On the afternoon of July 14, 2026, Beijing played host to the press conference for the 2026 New Domain and New Quality Innovation Competition. Jointly organized by the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID) and the Qingdao Municipal People's Government, the competition, under the theme of "Pioneering New Domains, Quality Shaping the Future," seeks to tackle issues such as the disconnect between supply and demand across industry-academia-research-application sectors and the challenges in the smooth commercialization of research findings. It establishes a six-pronged collaborative mechanism involving "Education-Technology-Talent-Industry-Finance-Government" to expedite the cultivation of new quality productive forces.

As the inaugural national-level competition focusing on new domains and new quality, this edition has undergone comprehensive enhancements based on the successful experience of its predecessor. Liu Wenqiang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of CCID, stated during the preparations briefing that the competition has established a '922' framework: focusing on nine emerging and cutting-edge fields, setting up two types of tracks, and establishing two competition categories. The nine major fields encompass high-end instruments and manufacturing equipment, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and informatization, unmanned and counter-unmanned systems, aerospace technology, marine science and technology, new materials, quantum technology, and biology. These fields not only align with national strategic directions but also cater to industrial trends in technological convergence and upgrading.

In terms of track setup, the competition maintains a parallel model of 'demand-driven challenges + open exploration.' The 'demand-driven challenges' track adheres to the principle of "industry posing problems, technology providing solutions," focusing on concentrated breakthroughs in core technological bottlenecks. The 'open exploration' innovation track capitalizes on the strengths of universities and specialized and innovative enterprises to generate new demand through new technologies and products. Regarding categories, 'University Faculty and Student Group' and 'Innovative Enterprise Group' are established, targeting over 80 key universities nationwide and specialized and innovative enterprises, respectively. Each group will pre-select and recommend 500 outstanding achievements, with a total of 300 projects advancing to the national finals.

Balancing Innovation in Competition Framework with Enhanced Benefits

Regarding the continuity and innovation in the overall approach of this year's competition, Li Hongwei, Chief Engineer and Party Committee Member of CCID, responded to journalists' questions by stating: "This year, in planning the 2026 competition, we have maintained continuity while introducing innovations. We have continued the construction of the six-pronged integrated platform of 'Education-Technology-Talent-Industry-Finance-Government' and adhered to the basic principles of 'industry-oriented, empowerment-driven upgrading, demand-led, and supply-driven.' Simultaneously, based on expert feedback and demand research, we have introduced innovations in three areas: field setup, project quantity, and participant categories."

In terms of competition benefits, the event has undergone systematic enhancements focusing on publicity and exhibition, resource connection, recommendation channels, platform services, and implementation guarantees. Li Hongwei stated: "We have made upgrades and innovations in five areas—publicity and exposure, resource connection, recommendation channels, platform services, and implementation guarantees—to address the challenges and pain points in the commercialization of innovative achievements in new domains and new quality." Specific measures include establishing a 'Featured Achievements Showcase' column, compiling and targeting excellent achievements to demand-side entities, supporting winning enterprises in applying for national-level qualifications, guiding enterprises to access the national 'one-network' service platform for small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting the validation and demonstration application of award-winning projects in industrial carriers in co-hosting cities like Qingdao.

Qingdao: From 'Competition Traffic' to 'Industrial Growth'

Chen Wansheng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Qingdao Municipal People's Government, stated at the press conference that Qingdao, with its robust industrial foundation and dense innovation platforms, will seize this competition as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and connections with national science and technology innovation teams and investment institutions, fully promoting the implementation of high-quality innovation projects in Qingdao.

As the host of two consecutive editions of the competition, the Qingdao West Coast New Area has already achieved substantial gains in leveraging the event for industrial empowerment. Liu Luying, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Working Committee and Organizational Department Head of the Qingdao West Coast New Area, recalled in response to journalists' questions: "Last year, with strong support from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and CCID, and under the firm leadership of the Qingdao Municipal Party Committee and Government, the New Area hosted the inaugural national New Domain and New Quality Innovation Competition to high standards, attracting experts, scholars, and innovation teams from 31 provinces and 43 key universities to gather in the West Coast New Area... Accelerating the transition of a batch of science and technology innovation achievements from the 'laboratory' to the 'market,' and facilitating the establishment of high-quality projects such as Jingxinda Zhi and Zhiguang Technology in the New Area."

He stated that with the competition returning this year, the New Area will leap from 'basic support' to 'ecological empowerment,' establishing specialized zones for technology validation and pilot-scale incubation, and introducing exclusive talent policies for the competition—directly recognizing project leaders who win second prize or above and establish operations within two years as municipal-level 'Future Stars' pioneering talents and providing corresponding support.

It is reported that preparations for the 2026 New Domain and New Quality Innovation Competition are progressing smoothly. Participants can register through the official competition website, with pre-selection recommendations and initial round advancements to be completed by August 25.