In the winter chill of Hefei, the relentless rhythm of hard work continues day and night. The glow from late-night research labs and the first light at dawn on construction sites reflect each other, as countless dedicated individuals converge into a powerful force driving the city to new heights. Hefei's journey through the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" period has already begun, where "silent scientific research" resonates in harmony with the "pulsating city," collectively sketching a new blueprint to "push the economic aggregate above the two-trillion-yuan threshold."
The spark of innovation is igniting a "fusion" of new quality productive forces. During the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" period, Hefei will prioritize science and technology, using the substantive reform of the Hefei Binhu Science City as a driving force. Leveraging resources like national laboratories and the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, the city will propel original innovation and facilitate the local commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. As the new year starts, a wave of construction is surging at the Future Grand Science City. At the BEST park for the Compact Fusion Energy Experimental Facility, machinery roars as the project enters its final assembly stage. According to the plan, this facility is expected to be largely completed by the end of 2027, paving the way for subsequent burning plasma physics experiments that will lay the crucial technical foundation for commercial fusion power generation. Nearby, foundational work is underway for the first phase of the Deep Space Science City, which will see the rise of the province's first large-scale assembly, integration, and testing center for deep space aircraft, establishing it as a key base for tackling deep space exploration technologies and their conversion.
During the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" period, Hefei will accelerate efforts to build new advantages as a source of scientific and technological innovation. It will drive major breakthroughs in the substantive reform of Hefei Binhu Science City, largely complete the construction of the Future Grand Science City, and fully develop the framework of the Chaohu Peninsula. The city will fully support the development of national strategic scientific and technological strength, leading with the co-construction of the Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta) International Science and Technology Innovation Center to significantly enhance the capabilities of national laboratories and the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center. The goal is to create a world-leading cluster of major scientific and technological infrastructure and achieve substantial progress in building the "3+N" science and innovation leadership highlands.
The steps of tangible action are specific. On one hand, Hefei is accelerating the construction of a full-chain system for transforming scientific and technological achievements, strengthening the role of enterprises as the main actors in technological innovation. On the other hand, Hefei is integrally advancing the development of education, science and technology, and talent, reinforcing the positive interaction between independent scientific innovation and independent talent cultivation. In the recently concluded year, Hefei aimed for a new high in the total value of technology contract transactions, with the contribution rate from strategic sci-tech platforms continuing to climb. "By leveraging the synchrotron radiation laboratory of a major science facility, we precisely analyzed the atomic structure of a catalyst, reduced the usage of precious metals by 50%, and cut costs by 30% compared to imported products, without any compromise in performance," said a representative from Zhongke Haneng (Anhui) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. at the 3rd China (Anhui) Scientific and Technological Achievements Transformation Fair. The hydrogen energy catalyst developed by the company is now applied in various fields including hydrogen production, transportation, energy storage, and health.
A solid industrial foundation forges the "hard support" for economic development. Reaching the "two-trillion" target requires a robust industrial base. Hefei's industrial logic is evolving from mere agglomeration towards deep integration, with the specific approach being a steadfast commitment to intelligent, green, and integrated development. The city is vigorously promoting new industrialization, focusing on building a strong manufacturing city, a strong quality city, and a strong brand city, while accelerating the creation of industrial clusters with international competitiveness. On January 6th, the 1,000,000th mass-produced vehicle from NIO Inc. rolled off the production line at its new Hefei Xinqiao Second Advanced Manufacturing Plant. "One million units is a new starting point," stated NIO Chairman Li Bin, emphasizing the company's continued focus on refining twelve core technology systems for smart electric vehicles, increasing investment in infrastructure, deepening multi-brand synergy, and maintaining a steady growth trajectory. This milestone is not just for the company but also an epitome of the accumulated strength and burgeoning success of Hefei's new energy vehicle industry.
