Representatives of well-known private Chinese enterprises are invited to participate in a meeting on April 2. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

A work symposium on the cultivation of leading technology enterprises was convened by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce on April 2, at which senior officials listened to proposals and suggestions on how to support private companies on their ways of becoming world-class technology giants.

At the meeting, it was stated that private companies in China are critical to national innovation, and nurturing them into a strategic technological force will help achieve self-reliance in the global arena.

More efforts will be made to help private firms build innovation bases, form talent teams, and increase R&D investment. More guidance and services will be offered to create a stable, transparent and predictable development environment, and increase confidence.

Huang Li, chairman of Wuhan Guide Infrared Co – a listed company focusing on infrared thermal imaging technology and based in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) – proposed that the government engage more private enterprises in major State-level scientific and technological projects and give more weight to contributions made by these firms in technological personnel and technological award assessment.

Wuhan Guide Infrared Co has reportedly jointly founded a laboratory devoted to research on advanced infrared detecting technology with Huazhong University of Science and Technology, launched a research institute committed to micro electromechanical systems and sensing technologies, and created a provincial innovative alliance in the high-end equipment manufacturing sector. It also encourages innovation within the company and has formed many talented teams. 

Other companies invited to participate in the meeting included Yili, Xiaomi, Huawei, Baidu, JD, and SANY.