Summary of Key Points
At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) clarified the key directions for promoting new industrialization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period:
- A specialized development plan for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be released soon.
- Regulations and digital identification systems will be established to standardize the recycling and utilization of power batteries.
- 6G technology will be prioritized for research and development, with preparations for commercial deployment.
- Emerging industries such as aerospace and intelligent robots will be fostered.
- The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in specific industry scenarios will be promoted.
- Pilots for intelligent connected vehicles will be conducted on roads.
- Security measures in areas such as AI and industrial internet will be strengthened.
These initiatives are aimed at achieving stable employment, fostering innovation, strengthening industries, and ensuring security, focusing on the core needs for high-quality economic development over the next five years.
Detailed Interpretation
1. SMEs to Have a “Specialized Development Guide” – The “Capillaries” of the Economy Receive Priority Attention
SMEs are the “capillaries” of the economy: they account for tens of millions of businesses nationwide, providing employment for over 80% of the urban population and serving as a testing ground for technological innovation. They also help maintain the resilience of the industrial chain. The 14th Five-Year Plan will provide a tailored development roadmap for SMEs, addressing new challenges such as rising raw material costs, fluctuating orders, and difficulties in financing, while also presenting opportunities for digital transformation and green development. With the introduction of this plan, more targeted policy support (such as tax reductions and technical services) will help SMEs survive and thrive.
2. Power Battery Recycling to Become More Efficient – Digital Identities and Regulations to Standardize the Process
With the increasing number of new energy vehicles, the issue of battery disposal has become prominent. The MIIT plans to address this through two measures:
- Digital Identities: Each power battery will be assigned an electronic identifier, allowing for full tracking of its lifecycle from production, sale, to disposal. This will prevent batteries from disappearing or being illegally disposed of.
- Regulations and Enforcement: Specific administrative regulations will be enacted to regulate the recycling process, with multiple departments working together to ensure compliance. By 2030, millions of tons of used batteries are to be recycled, which will not only reduce pollution but also enable the reuse of valuable metals like lithium and cobalt, reducing reliance on imported resources.
3. 6G as a Priority for the 14th Five-Year Plan – Preparing for the Future of Communication
6G is not just a simple upgrade from 5G; it offers speeds over ten times faster and supports more complex applications, such as remote surgeries, the metaverse, and smart cities. The MIIT will focus on three main areas:
- Core Technology Development: Researching new communication frequencies and network architectures.
- Technical Testing: Verifying the feasibility of 6G applications.
- Industry Standard Setting: Establishing common standards for 6G use. Early preparation is crucial to maintain China’s global leadership in this field, just as we do with 5G today.
4. Emerging Industries to Become Economic Pillars
The MIIT aims to transform several emerging industries from potential players into key drivers of growth:
- Current Emerging Industries: Integrated circuits, aerospace (e.g., large aircraft, satellites), biomedicine (innovative drugs), low-altitude economy (drone delivery, air taxis), and new energy storage (e.g., lithium batteries, pumped storage).
- Future Industries: Quantum technology, hydrogen energy, brain-computer interfaces (e.g., enabling people with disabilities to control devices with their thoughts), and embodied intelligence (robots that can perceive and act like humans). Although these industries are still in the research phase, early investment will position China for future growth.
5. AI to Be More Accessible and Practical
AI is widely discussed, but many companies, especially SMEs, find it expensive and difficult to implement. The MIIT plans to:
- Identify High-Value Applications: Forging use cases in manufacturing (quality inspection), agriculture (pest and disease detection), and logistics (smart scheduling) that can save costs and improve efficiency.
- Supporting Service Providers: Encouraging companies to develop affordable AI solutions (e.g., renting AI services rather than purchasing expensive hardware).
China already has strong AI capabilities, with intelligent computing power reaching 2185 EFLOPS by the end of June, and domestically developed open-source models offer good value for money. These factors create a favorable foundation for the widespread adoption of AI.
These measures are all part of the effort to achieve “new industrialization,” addressing current issues (such as battery recycling and SME challenges) while laying the groundwork for future growth (6G, emerging industries). The ultimate goal is to build a more resilient and competitive economy. For ordinary people, this may mean greater confidence when buying electric vehicles due to improved battery recycling, faster 6G networks, more robots in daily life, and more affordable products resulting from increased corporate efficiency.