During the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" period, Hefei will concentrate on its "654X" industrial system, deeply implement major project攻坚 actions, and promote the integrated development of key industrial clusters and producer services. It aims to consolidate the leading advantages of dominant industries like new energy vehicles and integrated circuits, accelerate the quality improvement and volume expansion of emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and the low-altitude economy, and actively seize the high ground in future industries like quantum technology and nuclear fusion energy, thereby taking greater strides in establishing the city through industry and strengthening it through manufacturing.
The blueprint for action has been translated into construction plans. In the new energy vehicle sector, Hefei is not only consolidating its leading advantage in vehicle manufacturing but also significantly increasing the local配套 rate through the synergistic linkage of "vehicles, chips, displays, and AI." This "cross-industrial chain collaboration" enables industrial clusters to self-adapt and form strong couplings, much like a living organism.
Enhancing a city's energy level requires expanding its strategic depth. "Building a modern Hefei metropolitan area with high quality" is a crucial pivot point in Hefei's "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan." Its essence is rapidly shifting from the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure towards the "soft integration" of factors and daily life. Numerous projects are accelerating to贯通 the "bloodlines." Guided by the goal of establishing Hefei as an international comprehensive transportation hub, the city is implementing its "11655" transportation construction plan to comprehensively enhance interconnectivity and service capacity. Currently, key projects like the Hefei Xinqiao Airport S1 Line connecting Hefei and Shou County have made breakthrough progress. The vision of a "metropolitan area on rails" is accelerating towards reality, the expressway network continues to densify, the second phase of Xinqiao Airport construction is proceeding at full speed, and the navigation efficiency of the Jianghuai Canal keeps improving.
Beyond transportation, the integration runs deeper. The Hefei Metropolitan Area Development Plan has been approved, steering towards the goal of building a convenient "commuting circle," a tiered and complementary "industrial circle," and a便利共享 "living circle." Observations reveal that along industrial corridors like Hefei-Lu'an and Hefei-Huainan, cooperative parks are承接 industrial spillover and technological辐射 from Hefei. In areas like healthcare and social security, cross-regional integrated service mechanisms are continuously深化, allowing residents within the metropolitan area to enjoy the conveniences of同城化. "Our goal is to make people within the metropolitan area feel as if they are living, working, and innovating in a single city," stated a relevant official from the Hefei municipal government. Strengthening active辐射 and driving force is Hefei's responsibility as the provincial capital to "shoulder heavy responsibilities and act as the main force," while also opening up dual physical and economic space for its own development.
The fundamental purpose of development is to enhance people's wellbeing. The "modern people's city" outlined in Hefei's "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" focuses on promoting connotative urban development. Its practical implementation lies in a series of livelihood projects and governance actions. The battle for ecological治理 continues. Shortly after New Year's Day, a new campaign for the comprehensive treatment of Lake Chaohu was launched. With the core goal of "stabilizing the entire lake's water quality at Class III," Hefei adheres to the "four-source co-governance" approach, promoting urban rain-sewage分流, agricultural non-point source pollution control, and implementing ten major wetland function enhancement projects. Smart management is achieved through the "Digital Chaohu" platform. Nowadays, around several wetlands by Lake Chaohu, observers frequently spot bird species not seen for many years, indicating continuously improving water quality.
From the grand project of protecting a lake's clear water to民生 improvements concerning daily necessities, Hefei balances both. Urban renewal actions are deeply推进, with the redevelopment of urban villages and old, dangerous housing revitalizing old city areas. The construction of complete communities is accelerating, embedded service facilities are becoming increasingly comprehensive, and the "15-minute便民生活圈" makes happiness触手可及.
"How many times in life can one truly strive?" From institutional innovation at the Binhu Science City to strengthening and supplementing industrial chains in strategic emerging industries, from the transportation arteries of the metropolitan area to the治理 details of Lake Chaohu, blueprints for action are being transformed into vivid scenes of reality, propelling Hefei on its new journey towards the "two-trillion" goal.
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