The State Council held a press conference on April 18 to introduce the development of industry and information technology in the first quarter of 2024. Shan Zhongde, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, revealed at the meeting that the scale of China’s intelligent manufacturing equipment industry has reached more than 3.2 trillion.

On April 18, China’s State Council Information Office held a press conference in Beijing. Shan Zhongde, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Zhao Zhiguo, spokesman and chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Tao Qing, spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Director of the Operation Monitoring and Coordination Bureau introduced the development of industry and information technology in the first quarter of 2024 and answered questions from journalists. Photo by Yang Kejia/China News Service

PFXA401F Shan Zhongde introduced that around promoting the development of intelligent manufacturing, four aspects of work have been mainly carried out in recent years.

First, we will intensify technological research. We will develop intelligent manufacturing processes, intelligent manufacturing equipment, intelligent products, and software systems, and advance technological breakthroughs in industrial robots, intelligent testing equipment, and additive manufacturing equipment. At the same time, strengthen the innovation breakthrough of process digitization, equipment intelligence, quality testing, supply chain coordination and other aspects of process, equipment, software group connection. The scale of China’s intelligent manufacturing equipment industry has reached more than 3.2 trillion.

Second, we will increase the supply of solutions. In order to develop intelligent manufacturing, especially to promote the digital and intelligent transformation and development of enterprises, there must be a number of service providers. We focus on cultivating more than 150 system solution suppliers with main business income of more than 1 billion yuan, such as steel, petrochemical, lithium battery system integration capabilities to reach the international advanced level, mixed-line flexible production, processing and testing integration, high-precision and high-reliability assembly solutions have also made major breakthroughs, enabling more than 3,400 enterprises.

Third, we will strengthen guidance and demonstration. The National Development and Reform Commission and other four departments have carried out smart manufacturing pilot demonstration actions for three consecutive years. As I mentioned just now, 421 state-level demonstration factories and more than 10,000 provincial-level digital workshops and smart factories have been cultivated, and artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies have been applied in more than 90 percent of demonstration factories.

Fourth, we will strengthen standard-setting. The United Nations Standards Committee issued guidelines for the construction of national intelligent manufacturing standards system, issued a total of 408 national standards, led the development of 48 international standards, and promoted the standardization, standardization, and systematic development of intelligent manufacturing.

PFXA401F On April 18, China’s State Council Information Office held a press conference in Beijing. Shan Zhongde, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Zhao Zhiguo, spokesman and chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Tao Qing, spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Director of the Operation Monitoring and Coordination Bureau introduced the development of industry and information technology in the first quarter of 2024 and answered questions from journalists. Photo by Yang Kejia/China News Service

In the next step, on the basis of the current work, we will do a good job in several aspects.

One is to strengthen the application of traction. We will deepen the development of smart factories and smart supply chains. We will carry out the “artificial intelligence +” action, build smart parks, cultivate a number of typical benchmarks for digital transformation and intelligent development, and support traditional industries and small and medium-sized enterprises to carry out technological transformation based on mature and advanced applicable technologies. The goal is that by 2025, more than 70% of the manufacturing enterprises above designated size will basically realize digitalization and networking, and a number of intelligent manufacturing demonstration factories will be built to lead the development of the industry.

Second, we will improve supply support. We should plan and layout the relevant major scientific and technological innovation projects in the field of intelligent manufacturing, strengthen the research of key core technologies such as intelligent manufacturing processes, intelligent manufacturing equipment, intelligent products, and software systems, and carry out the cultivation of intelligent manufacturing system solution suppliers, and cultivate a group of intelligent manufacturing system solution suppliers with high professional level and strong service ability by 2025. To better promote more enterprises to carry out digital transformation and intelligent upgrading.

Third, improve infrastructure. Appropriately advance the layout of information infrastructure such as 5G, computing power, and the mobile Internet of Things, increase the construction of industrial Internet platforms, accelerate the innovation and development of industrial Internet, and improve the intelligent manufacturing standard system. In particular, it is necessary to strengthen the evaluation work, and the goal is to build a number of industrial Internet platforms with industry and regional influence by 2025.

Shan Zhongde said that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology this year just to promote the large-scale industrial equipment update, but also seize this opportunity to systematically promote the application of intelligent manufacturing exploration, scientific and technological research, infrastructure construction and other work, vigorously promote the digital, networking, intelligent development of the manufacturing industry, to provide strong support for the construction of manufacturing power.