Innovation will remain a key driver for China's development in 2026 as leaders have emphasized innovation-driven growth at the annual Central Economic Work Conference recently held in Beijing. Among the priorities for China's economic work in 2026, as outlined by the country's top leaders at the meeting, scientific and technological innovation ranks prominently. The conference stressed the need to strengthen innovation-driven development to accelerate the cultivation of new growth drivers, with China set to launch a new round of high-quality development initiatives for key industrial chains. "The development logic of China's industries emphasizes two key principles: building complete systems and prioritizing focal points. To build a high-quality industrial chain system, we must first ensure completeness across the board, while achieving breakthroughs in critical links and core areas to solve 'chokehold' bottlenecks. This new round of high-quality development initiatives for key industrial chains is crucial for building a modern industrial system in the next stage," said Lin Chen, professor of economics, Renmin University of China​. China aims to establish international innovation hubs in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Policies will focus on boosting enterprise-led innovation, strengthening intellectual property protection in emerging industries, expanding service-sector capabilities, and advancing AI development through improved governance and tech-finance integration. "Artificial intelligence is key to fostering new growth drivers. Built on the foundation of AI technology, new products emerge and novel application scenarios are created. The diffusion of AI technology holds great significance for China's industrial development, economic growth, and the establishment of a modern industrial system," Lin said. SHOTLIST: FILE: China - Date Unknown 1. Aerial shot of industrial park; 2. Various of equipment, staff members in factory; Beijing, China - Dec 11, 2025 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lin Chen, professor of economics, Renmin University of China​ (partially overlaid with shots 4-5): "The development logic of China's industries emphasizes two key principles: building complete systems and prioritizing focal points. To build a high-quality industrial chain system, we must first ensure completeness across the board, while achieving breakthroughs in critical links and core areas to solve 'chokehold' bottlenecks. This new round of high-quality development initiatives for key industrial chains is crucial for building a modern industrial system in the next stage."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: China - Date Unknown 4. Factory equipment; 5. Factory equipment; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. Various of equipment, staff members, robots in factory; Beijing, China - Dec 11, 2025 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lin Chen, professor of economics, Renmin University of China​ (starting with shot 6/partially overlaid with shot 8): "Artificial intelligence is key to fostering new growth drivers. Built on the foundation of AI technology, new products emerge and novel application scenarios are created. The diffusion of AI technology holds great significance for China's industrial development, economic growth, and the establishment of a modern industrial system."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: China - Date Unknown 8. Robotic arm operating in factory; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Various of equipment, robotic arms in factory; 10. Aerial shot of city view. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]