Wan Gang, President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST),

He Junke, Executive President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)

On the occasion of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, we, representing the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), extend heartfelt New Year wishes to the vast community of scientific and technological professionals across the country.

In 2023, a multitude of scientific and technological professionals dedicated themselves to revitalizing the country through science and education, building a robust talent pool, and promoting innovation-driven development with immense enthusiasm. Commencing with the comprehensive implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have made significant achievements. Against the backdrop of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, we advance towards the forefront of global science and technology, economic battlefields, significant national needs, and the health of the people. We continuously expand the breadth and depth of science and technology and explore new frontiers of scientific innovation and new tracks for industrial development. Achievements in aerospace dreams, deep-sea exploration, and significant technological and engineering projects have emerged. Simultaneously, new growth points like artificial intelligence, life and health sciences, clean energy, and advanced materials have seen constant development. With outstanding wisdom and hard work, scientific and technological professionals jointly script a magnificent chapter in building China into a world leader in science and technology.

Over the past year, scientific and technological professionals have unwaveringly held onto their shared commitment with the Communist Party of China (CPC), and aligned efforts to meet people's expectations for a better life through continuous scientific and technological innovation. They fully demonstrate the spirit of scientists in the new era through hard work and dedication. While serving the country with the breakthroughs of new productive forces, scientific and technological professionals continue to cultivate fine academic conduct, inherit the scientific spirit, practice the core values of socialism through impressive innovative achievements, and lead the social trend.

The unprecedented changes of the past century have triggered profound shifts in the international economic landscape and a restructuring of the global innovation map. Scientific and technological professionals follow President Xi Jinping's important instructions on maintaining an outward and future-oriented perspective, spearhead scientific and technological innovation, participate in sci-tech and cultural exchanges, and embrace the new wave of global development with a more open attitude. They continuously enhance openness, trust, and cooperation with international counterparts on the world scientific and technological stage, engraving an immortal mark of Chinese engineers in the blueprint of innovation and development of the Belt and Road Initiative. This facilitates the establishment of multiple international sci-tech organizations, continuously weaving a dense network of nodes and connections between China and the global innovation community. Addressing the uncertainties with the certainty of open innovation, Chinese scientific and technological professionals have made new contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The most gratifying achievement in 2023 is the emergence of a large number of young talents at the forefront of sci-tech progress. It results from integrated development of education, science and technology, talent cultivation, and collective support from the whole society. The young talents shoulder heavy tasks and responsibilities in the frontline of innovation and development, providing an inexhaustible source of vitality for building China's strength in science and technology. The science and technology associations at all levels have paved the way for young scientists to display their talents by building higher-level academic exchange platforms and providing further support, such as strengthening the open, hub-like service platform Home of Sci Workers, with increased warmth and intimacy.

The first glimmer of dawn in the New Year is about to arrive, and we will embrace 2024, teeming with more innovation and creativity. It is expected that the vast number of scientific and technological professionals will pool their strength to build China into a world leader in science and technology with firmer confidence, more enthusiasm and a more pragmatic approach. They will aim to explore and pioneer global scientific and technological frontiers with more breakthroughs, leading the establishment of new productive forces. Additionally, they will contribute to the further development and prosperity of scientific culture, enhance the scientific literacy of the entire population, and collaboratively craft a new chapter in Chinese modernization characterized by high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength. These efforts are dedicated to realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Source: Official website of the CAST