Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Consultant, Advisor, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

China used to be number one country in respect of highest population estimated around 1.4 billion. But recently, India has surpassed China in population. However, the population was one of the important factor in the development of China throughout the history. Traditionally, China was an agrarian society and was dependent of physical hard work of work force. But, since 1978, the reforms were introduced, the Agriculture was first sector of economy reformed. Agriculture was mechanized, R&D based new varieties, and techniques were introduced and saved the physical hard work of the peasants. 

Industrialization reforms also opted for automation and skills to save physical hard work of work force, during the last four decades. China has been transformed world factory for manufacturing, and no other country on the earth can compete Chinese price and cost of production, The basic reason may be the cheaper labour cost and volume of production in addition to low cost of indigenous raw material.

But, China has already entered into high tech and advanced technology Industries. Chinese Universities are producing quality research work and introducing high quality products, technologies, and manufacturing techniques. Accordingly, it requires high quality new efficient productive work force in the Industry. 

Chinese leadership is wise, smart and visionary. It is well aware of future challenges, including the nature of productive work force. During the Two Sessions, held recently, the issue was deliberated thoroughly.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has shone more light on the country's source of confidence for high-quality development by expounding on a wide range of topics at this year's "two sessions," a key political event slated to close on Monday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joined national legislators in deliberations and participated in discussions with national political advisors at the event, making a raft of remarks on issues including new quality productive forces, environmental protection, overall reform and coordinated regional development.

In this crucial year for fulfilling the objectives and tasks set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Xi stressed that efforts must be made to sustain and reinforce the positive momentum of economic recovery, and boost confidence in development across society. Key messages from Xi at the sessions provided insight into the trajectory of the world's second-largest economy.

Xi has stressed developing new quality productive forces amid the country's accelerated efforts to foster new growth drivers and promote high-quality development. First put forward by Xi in 2023, the concept was highlighted at a key meeting on economic work last December, and became the subject of a group study session of the CPC leadership this year.

With innovation playing the leading role, new quality productive forces mean advanced productivity that is freed from the traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths, features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, and comes in line with the new development philosophy.

Joining his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu in a deliberation on March 5, Xi underscored the importance of developing new quality productive forces based on local conditions.

Developing new quality productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries, Xi said, noting that it is necessary to prevent a headlong rush into projects and the formation of industry bubbles, and avoid adopting just a single model of development.

Xi stressed the need to strengthen basic research and basic research in applied sciences, achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and foster new drivers for developing new quality productive forces when participating in a joint group meeting attended by national political advisors on March 6.

Citing achievements in transportation as an example, he said that China is a global leader in automobile production and sales, excels in new energy vehicles, boasts the longest expressway network, and has successfully introduced high-speed railways and urban rail transit systems internationally, alongside the development of large aircraft.

Craftsmen are important for these accomplishments, he stressed, calling for enhancing vocational education, fostering a culture of meticulous craftsmanship, and nurturing generations of master craftsmen at the forefront of production. "The master craftsmen are the backbone. Without a diamond, you can't handle porcelain," Xi said.

Attending a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force on March 7, he said the drive to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces has provided rare opportunities for the development of strategic capabilities in emerging areas. He called for enabling new quality productive forces and new quality combat capabilities to effectively integrate with and boost each other.

High quality Productive New work Force will be able to face challenges of future and contribute in developing China in the days to come. This work force will sustain Chinese development pace as witnessed in the last four decades. At the same time, China is a popular destiny for many developing and underdeveloped nations for producing young work force. China graduate foreign students are contributing the development of their home countries very well and up to satisfaction.

Pakistan being the closet ally of China and Iron Brother, is the largest beneficiary of Chinese rise. Currently there are around 32,000 Pakistani youths studying various levels of programs, including, undergraduate, Master, PhD, and Post Doc programs in various leading Universities in China, in almost all specialization required for Pakistan to face the challenges of 21 Century. There have bees almost an equal number of Pakistani youth graduated from China and deployed in various sector of economy in almost all parts of Pakistan. Especially, China graduates are contributing in the smooth implementation and execution of projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. 

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)