Visitors interact with a Hexagon robot dog at the intelligent industry and information technology exhibition zone of the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 7, 2023. The artificial intelligence technology on display at the 6th CIIE attracted a lot of visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)
BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) --The application of new technologies, the ascending of new industies and the expansion of new consumption mode have propelled an accelerating rise of "new forces" for China's economy in 2023, providing stronger momentum for high-quality development in China.
The artificial intelligence (AI) large models sparks an innovation boom. At the same time, new technologies swiftly benefit various industries. The demand for digital, green, and health-related consumption is on the rise, and the new consumption areas such as domestic trendy products, entertainment, and tourism also see robust growth.
--New Technology: AI large models lead innovation trend
In 2023, led by universal artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT, a new wave of development swept through the global AI industry, and the Chinese market for AI large models demonstrated a rapidly evolving growth trend.
Ranging from accelerating new drug development and precise weather forecasting to shortening the product delivery cycle in factories and improving office efficiency, an increasing number of domestic AI large models are benefiting various industries.
The deep empowerment of large models in vertical industries and cutting-edge fields is becoming more prominent, saidbHan Jian, Director of the Future Industries Research Center of the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID).The artificial intelligence in China has been widely applied in 19 areas, including smart finance, smart healthcare, smart manufacturing, and smart energy. Large models are emerging as crucial tools in cutting-edge research, he added.
According to the "CCID Outlook 2024" recently released by the China Center for Information Industry Development, as of November 2023, there were 188 domestic large models, including 27 general-purpose large models. Currently, more than 20 large models have been officially registered, with the majority already providing services to the broader society.
Han Jian believes that in the next step, large models are expected to gradually expand their scope and empower fields such as autonomous driving and embodied intelligent robots. AI for Science will also continue to empower scientific research, promote innovation in the scientific field, improve research efficiency, and help scientists achieve breakthroughs in exploring the "unmanned territory" and solving major problems.
--New Industry: Overseas popularity of the "new three" demonstrates competitive advantages
Since 2023, China's "new three", represented by new energy vehicles, solarcells,and lithium-ion batteries, have gained popularity overseas. Customs data reveals that in the first three quarters of 2023, the total exports of the "new three" products increased by 41.7 percent year-on-year, maintaining double-digit growth for 14 consecutive quarters.
From the "old three" including clothing, furniture, and household appliances to the current "new three", the evolution of the commodity trade structure reflects the remarkable achievements in China's foreign trade transformation and upgrading, which further underscores China's manufacturing advantages and serves as a true portrayal of the new momentum driving high-quality economic development.
Taking photovoltaics (PV) as an example, this green industry has ushered in a "highlight moment" in the context of the global energy transition. In recent years, from upstream silicon material technology research and development, midstream component production and manufacturing, to downstream power station development and construction, China has formed the most complete supporting environment and supply chain system for the PV industry in the world. The country also boasts leading technological capabilities globally, with production capacities in major manufacturing sectors exceeding 80 percent of the global market share.
According to data from the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, from January to October 2023, the production output of the PV manufacturing end in China increased by over 70 percent year-on-year, reaching a historical high, and the output value of the manufacturing end exceeded 1.3 trillion yuan. The export volume of silicon wafers, cells, and components increased by 90 percent, 72 percent, and 34 percent year-on-year, respectively, which indicates the continued stable position of the photovoltaic industry as part of the "new three" in export trade.
--New Consumption: opening up incremental space for domestic trendy products
The horse-face skirt, which became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties, has undergone improvements and once again taken the lead in fashion after several hundred years. According to data from e-commerce platforms, during the 2023 "Double 11" shopping festival, Taobao sold more than 730,000 horse-faced skirts, which can cover 105 football fields.
With the influence of online communication, many businesses are rediscovering the essence of traditional culture. Numerous time-honored brands are actively involved in both heritage and innovation. Collaborative ventures such as "sauce-flavored latte" with a jolt of liquor and liquor-filled chocolates have transformed domestic traditional products into trendy items, creating consumer hotspots.
With the help of these new driving forces, the consumer market is showing an accelerating recovery trend. From January to November, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 42.7945 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.2 percent. The national online retail sales amounted to14 trillion yuan, marking an 11 percent year-on-year growth and accounting for 27.5 percent of the total retail sales, reaching a historical high, and the service retail sales witnessed a year-on-year growth of 19.5 percent, with a continuously increasing proportion in consumption.
The emergence of these new trends and forces is bringing new vitality and sustainable momentum to the development of China's economy, said Zhu Keli, Executive Director of the China Information Industry Association and Founding Director of the China Institute of New Economy. He added that China's economy is accelerating its transition towards innovation-driven, green and low-carbon, and coordinated development,all of which are important characteristics of high-quality development.
2024 is a crucial year for achieving the goals of the "14th Five-Year Plan". China will vigorously promote new industrialization, foster the development of the digital economy, and accelerate the advancement of artificial intelligence. More new forms of consumptionwill be cultivated and strengthened, and digital, green, and health-oriented consumptionwill be actively promoted...
In addition, China will actively and steadily work towards carbon peaking and neutrality, and accelerate the development of a green and low-carbon supply chain.
Zhu Keli believes that by continuously enhancing the impetus of reforms, strengthening the support of openness, intensifyingthe driving force of innovation, and effectively leveraging the synergies between market dynamics and coordinated policy efforts, the potential and vitality for high-quality development of China's economy will be further unleashed.
(Edited by Gao Jingyan with Xinhua Silk Road, gaojingyan@xinhua.org)
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