Sci-tech empowerment: Forging a stronger China through manufacturing upgrade

Editor's note: Xu Ying, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. 

The conclusion of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China marks a pivotal moment with the adoption of the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. The communique of the session articulates a clear mandate: to "achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and steer the development of new quality productive forces." This directive is far more than a domestic policy agenda; it is a strategic blueprint for how science and technology will fundamentally empower China's manufacturing upgrade, thereby solidifying the foundation for high-quality growth and the steady ascent of China's comprehensive national strength.

For decades, "Made in China" has been synonymous with scale and efficiency. Yet, in an era defined by artificial intelligence, automation, and green transformation, the source of competitiveness is shifting from low-cost expansion to innovation-driven resilience. The recommendations for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) orchestrate this decisive transition from quantity to quality and from industrial dependence to technological sovereignty. It positions the empowerment of manufacturing through advanced technology as the core engine for generating the new quality productive forces that will define the next phase of China's modernization.

From self-reliance to new productivity: A strategic imperative

The plenum's emphasis on high-level sci-tech self-reliance directly addresses the urgent need to secure China's industrial and strategic autonomy. In a global landscape marked by reconfiguring supply chains and technological protectionism, control over core technologies is paramount. The plenum's call to "intensify scientific and technological innovation and achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in critical areas" is a direct investment in the resilience of China's manufacturing backbone. By mastering strategic domains like advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum information, China is not merely catching up but seeking to seize the commanding heights of science and technology development, ensuring its industries are insulated from external shocks and capable of leading the next industrial revolution.

This pursuit of technological leadership is intrinsically linked to the generation of new quality productive forces. These forces are innovation-driven, digitally networked and environmentally sustainable. They are cultivated by "promoting the deep integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation." For manufacturing, this means the pervasive integration of digital intelligence into every facet of production; creating smart factories where data guides processes, machines learn and adapt, and products evolve continuously. This fusion is the primary mechanism through which sci-tech empowerment translates into tangible gains in productivity, quality and global competitiveness.

Building the ecosystem: Integrating education, talent and digital foundations

The plenum wisely recognizes that technological advancement does not occur in a vacuum. The directive to "coordinate the development of education, science and technology, and talent cultivation" is critical. A modern, intelligent manufacturing sector requires a continuous pipeline of skilled engineers, data scientists, and innovative researchers. This integrated approach ensures that the national innovation system operates at peak efficacy, translating cutting-edge research from universities and institutes into industrial applications with speed and precision.

Furthermore, the plenum's focus on "advancing the construction of a Digital China" provides the essential infrastructure for this transformation. A robust digital ecosystem comprising high-speed networks, industrial internet platforms, and big data analytics is the circulatory system of modern manufacturing. It enables the seamless flow of information that empowers smart supply chains, predictive maintenance, and customized production, thereby "boosting the overall performance of China's innovation system."

The green and intelligent transformation of the factory floor

Technological empowerment is inseparable from the green transition. The plenum's vision aligns sci-tech progress with the goals of building a Beautiful China. For manufacturing, this means accelerating the development of intelligent, low-carbon production systems. Advanced sensors, AI-powered analytics, and new energy technologies allow factories to optimize resource use and minimize waste, turning environmental responsibility into a source of competitive advantage. China's leadership in sectors like electric vehicles, solar panels, and energy storage exemplifies how green manufacturing, powered by innovation, is becoming a powerful new growth engine.

A confluence of strategy and execution

The recommendations for China's 15th Five-Year Plan, as articulated by the fourth plenary session, represent a powerful confluence of strategic intent and executable policy. By placing high-level sci-tech self-reliance at the heart of its agenda and linking it directly to the cultivation of new quality productive forces, China is systematically fortifying the pillars of its economic health and comprehensive national power. The empowerment of the manufacturing sector is the critical transmission belt in this process, turning technological breakthroughs into economic resilience, strategic autonomy and sustainable growth.

At a time of global uncertainty, this blueprint signals a confident transition. The world's factory is being recalibrated into the world's innovation hub. As science and technology reshape modern industry, China is leveraging its planning prowess and manufacturing scale to position itself at the forefront of this change, transforming its industrial base into a dynamic, intelligent, and green force that drives not only its own modernization but also offers solutions and opportunities for shared global progress.

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