Summary of Key Points
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has recently made it clear that it intends to vigorously develop emerging industrial sectors. It will promote their scaled growth through four main measures: technological breakthroughs, infrastructure construction, scenario development, and ecosystem optimization. The goal is to establish 100 demonstration parks and 1,000 leading enterprises by 2035, thereby enhancing China's global competitiveness. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key focus area, and efforts will be made in three key areas: technical foundations, practical application scenarios, and security governance, to turn AI into a “smart driving force” for economic growth.
Detailed Explanation
1. The “Four Pillars” for the Development of Emerging Industries – Giving the Industries an “Accelerator”
The MIIT has identified four core strategies for fostering the growth of emerging industries:
- Technological Breakthroughs: Accelerating innovation in emerging fields to overcome barriers.
- Infrastructure Construction: Supporting key parks and enterprises to grow and form industrial clusters.
- Scenario Development: Promoting the use and widespread adoption of new technologies and products in real-world applications.
- Ecosystem Optimization: Attracting resources such as capital and talent to the emerging industries.
These four aspects work together like the wheels of a vehicle, enabling the rapid development of these industries.
2. Technological Breakthroughs to Overcome Weaknesses
The focus is on addressing areas where China is at a disadvantage or has weaknesses, such as chips (integrated circuits), machinery for manufacturing (industrial equipment), high-end instruments, and foundational software. The MIIT will adopt unconventional methods to drive breakthroughs in these core technologies across the entire value chain. It will also establish more innovation centers and pilot production facilities to quickly transform laboratory technologies into market-ready products.
3. Scenario Development to Bridge the “Last Mile” – Bringing Technology from the Lab to Everyday Life
Scenarios serve as the bridge between technology and the market. Examples include “5G + factories,” “AI + quality inspection,” and “robots + logistics.” The MIIT will select landmark projects and release lists of new technologies to facilitate the connection between suppliers and demanders, allowing innovative solutions to be tested, improved, and then widely adopted. For instance, the use of robots in factories and Beidou navigation in logistics are practical applications of this approach.
4. AI as a “Smart Driving Force” – Three Key Areas of Focus
AI is developing rapidly. China boasts a large scale of computing power, with over 70 high-capacity computing channels, and its domestic open-source AI models are cost-effective and popular worldwide. In terms of applications, AI has already penetrated various sectors such as research and development, production, and quality control. During the next five-year plan period, efforts will focus on:
- Supply Side: Developing advanced chips and multimodal algorithms, as well as humanoid robots and brain-computer interfaces.
- Application Side: Identifying high-value scenarios in various industries and launching cost-effective, easy-to-deploy solutions that businesses can utilize.
- Security Side: Monitoring AI-related risks and establishing vulnerability databases to ensure that AI is used in a controlled and beneficial manner.
5. A Clear Long-Term Goal – Establishing Industry Benchmarks by 2035
By 2035, the goal is to create 100 demonstration parks that can drive the development of surrounding industries and 1,000 leading enterprises with cutting-edge technologies. These benchmarks will serve as role models for the emerging industries, enhancing China’s competitiveness in the global supply chain.
Overall, this policy outlines a clear “growth roadmap” for emerging industries, covering both short- and long-term objectives and specific actions, with the aim of making these industries a new engine for economic growth.