China advances advanced manufacturing and AI sectors

China is accelerating the development of its advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence sectors as it enters the ‘Fifteenth Five-Year Plan’ period. Recent developments highlight significant breakthroughs in core technologies, including domestically developed high-performance expandable tubulars for shale gas wells and advancements in large-scale nuclear power lifting equipment.

Key emerging industries such as integrated circuits, aerospace, biopharmaceuticals, and intelligent robotics are seeing rapid growth. For instance, China currently produces eight out of every ten humanoid and quadruped intelligent robots sold globally. The aerospace sector has also seen progress with the C919 large passenger aircraft and breakthroughs in reusable rocket technology.

In the realm of digital intelligence, the ‘2026 Artificial Intelligence Innovation Application TOP 50’ list was recently released to recognize excellence in AI core technology and its integration into various industries. This initiative aligns with national strategies to use AI as a driver for digital China and the transformation of the real economy through high-quality industrial applications.