In the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), innovation in theory and practice was deployed to promote. Xi said, “We should emancipate the mind, …  boldly promote innovation both in theory and practice,… give full rein to their creativity, promote reform with the close support of the people, and promote well-rounded development of the person.” (Xi emphasized that) it is necessary to encourage innovation in the cultural sector[1].

Li Keqiang, the Chinese Premier, said in World Economic Forum at Davos in 2014, “Readjusting the structure must be driven, more than ever, by science and technology progress, and that requires strategic, structural, and innovative readjustment. … When the talent of all, or at least most of the nearly 200 million professionals and skilled workers is brought to the full, a new pattern of innovation by the people and innovation by all, supported by the massive physical and mental power of the people and the strength of China's manufacturing and creative capability, will be fostered[2].” 

In 2015, Li emphasized innovation and massive entrepreneurship again at Davos. “To foster a new engine of growth (in economy), we will encourage mass entrepreneurship and innovation. … Mass entrepreneurship and innovation, in our eyes, is a “gold mine” that provides constant source of creativity and wealth. … Mass entrepreneurship and innovation serves to unleash people’s ingenuity and power[3].” 

Innovation-driven development has been advocated and applied to implement the “Made in China 2025” strategy. “As the force that has traditionally driven economic growth is weakening,” Li said in 2015 at his government work report, “it is imperative that we intensify structural reform, boost efforts to implement the strategy of pursuing innovation-driven development, and upgrade traditional engines while creating new ones for driving development. … and our society needs to nurture a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. …Manufacturing is traditionally a strong industry for China. We will implement the “Made in China 2025” strategy” [4].

Further progress was made in implementing the strategy of innovation-driven development. To strengthen the new growth engines (industrial innovation and updating), … measures were introduced to encourage public participation in starting businesses and making innovations, and the Internet Plus action plan was implemented. A great number of makers started businesses and made innovations. … Innovation is the primary driving force for development and must occupy a central place in China's development strategy, which is why we must implement a strategy of innovation-driven development[4] .