China is set to push forward with research and development of next-generation technologies, including 6G, humanoid robots, the metaverse, and quantum technology, according to the country’s top industry regulator. The move is aimed at supporting the construction of a modern industrial system, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong said at a news conference in Beijing. China has already established a flagship platform called the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group, which is promoting 6G and international cooperation, Jin said. The country will also continue to focus on promoting high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting the number of SMEs that specialize in niche sectors and have strong innovative capacity to reach 80,000 by the end of this year.
Jin also urged more efforts to strengthen weak links during the development of core technologies, which would enable the construction of independent and manageable industrial chains. China will also strive to ensure that the number of special clusters for SMEs reaches 100 by the end of the year. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will provide greater support to promote the high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises, as these firms still face tough development challenges.
China has already established a strong position in some key industries, such as new energy vehicles (NEVs), with 6.89 million NEVs sold in 2021, up more than 93% year-on-year, and NEV production soaring nearly 97% to about 7.06 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The ministry is confident that “the NEV momentum will continue” this year, based on an array of surveys and symposiums, said Xin Guobin, vice-minister of industry and information technology.
Wei Qijia, head of industry economy research at the State Information Center, expects that the industrial economy in 2023 will remain stable, with overall growth seeing a steady recovery. However, Wei also pointed out that more efforts should be made to boost domestic and overseas demand, especially for major manufacturing and foreign trade-dependent provinces. “Big projects in early-stage planning are expected to be implemented as soon as possible to stabilize bulk consumption such as NEVs and smart home appliances. Some new industrial consumption should also be encouraged to boost market confidence,” Wei added.