply and achieve close linkage and deep integration of the innovation chain and industrial chain. On the one hand, concentrate limited scientific and technological resources, focus on the key links of key industrial development, and build regional scientific and technological innovation centers; on the other hand, accelerate the construction of systems and mechanisms supporting scientific and technological innovation, actively integrate internal and external resources, and rely on scientific and technological progress to promote the comprehensive optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure.

四是矢志创新。科技创新是发展新质生产力的核心要素，能够推动传统产业转型升级，不断催生新产业、新模式、新动能。要以自立自强为基本方向，持续强化技术供给，实现创新链产业链的紧密衔接和深度融合。一方面，集中有限科技资源，紧扣重点产业发展的关键环节，构建区域性科技创新中心；另一方面，加快构建支持科技创新体制机制，积极整合内外资源，依靠科技进步推动产业结构全面优化升级。

Fifth, integrate as one. To develop new quality productive forces, we must both fully leverage the initiative of all localities, exploring development paths suitable for themselves based on local realities, and strengthen interregional cooperation and linkage, achieving organic division of labor, mutual support, and coordinated development. We must promote the rational flow and efficient concentration of resource factors nationwide, further strengthen the comparative advantages of each locality, enhance mutual resource assistance and complementary advantages, advance industrial transfer and reception, jointly build modern industrial parks, achieve industrial resonance and synchronization, jointly create highlands for the development of new quality productive forces, strive to optimize the business environment, align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and provide solid momentum and strong guarantees for cultivating and developing new quality productive forces.

五是一体联动。发展新质生产力，既要充分发挥各地能动性，从地区实际出发，探索适合自身的发展路径，又要加强区域间的合作联动，实现有机分工、相互支撑、协同发展。要促进资源要素在全国范围内合理流动、高效集聚，进一步做强各地比较优势，强化资源互济、优势互补，推进产业转移与承接，携手共建现代化产业园区，实现产业同频共振，共同打造新质生产力发展高地，着力优化营商环境，对接国际高标准经贸规则，为培育发展新质生产力提供坚实动力和有力保障。

(The author is a specially appointed researcher at the Beijing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center)

（作者系北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