Deepening Theoretical and Practical Exploration of New Quality Productive Forces

【Authors】

GUO Kesha, CAI Yu

【WorkUnit】

Huaqiao University, 362021.

【Abstract】

Since July 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping has introduced the concept and theory of new quality productive forces on several inspection tours across the country, sparking widespread societal interest and a surge of academic research. Overall, the theory of new quality productive forces proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping holds significant contemporary relevance, and scholarly engagement with this topic reflects the need to combine theory with practice. As initial research on this topic nears completion, a critical question arises: How can the study of new quality productive forces be advanced to more effectively guide practical implementation? This paper addresses this question from two aspects.
First, based on a focused review of existing literature, this study identifies key issues requiring deeper investigation in the next stage and explains their underlying rationale and logic. For example, it proposes enhancing the scientific understanding of the patterns and characteristics underlying the formation of new quality productive forces, noting that many current conclusions still require empirical validation. This paper also emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Marxist theory of productive forces adapted to China’s realities, criticizing prior studies that adopted Western economic theoretical frameworks and deviated from China’s realities. Additionally, it highlights the overlooked dynamic relationship between new quality productive forces, scientific and technological innovation, and industrial transformation. Finally, it argues that developing new quality productive forces requires deliberate reform of production relations, as production relations do not automatically evolve alongside technological advancement.
Second, in response to some issues faced in the development of new quality productive forces, this paper proposes the main paths for deepening practical exploration in the next phase. For example, countering the misconception that the development of new quality productive forces is opposed to that of traditional industries, it suggests exploring effective paths for traditional industries to cultivate new quality productive forces. Considering the rush to develop new quality productive forces and a lack of diversity in development models in practice, it recommends guiding local governments and departments to tailor development strategies to local conditions. To ensure technological progress and industrial upgrading in the real economy, it advocates for deeper integration between the real and digital economies to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. In response to external suppression and pressures from the United States and other Western countries, it calls for fostering new quality productive forces and strengthening China’s independent innovation capabilities. Recognizing that scientific and technological innovation requires a long-term capital-empowered mechanism, it emphasizes the role of venture capital and patient capital in cultivating new quality productive forces. Lastly, it underscores the need for continuously advancing reforms to create a new type of production relationship that supports the development of new quality productive forces.

JEL: E11, L88

【KeyWords】

New Quality Productive Forces, Theoretical Logic, Practical Logic