High technology and low incomes were in sharp focus in China late last week as two of its senior officials visited opposite ends of the country.

On a trip to the eastern province of Zhejiang from Thursday to Saturday, Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing urged manufacturers to apply new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to research and development, design, product manufacturing and process optimisation.

“Enterprises that use specialised and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products constitute a vital force in building manufacturing power and developing ‘new quality productive forces’,” state news agency Xinhua quoted Zhang as saying on Saturday.

These technologies include all-solid-state batteries for new energy vehicles, optical instruments and components and large language models (LLMs).

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“[We must] support these specialised firms in pursuing technological innovation, increasing R&D investment, and cultivating expertise in niche areas of their industries,” Zhang said.