In response to realistic challenges, how can Chinese manufacturing remain competitive? Manufacturing is the cornerstone of China’s economy. Since last year, China’s industrial economy has picked up and improved, but in the face of the extremely complex international situation and the external challenges of “decoupling and chain breaking”, there have been continuous voices about “industrial chain relocation” and “China’s manufacturing advantage is no longer”.

MM3-4FXM2 In the government work report submitted for deliberation on the 5th, “vigorously promoting the construction of a modern industrial system and accelerating the development of new quality productivity” ranked first in the government’s work tasks in 2024, releasing a clear signal of firmly building the foundation of the real economy.

From the new goals and new measures revealed in the report, to the case stories and professional interpretations brought by representatives, experts and scholars, and then to the interview and research of journalists at the front line, we have a clearer understanding of Chinese manufacturing to maintain competitiveness and achieve stable development.

In the face of change, strong resilience

Under the complex and severe external environment, the trend of China’s manufacturing enterprises has attracted much attention.

MM3-4FXM2

“We have realized the localization of industrial robot controllers, servo systems, etc., and are accelerating the delivery speed to the sea and increasing the international market share.” Zhang Jin, president of Shenyang Siasun Robot Automation Co., LTD., used his own case to show that in the field of robots that are competing for layout in developed countries, the core technology is firmly held and the industrial chain is complete, “even if the wind is surging, it can move forward steadily.”

MM3-4FXM2 This is the portrayal of enterprises fighting the market, and it is also the epitome of Chinese manufacturing to meet challenges.

In the past year, the international environment was turbulent. The impact of geopolitics and great power competition is more and more obvious, the manufacturing industry in developed countries has returned, the rapid economic development of Mexico, Southeast Asia and other places, and the competition has been intensified. These are objective realities that should not be avoided. However, the rhetoric of singing down China’s manufacturing and singing down China’s economy is mixed among them, which needs to make a dialectical analysis.

In response to challenges and overcoming difficulties, China has achieved reasonable growth in the scale of its manufacturing industry and trade, and maintained an overall stable market share.

According to the heads of relevant ministries and commissions in the “ministerial channel” introduction, in 2023, China’s total industrial added value is close to 40 trillion yuan, accounting for 31.7% of GDP. The manufacturing industry has ranked first in the world for 14 consecutive years.

“Important progress has been made in the construction of a modern industrial system”, “a number of major industrial innovation achievements have reached the international advanced level”… A series of statements in the government work report highlight the solid pace of manufacturing in large countries.