Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the International Research Centre of Sustainable
Development for Big Data, which launched a forum on big data and sustainable development goals
in Beijing on September 6. He said establishment of the international research centre underpinned
his promise to support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the letter
Xi Jinping said “At present, the world is suffering from the huge impact of the new crown
pneumonia epidemic. Technological innovation and the application of big data will help the
international community overcome difficulties and implement the 2030 Agenda.” Separately,
Xinhua (September 6) reported that Vice Premier Liu He delivered the opening remarks at the
2021 China International Digital Economy Expo via video link on September 6. In his remarks he
said the digital economy is key to innovation (Xinhua) and “[We] need to develop the digital
economy with a strong sense of innovation and urgency.” He also emphasised the importance of
cultivating tech talent to provide the imagination and ingenuity necessary to build an innovative
economy adding that the government will look to support the development of the tech industry by
improving the legal environment, including by protecting fair competition and opposing
monopolies. Liu, He assured the gathering that “[Our] policy of supporting the development of the
private economy has not changed…and will not change in the future!” The South China Morning
Post (September 6) quoted Jia Kang, a former Director of the Ministry of Finance’s Research
Institute for Fiscal Science, as having said in a speech last month at a Chengdu forum that “Under
the current complex and changing situation, we need to give the public, especially those leading
private companies a sense of direction, safety and hope.” A People's Daily (September 8) editorial
reinforced their message and explained that “The regulations and policies introduced treat
[everyone] equally” and that “[They’re] aimed at violations of laws and regulations, and by no
means single out specific industries or companies.” The Editorial said in conclusion that “The
commitment to create a good environment and provide more opportunities for the development of
the non-public sector of the economy have not changed.”
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