Editor's note: Qiu Haiping is a professor at the School of Economics, Renmin University of China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In September 2023, China put forward the original concept of "new quality productive forces," offering a systematic explanation of its scientific connotations, core markers, defining features, key elements, essential attributes, and other related issues. The concept has highlighted the decisive role of developing new quality productive forces in advancing China's high-quality development and Chinese modernization, while outlining the fundamental path, strategic priorities, and methodology for cultivating these forces. This has given rise to a comprehensive theory of new quality productive forces. This theory not only offers scientific guidance and a fundamental basis for China's high-quality development but also carries global significance.

The theory of new quality productive forces provides valuable insights for the development of emerging markets such as those in Africa and Southeast Asia. These countries are at a critical juncture of industrialization and digital transformation, but traditional development models are constrained by challenges such as resource limitations and technological gaps. By emphasizing leapfrog development, new quality productive forces present a new approach for these countries –– rather than repeating the path of advanced economies, which is characterized by "pollution first, treatment later" approaches, these countries can directly harness digital technologies to empower traditional industries and develop emerging sectors such as green energy and digital agriculture, thereby achieving a balance between economic growth and sustainable development.

The theory of new quality productive forces also serves as an important reference for developed countries. Today, some developed countries are grappling with industrial hollowing-out, intensifying technological monopolies, and widening social polarization, leaving their economies mired in stagnation. The theory of new quality productive forces underscores a focus on innovation and inclusive development. This tells developed countries that they must dismantle technological barriers, ensure that innovation outcomes are widely shared, and restore fairness in global industrial and supply chains. At the same time, fostering new growth drivers by making strides in fields such as green technologies and digital public services can help ease social tensions and inject fresh momentum into the recovery of the global economy.

At present, trade protectionism is on the rise worldwide, and technological competition has increasingly become a tool of geopolitical rivalry, impeding the global flow of productive forces. In response, the theory of new quality productive forces advocates the principle of openness and cooperation, urging countries to abandon zero-sum thinking and work together to build a global innovation network. In particular, when tackling global challenges such as climate change and public health crises, new quality productive forces will advance joint R&D and application of new energy and medical technologies through technology sharing and standards coordination. Thus, they will become a vital link in building a human community with a shared future.

The theory of new quality productive forces is not only the "golden key" to China's high-quality development but also a theoretical innovation that aligns with the laws governing the evolution of productive forces worldwide. In practice, China will present its development experience to the global community as a model, fostering the cultivation and growth of new quality productive forces around the world through technology exchange, industrial cooperation, and experience sharing, thereby contributing to global economic prosperity and the common progress of humanity.

As this theory continues to evolve and be put into practice, it is bound to profoundly reshape the global economic landscape and open a new chapter in developing a new model for human and economic advancement.