The leading role enterprises play in driving innovation must be emphasized in order to achieve technological breakthroughs and break free from the West's "tech stranglehold", Liu Zhongfan, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in an interview with China Daily.

He said only in a fair competitive market environment can enterprises grow and help transform scientific research achievements into market products. Respecting and valuing entrepreneurs and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit are the fundamental way to drive market growth and achieve innovative breakthroughs, he said.