From the perspective of international economic theory and the historical experience of economic development in various countries around the world, the development of each country can be summarized into four main development models, namely factor driven development, investment driven development, innovation driven development, and wealth driven development. These development models generally manifest as several stages of a country's successful economic development, which is the process of a country's economic development gradually advancing from a low-level development model to a high-level development model. These development models are generally intertwined and play a role, but in a certain period, one or several development models will play a dominant role. The economic development model adopted by a country mainly depends on its level of productivity development, which is determined by the laws of economic development and not subject to human will.

Since the reform and opening up, China's economic development has basically adopted an extensive development model that combines factor driven development with investment driven development. This development model is now facing great challenges. The Chinese economy is facing an important task of shifting from factor driven and investment driven development to innovation driven development.

The most important thing to promote the development of technological innovation is to enhance the ability of independent innovation

The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed the implementation of the innovation driven development strategy, emphasizing that technological innovation is the strategic support for improving social productivity and comprehensive national strength, and must be placed at the core of the overall national development. This is a major strategic choice of the Party Central Committee. Innovative development can be carried out from many aspects such as technological innovation, management innovation, and institutional innovation, but at present, special emphasis should be placed on the driving role of technological innovation. The most important thing to promote the development of technological innovation is to enhance the ability of independent innovation. We must adhere to taking independent innovation as the strategic foundation. Practice has proven that in critical areas related to the lifeline of the national economy and national security, the true core and key technologies will not be given by others and cannot be bought with money. We can only rely on our own innovation and development.  

Enhancing independent innovation capability requires adhering to the combination of independent innovation and economic and social practice

To enhance the ability of independent innovation, the first step is to strengthen the awareness of independent innovation. Technology is the foundation of national strength, and innovation is the soul of national progress. The technological strength determines the changes in the balance of political and economic power in the world, as well as the future and destiny of various countries and ethnic groups. Therefore, we should strengthen the understanding of the importance of independent innovation in science and technology, actively forge ahead, dare to take risks, blaze new trails, overcome the widespread mentality of the Chinese people to get rich at ease, establish a sustainable concept of innovation, and provide ideological guarantee for enhancing the ability of independent innovation.

Enhancing independent innovation capability requires adhering to the combination of independent innovation and economic and social practice. We should focus on the central tasks of the Party and the state for innovative development, such as tackling and breaking through cutting-edge technological issues related to enhancing national defense capabilities, transforming development models, adjusting economic structures, and improving people's livelihoods. In 2010, the State Council issued the Decision on Accelerating the Cultivation and Development of Strategic Emerging Industries, which selected seven strategic emerging industries including energy conservation and environmental protection, new generation information technology, biology, high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, new materials, and new energy vehicles as key development areas, reflecting the strategic intention of focusing independent innovation on breakthroughs in cutting-edge technology fields required for domestic and international economic and social development. If we can make breakthroughs in these cutting-edge technological fields first, China will have a very proactive position in the world economic competition and lead the development of the world economy to a certain extent.

Enhancing independent innovation capability requires strengthening open innovation and collaborative innovation. By strengthening international joint research and development, jointly promoting technological innovation, and seeking rapid breakthroughs in key technologies. Whoever can optimize the utilization of international technology and talent resources will have greater innovation capabilities, and is likely to achieve scientific and technological breakthroughs and industrial success faster. We should actively carry out international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, make good use of both international and domestic scientific and technological resources, strengthen joint innovation, pay attention to drawing on the advanced experience of various countries in developing science and technology, promote China's independent innovation at a higher starting point, and thereby enhance its independent innovation capabilities.

Enhancing independent innovation capability requires strengthening the construction of laws, regulations, and systems for independent innovation, formulating and implementing incentive measures for independent innovation, and creating an environment and atmosphere for independent innovation.

Guangdong should concentrate more resources to promote the improvement of independent innovation capability

Since the reform and opening up, Guangdong Province has maintained its position as a major economic province in mainland China. In terms of independent innovation, the R&D awareness, R&D capability, and basic R&D configuration are relatively strong. Independent innovation has a total advantage, especially in recent years, with the promotion of transformation and upgrading strategies, the ability of independent innovation has been significantly improved. However, the path dependence of Guangdong's economic development has resulted in relatively weak independent innovation capabilities, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises in Guangdong. Guangdong's position as a manufacturing center mainly focused on processing and trade has placed most small and medium-sized enterprises downstream of the international industrial chain. Machinery, equipment, and advanced technology are mainly purchased from abroad, producing homogeneous and low-priced products. This has led to slow R&D growth, relatively low average levels, and dispersed independent innovation resources, weakening independent innovation capabilities and restricting the sustainable development of Guangdong's economy. Guangdong is currently undergoing a historical transition from factor driven and investment driven development to innovation driven development, and should concentrate more resources to promote the enhancement of independent innovation capabilities. Corresponding laws and regulations can be introduced to protect the patent rights of technological innovation; Increase research funding and strengthen incentive mechanisms to enhance independent innovation capabilities; Give full play to Guangdong's outward oriented advantages, strengthen domestic and international joint research and development and collaborative innovation, establish a government enterprise academic research cooperation innovation center, target cutting-edge technologies needed for economic and social development, strive to be the first to break through key technologies, drive the improvement of Guangdong's independent innovation capabilities, and achieve innovation driven development of Guangdong's economy.