NPC deputy: China's laser industry advances, joining global front-runners

China has made significant progress in laser technology development, breaking decades of foreign dominance in key areas and joining the ranks of global front-runners, said Ma Xinqiang, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and chairman of Huagong Technology, on Saturday.

Laser technology is integral to the manufacturing of 70 percent of components in industries such as smartphones and automotive production. Historically constrained by foreign technology controls, China has prioritized domestic innovation to overcome these dependencies, Ma said during a group interview ahead of the second plenary meeting of the third session of the 14th NPC.

Through sustained research and development efforts, Huagong Technology has managed to produce laser welding equipment for car bodies, resolving a 40-year reliance on imported solutions, Ma noted. This breakthrough has reduced equipment costs by over 40 percent while setting an industry efficiency record- completing laser welding for a new energy vehicle body in just 43 seconds. Such advancements have supported the domestic production of 45 million vehicles and facilitated the development of over 100 specialized laser solutions for industrial applications.

Ma noted that China's laser industry has accelerated its development cycle, achieving in a decade what traditionally took 30 years internationally. The country has spearheaded the development of its first international laser industry standard, contributing to global benchmarks. These efforts have supported a 35 percent annual growth rate in overseas markets for Chinese-developed equipment, demonstrating a shift in the global laser industry landscape. Furthermore, these advancements have made advanced laser technologies more accessible to domestic manufacturers, Ma added.